.17 hmr 'vs' .22 lr

[Ira wakefield]

Unless the ground is already cleared you had better check with your local FAO that they will allow the ground to be shot over, unless I have missed that or mistaken? Or does that get covered by the FAC ?

[keg]

I am just down the road from you near Otley and i have both. You wouldn't have just one wood or one iron in your golf bag would you?

[dadioles]

I have got permission on a beef farm for rabbits and foxes. at the moment I'm using a Daysate x2 .22 air rifle for rabbits and I've got a shotgun for foxes which I haven't used yet. I'm goin to put in for my section 1 and want to know the pros and cons from people's experience of .17 and .22

cheers

 

Let's remind ourselves of the original post.

 

He has permission for rabbits and foxes on a beef farm.

 

Assuming the existing .22 air rifle is sub 12ft lbs, getting a .22lr rimfire will be a tremendous step up as it will at least double his existing range and greatly increase the killing power. There will be no increase in noise and it is very convenient. It is also good for close range fox (any other lawful quarry).

 

The .17hmr will give greater range but a lot more noise. If it is a beef farm, it suggests plenty of hedges so getting within 80 yards of a rabbit is .22lr territory.

 

If foxes are a significant problem, I do not think that any of the suggested weapons are really suitable.

 

I would start by keeping the air rifle for pigeons and rats around the farm buildings. Purchase a .22lr for rabbits, both day and night as it is quiet. Use the shotgun for birds in flight or in trees. Consider getting a small centrefire, perhaps .222 or .223 for foxes and longer range rabbits as funds and experience permits.

 

I am a fan of the .17hmr and use all of my rimfires a lot but you choose the right tool for the job.

 

For the fac application, put down .22lr and .17hmr then when the feo comes for a chat ask about small centrefire.

 

As far as form filling is concerned, your rimfire requirement is for rabbits (vermin) and any other lawful quarry. They can get a bit twitchy when it comes to putting down fox as 'good reason' and most forces will not allow that. It does not mean you cannot use rimfire for fox, just that fox should not be the reason for having rimfire.

[bullet boy]

Put in for both calibres.

Both have their place in my armoury!

Both are good for Rabbits and Foxes at sensible ranges.

ATVB.

[srspower]

I have got permission on a beef farm for rabbits and foxes. at the moment I'm using a Daysate x2 .22 air rifle for rabbits and I've got a shotgun for foxes which I haven't used yet. I'm goin to put in for my section 1 and want to know the pros and cons from people's experience of .17 and .22

cheers

 

In my area, west mercia, at the moment it's policy to not let you have a .17hmr for hunting until you can demonstrate you have been out with someone shooting vermin/game with that calibre. .22lr is fine though apparently. At least that's what the FEO told my friend recently. Quite weird given that whilst the .17hmr is roughly double the power it's a much safer round.

[kent]

In my area, west mercia, at the moment it's policy to not let you have a .17hmr for hunting until you can demonstrate you have been out with someone shooting vermin/game with that calibre. .22lr is fine though apparently. At least that's what the FEO told my friend recently. Quite weird given that whilst the .17hmr is roughly double the power it's a much safer round.

Many will dispute the closing statement myself included

[welshwarrior]

Why is 17hmr a saver round than 22lr personally I wouldn't like to be shot by either.

[Dekers]

I just don't get these type of debates, if someone favours a .22lr over a HMR, or a WMR over a Hornet, or whatever, all that says to me is their land/quarry/situation favours one calibre more than another, it doesn't say one is better than another.

 

I have a lot of different rifles and shotguns, none is better than the other, they are different, when I favour the .22lr over my .308 it doesn't make the .308 useless, or a gun I must rush out and sell, it just means the .22lr is better for that application, the next job may render the .22lr useless and I may need the .308.

 

The .22lr is a cracking and very versatile calibre just the same, I have 3 at the moment, but it can't perform to the same levels as HMR/WMR/etc..

 

[Bewsher500]

 

In my area, west mercia, at the moment it's policy to not let you have a .17hmr for hunting until you can demonstrate you have been out with someone shooting vermin/game with that calibre.

 

on what grounds?

there is no requirement for proving capability when it comes to vermin shooting (and many would argue with any other kind of shooting including deer)

When did the Police become an organisation controlling humane killing?

Their powers and jurisdiction are on security and safety....thats it

[kent]

I just don't get these type of debates, if someone favours a .22lr over a HMR, or a WMR over a Hornet, or whatever, all that says to me is their land/quarry/situation favours one calibre more than another, it doesn't say one is better than another.

 

I have a lot of different rifles and shotguns, none is better than the other, they are different, when I favour the .22lr over my .308 it doesn't make the .308 useless, or a gun I must rush out and sell, it just means the .22lr is better for that application, the next job may render the .22lr useless and I may need the .308.

 

The .22lr is a cracking and very versatile calibre just the same, I have 3 at the moment, but it can't perform to the same levels as HMR/WMR/etc..

 

I think your quite correct with the land, quarry, situation thing. Its funny because I live quite close to the OP and someone mentioned hedges being common in cattle country (quite rare in this area of the Dales though). Rabbits are either within .22 range or too far and normally too much wind for the HMR to be of much extra use