.22 LR vs .17 HMR

Aodhan5000

Hi folks,

Got some great advice here when I was buying a shotgun a few months back and the bug might be starting to bite now as I'm looking to add to the safe.

Myself and one of my buddies have been shooting crows on the farm there recently because as many of you probably know, they do savage damage to both the ewes and lambs at lambing. We've had good results but, the grey crows are fierce wary of us and don't tend to come into range of our hide often. I wouldn't be great for estimating range but the last day we were out I'd guess they were sitting about 70-80 yards away from us generally, sometimes a tad more. Obviously that's well outside shotgun range so I'm thinking of springing on a rifle to help sort them out while also getting the opportunity to learn to shoot rifle and try target shooting as well perhaps.

But that brings me back to the 2 decade debate of .22 LR vs .17 HMR. I've been leaning towards the .22 for it's inexpensive ammo, quiet operation and because it's not a flat shooter, it'd force me to learn to account for drop, etc. But the .17 does have much better range that I would put to use in some of our bigger fields, a much flatter bullet and less ricochet. Would I be pushing my luck on crows at 100 yards with the .22? Wouldn't be shooting rabbits with it really as they don't do me much bother.

And on a slightly unrelated topic, as I've tipping away with the shotgun and getting a more consistent mount, I'm starting to think the length of pull is probably a bit long for me. I might chance a thinner recoil pad as what's on it now is a fair chunk of a yolk but is it worth going to someone who knows a bit more about the whole thing to get it fitted properly and stock shortened if necessary? I've read Pat Sludds in Enniscorthy was at least in the past the man to go to.

Thanks

slipperyox

You can't beat the HMR for up to 120 metre range crow shots.
+ 120m on non windy days.
Its not much more expensive than the 22lr, and certainly not up to centrefire costs.
It has all the advantages and no disadvantages other than noise, which a good supressor can sort out.

Did I mention accuracy? at 100m it destroys the 22lr… get one!

clivej

I've never shot the HMR always had 22lr rifles and never had problems shooting over 100m with them. But the biggest problem was to estimate the range. I used a range finder and drop chart, and a fixed Bushnell 3200 Elite, 10 x 40 scope with target turrets that I would dial in the drop with. Made for a very accurate 22lr rifle, a CZ 452 style. Head shots on rabbits at 100m not a problem.

I'm now target shooting an Anschutz 1710 that holds 30mm groups at 100m, on most days.

lmk123

I have a .17hmr mostly for crows, it’s great for it especially if feeding nuts out in the fields, I’ve shot foxes with it too, I’m finding it impossible to shoot them because they won’t even fly over / near the farmyard anymore, last year they wouldn’t land anywhere near the calves either. I suppose I should be happy really.

sniperman

i had a hmr few years back great little round on calm days,often head shot rabbits at 150 yards,but could not live with the noise Evan with a mod.and i had one of the best a wildcat whisper,now have a .22,head shooting out to 80/90 yards,and very quite using subsonic.

john_aero

I had a .17 but sold it and went back to .22.

all depends on needs, 2 local lads love the .17 for crows and magpies.

I shoot rabbits and the hmr is too big for them as needs be clean head shot. Plus for me the noise was way too much for such a tiny round.

Also hrm ammy isnt cheap, i was paying more for 50 than i was for 100 22lr. still small money

Also dont use a cleaning rod for the .17, they all break, buy a pull cord much easier.

J.R.

I've a .22 LR.

I use Eley Subsonic Extra bullets with a moderator…..very, very quiet and discreet……hardly be heard in the next field