Rifles

Bill in IL · Jul 9, 2009

I have been thinking about upgrading my .22LR to either a 22 mag or .17HMR lately. Just not getting enough power for a quick clean kill on coons and skunks without a head shot as you know you don't always get them.

I know the .17 will be faster giving it more of a suction effect but witch will be more effective in killing power. Range is not much of an issue looking at 50yrds at the most.

Bill(Wis) · Jul 9, 2009

Ballistics data available online at any ammo/rifle mfg website. Good stuff.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2009

I think you would be better served with the .17 HMR which is based on the .22 Mag case. I have shot a lot of woodchucks and a few coons with mine and it is surprising how lethal it is for such a small round. I have not used it on any skunks.

brian brooks · Jul 9, 2009

22mag would be better due to the heavier bullet and it is cheaper.

MN Scott · Jul 9, 2009

Go with the .17. Its really a sweet little cartrige. I love mine, have yet to have a varmit move after a hit from one. I have a 22 mag to and the slower bullet is not nearly as deadly, much less impact energy. As for cost a box of 22 mag and .17HMR are the same price around here.

Stan(PA) · Jul 9, 2009

Coincidentally, I use a .22 Mag, and I was thinking about getting a ,22 LR, because of the noise. I live fairly close to a couple subdivisions, so I'm looking for a round with a bit less "crack". Which is quiter, the .22 LR, or the .177? Any other suggestions welcome...

TimV · Jul 9, 2009

I have both, and have had very poor luck with the .17 HMR on woodchucks and other varmints, to the point it's on (probably permanent) "loan" to my brother who doesn't have a .22 but does occasionally need a small gun for dispatching varmints. The tiny bullet the .17 uses is also very prone to wind drift, even at short yardages. I've went back to using the .22 for nearly everything except long shots, and the .222 for those.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2009

Instead of switching rifles, did you try switching ammunition? Hollowpoints are very good, but the best I've used is the CCI Small Game Bullet( I think they call it SGB) it has a flat nose and is wicked on anything I've shot.
Try different ammo before going to a new gun.
Otherwise you could use the Ol' 12 gauge with #3 buck. (not triple ought buck) it really peels the old coons right out of the trees!
Cal

Jared M · Jul 9, 2009

The .17hmr lacks knock down power compared to a 22mag but makes up for it in accuracy for better shot placement. I have heard of .3" groups at 100 yds from them, but bullet selection is important and I would only trust CCI ammo. As far as a rifle I am looking at getting a Savage 93 in 17hmr, the accutrigger is sweet and Savage is reasonably priced with great accuracy. Marlins also come highly recommended.

Bill in IL · Jul 9, 2009

Well that was on thing I realized after putting 3 rounds in a skunk as it continued going throught the culvert. I was using target loads and not hypervelocity hollow points. I unloaded the one and reloaded for next time.

jmortimer · Jul 9, 2009

I have a single shot .22 mag and it is my favorite rifle. It is accurate and with CCI shot shells is perfect for killing rattle snakes.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2009

The .22lr is quieter than the .17hmr which is similar to the .22mag it is derived from.

tjdub · Jul 9, 2009

> Just not getting enough power for a quick clean kill on
> coons and skunks without a head shot as you know you
> don't always get them.

Maybe there's something wrong with your live trap?

Dave 2N · Jul 9, 2009

Disagree with you about what you are calling "knockdown power." My experience with the .17HMR is that it will blow up a woodchuck into a red, misty spray.

As far as the .3" acuracy-yup and for sure on a calm day if there isn"t a breath of air stirring. Still in all, I think the .17HMR is a bit better than a .22 magnum.

Dave 2N · Jul 9, 2009

Bingo!!

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2009

You are using the wrong bullet,Try hollow points.

Fawteen · Jul 9, 2009

I couldn't decide either, and have both. The last varmint I killed was a fox with the .22 Mag. One shot with not particularly good placement (high and a bit too far back) killed it deader'n a hammer.

Haven't had the opportunity to fire at anything but paper with the .17 yet, but with the BSA "Sweet 17" scope on it, I can hit anything I can see. I have a squirrel-sized steel silhouette target than I can knock over at 100 yards every shot until I get tired of walking up and setting it back up.

Mike M · Jul 9, 2009

Try a 22 hornet.

MarkB_MI · Jul 9, 2009

It's time to move up to centerfire rifles. .17 HMR ammo is not cheap. Availability of centerfire ammo is bad right now but it will improve. With a centerfire rifle you can tailor your ammo to any situation. I load my .22-250 (typical velocity ~3500 fps) down to .22 Hornet velocities (~2000 fps) using light loads of SR4795 powder.

Bret4207 · Jul 9, 2009

Either try some decent 22 LR ammo or get a 22 mag or go CF like some other guys said. The 17 may not be around in 10 years. The mag will.

Clarkbug · Jul 9, 2009

I know you are probably going to get about as many different answers as there are posts on here.

There is a lot to be said from switching out your ammo to a different load. Try a few changes to some hollow points or varmint loads and see if that helps, just because thats cheaper to start with. If you still are having bad luck, then take a look at changing guns.

Several folks I know are very happy with the .17 for critters. Very high velocity, makes for a nice flat trajectory. You dont need the "stopping power" of a heavier bullet since you have the velocity to compensate. Once you are sighted in, its pretty much a flat shot with no drop at 50 yards. The loads with the plastic ballistic tips on them really do a number on the small stuff. I dont know about something like a fox, but for skunks and whatnot it should work great.

My father had an old 5mm (they stopped making cartridges for that back in the 80's I think) and was able to get the bolt re-cut and a custom loading die, so he now re-loads for that caliber. Probably not an option for you, but that makes for a GREAT varmint cartridge.

Bill in IL · Jul 9, 2009

You bet there is.

Its not always set in the right place at the right time.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 10, 2009

I like my Ruger min i 14 ranch rifel in .223 it will do the job on almost any varmintand the ammo isnt too costly

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