First rifle .17 or .22?

Island mike

Hi I'm 22 and I'm thinking about buying my first rifle, mainly for target shooting and clearing some rabbits from my fathers land.
I'm looking at .17 rifles and they seem like they would do the job but my cousin swears by the .22 and he has been shooting longer then me.
Anyway I was wondering would anyone have any advice about which would better suit me and if I would have any problems obtaining a license for either type, this being my first time to maybe buy a gun and apply for a license

Thanks

sniperman

hi there and welcome,i would advise you to get a .22 as a first gun and get some experience before moving on to a hmr,thats what i did,i think you would find it easier to get a 22 licence first,i had my 22 licence in 3 weeks,but it varies from place to place,some wait much longer

Cass

Also the .22 allows for comps and a lot of different types of target shooting. The .17hmr is not used either as much or at all in rimfire comps. So other than plinking for the craic it's pointless.

however for longer range hunting it'll beat the .22lr. So you really need to think about which is the most important to you or you'll be doing the most of. Targets or hunting.

garv123

If you'll be shooting targets ammo for the .17 can vary from 15-20 per 50 depending where you buy it compared to the .22 probably around 6-8 per 50 or around that.

If it was for more hunting id go for the hmr myself for longer range shots.
It is louder than the .22 though and you cant get subsonic ammo for it.

gearoidol

how big are the fields where you will be shooting ?

If most of your shots will be < 100 yards get a .22 if they will be alot of longer range shots possible 100 - 180 yards you will have a fair grin with a hmr

One shot on kill

I have a 22 and would be very hesitant in trading it for a hmr.

Hmr are suppose to be a great gun alright but th 22 is great crack and very cheap to run. It will do rabbits at 80 yards no bother and great for target shooting comps. Ok hmr gives longer ranger but ammo is twice the price.

In my opinion mastering a 22 from anywhere from 30-40 to 80-100 yards it will take time and not easy done and the crack you have doing it is great. It's by no means difficult done but will take plenty of practice and ammo.

Island mike

Thanks guy all great advice I have my eye on a 22 now lol.
The land is pretty big n well off the beaten track serounded by about 400 archers of commage as well will manly be shooting targets and the odd rabbits and might joint the lads shooting pheasant at Christmas.
I've been living in London the past 12 months ill be moving back to Galway in a couple of weeks. I'm planning on getting a gun safe put in my fathers house which is on an island where I'd plan to keep the gun.
Would I have much issue getting my lisence? I seen in another forum that you may not be able to apply for a lisence if u have lived abroad for awhile.

garv123

Island mike wrote: »

Thanks guy all great advice I have my eye on a 22 now lol.
The land is pretty big n well off the beaten track serounded by about 400 archers of commage as well will manly be shooting targets and the odd rabbits and might joint the lads shooting pheasant at Christmas.
I've been living in London the past 12 months ill be moving back to Galway in a couple of weeks. I'm planning on getting a gun safe put in my fathers house which is on an island where I'd plan to keep the gun.
Would I have much issue getting my lisence? I seen in another forum that you may not be able to apply for a lisence if u have lived abroad for awhile.

You wont be allowed shoot pheasant with a rifle, you´ll have to get a shotgun for that, which you could also use for shooting clays and rabbits.

Target shooting cannot be dont legally outside a range so do not put target shooting down if you´re not a member of a range.
You can shoot clays with a shotgun outside of a range I think.

Are you irish or an irish citizen? I dont think there would be issues if you were.

One shot on kill

If your Irish and lived here all your life apart from the year in london. I couldn't see it been a problem.

As far as target shooting goes by law your not allowed shoot targets outside of a range. But if you put that down for ammo allowance and still have Sufficient land details to cover your license. I think that should be ok.

Just because a range isn't on your license it doesn't mean your not a member of one or intent joining one when you can. (As far as I know ). Some else might clarify if I'm wrong.
But do make sure you leave them in no doubt your have enough land to shoot.

Oh ye welcome to the asylum.

Island mike

garv123 wrote: »

You wont be allowed shoot pheasant with a rifle, you´ll have to get a shotgun for that, which you could also use for shooting clays and rabbits.

I wasn't aware of that thanks, I should have the use of my fathers shotgun in that case

Island mike

One shot on kill wrote: »

As far as target shooting goes by law your not allowed shoot targets outside of a range.

I don't think there's any ranges in Galway and I don't know where the nearest one is?

FISMA

Island mike,
I have had many calibers in my lifetime and the one that has always been in the safe has been the 22lr.

If you are like me, you'll like to shoot a few thousands rounds, the .17 is a great round, but its cost is considerably more.

The 22LR is also as great to learn on as it is to learn about. In my opinion, you'll get a better understanding of ballistics by shooting the 22.

cavan shooter

Go for a 22lr, no safe shouldn't have one then save up for a 17. a 22 with subs and a moderator will give hours of fun.

Soupy2

Have a deposit on a .22 was getting concerned I wouldn't have the range 100 yards seems close when measured, was worried I should have went with .17 but this thread has reassured me. Thanks.

Are there any more active forums/threads for small caliber rabbit / fox shooting??

tikkamark

The biggest + for me with the .22lr is how quiet they are with subs and a moderator….the .17hmr is a fantastic tool for vermin too but has a fairly loud crack to it even with the moderator

JP22

Mike.

Get a .22, you can't go wrong with one.

Plenty of info here on RF rifles and hunting in general.

https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/reviews/rifle/22-rimfire-bolt-action-rifles-review

minktrapper

I have been using CCI Quiet and CCI Longs both in .22 for the last few years. Very accurate out to 40yds and quieter than most air rifles. Excellent for rats and vermin at close range. The .22 long rifle is an excellent rifle. But if you have enough money to purchase a PCP air rifle you will have an excellent tool for shooting around sheds. Cheap ammo and safer.

Chiparus

I have had a remington SA and a Anschutz BA in .17 hmr , and a CZ and a ruger in .22.

Definite prefer the .22 for accuracy, quietness and general ease of ownership.

The accuracy issue was because the .17 needed a lot of cleaning , with accuracy falling off for me after 50 rounds

Yes I know this thread is 9 years old.

slipperyox

My tupence worth, you mentioned you live on an island?

Well, its going to be windy, and not built up, and as an Island I'd presume rocky?

If this is the case, a 22 will ricochet A LOT, the 17 hmr is safer as its got more velocity and is more frangible, It also trumps the accuracy of the 22 beyond 80 to 200 yards easily. It may cost more per ammo, but with a supressor, is tame, accurate, and you will regret missed shots with a 22 beyond 80 yards.

JP22

17hrs is a great round but over 100+ yds its susceptible to crosswinds.

slipperyox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118376083#Comment_118376083

But still much less than a 22

JP22

True, but IMHO nothing beats an accurate .22. The 17’s are expensive to feed, you would really need to be on fox most of the time to justify the ammo costs plus no club comps for 17’s.

With a really good accurate 22LR you cover all bases from plinking, general small game, vermin and the ability to shoot local comps in a club. It’s cheap shooting with a .22.

Rounding up costs for box of 50 rds - 22LR approx €7.50, 22WMR approx €17, 17HRM approx €22.

End of day if OP has the bucks, does not shoot comps, then ammo cost is probably irrelevant.

Each to their own as they say, and there are plenty of choices out there for all of us.

Keep safe.

Feisar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118376458#Comment_118376458

That's a funny one, run the numbers between a HMR and a subsonic 22LR, they aren't worlds apart.

Edit - out at 150 yards