Rossco89 Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 Looking at getting my first rimfire rifle, not wanting to bust the bank on the rifle. As above thinking about a .22wmr as quarry will mainly be rabbits, corvids and close range fox. I have been reading up and it seems the .17 is able to deal with the quarry but with a bit more range. Any opinions or experiences worth sharing? The .22lr is out due to potential for fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 The 22 WMR is a lot less likely to have problems with the ammunition so I would go for that. David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPP Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 I think the HMR ammo problems are in the past, I’ve put about 3,000 rounds through my hmr in 18 maths and only had one issue which was a Winchester round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 .22wmr all day long from 30 grain upto 50 grain , also FMJ fox out 100 yards with a shot in the bib , bunny’s and crows 200 yards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 Never owned a .22wmr so what do i know? .17 hmr is a brilliant round for rabbits, i've had mine for six years now and wouldn't change it. Thousands of rounds through my Annie, no **** whatsoever with Hornady ammunition. Fox gun is a .204 ruger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 11 minutes ago, stevo said: .22wmr all day long from 30 grain upto 50 grain , also FMJ fox out 100 yards with a shot in the bib , bunny’s and crows 200 yards +1 If we were talking solely rabbit which we're not I'd agree with Whitebridges 100%, but as fox is involved, Stevo has it. Back in the day the WMR was the smallest legal calibre for brock and it worked. If they'd been available then, would I have chosen the HMR for that purpose? Not a chance and I won't even (any more) use it for fox either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 55 minutes ago, Kalahari said: The 22 WMR is a lot less likely to have problems with the ammunition so I would go for that. David. If you can find it I’ve never had a problem with my hmr in 5 years and 1000 rounds I’d guess. its still like new as I look after it but I don’t like it for fox. I’ve lost the last one and I was annoyed. C/f for fox for me now. i asked about getting me a wmr at the shop I use and he said he just can’t find ammo for them. I think I’d like one tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 +1 .22wmr. Excellent all round calibre. This debate has come up a lot, and both have their merits. But if you wanna drop a fox tidily at sensible ranges it's the best round for the job of the 2 imo. Is this your first foray into rifle shooting? I only ask as the ranges either offer will take practice, but I've accounted for plenty of foxes with mini mags in my .22 once Ive done my bit and got them in close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 Both good guns but if fox is involved I'd say WMR. It definitely hits harder. Not had any issue buying ammo for mine. My current WMR is a CZ 452 with open sights, I can't imagine parting with it willingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8 shot Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 1 hour ago, PPP said: I think the HMR ammo problems are in the past, I’ve put about 3,000 rounds through my hmr in 18 maths and only had one issue which was a Winchester round. Nope still getting split cases on my last batch, brought in Feb/March (500 Hornadys) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 .22WMR. My Ruger M77 was a lovely little rifle and combined with the cartridge it was a cracking bit of kit. I didn’t bother with a mod’. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon Shredder. Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 For an accurate account just read Chuck Hawks comparison of the .17 hmr with the .22 wmr, says it all and no bs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertt Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Why not consider a .22 Hornet ? Probably the best ' little' .22 ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 52 minutes ago, Pigeon Shredder. said: For an accurate account just read Chuck Hawks comparison of the .17 hmr with the .22 wmr, says it all and no bs. Just a point on this article. It's somewhat dated. It's not too critical because when it gets into the nitty gritty the particular cartridge examples are not used in the calculations/performance figures. But anyone looking for some poke might prefer the WRS 40 and the Federal 50 grain loads which give 2020 and 1650 ft/sec respectively. I've used both. However, although they both remain a fine cartridge, currently the figures are now and have been for a while 1910 and 1530 respectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossco89 Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 10 hours ago, strimmer_13 said: +1 .22wmr. Excellent all round calibre. This debate has come up a lot, and both have their merits. But if you wanna drop a fox tidily at sensible ranges it's the best round for the job of the 2 imo. Is this your first foray into rifle shooting? I only ask as the ranges either offer will take practice, but I've accounted for plenty of foxes with mini mags in my .22 once Ive done my bit and got them in close. No it’s not, have used .22LR in the past and use an air rifle frequently. Point taken about gauging range ect. The general theme I’m getting is to be able to deal with any fox humanely the WMR has it. I appreciate a lot of people now have dedicated C/F for fox, but that’s not currently an option for me. Thanks as always for the replies, now to Guntrader! 1 hour ago, Scully said: .22WMR. My Ruger M77 was a lovely little rifle and combined with the cartridge it was a cracking bit of kit. I didn’t bother with a mod’. What was the noise levels like? The .22LR gives off a fair crack without a moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossco89 Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 22 minutes ago, Robertt said: Why not consider a .22 Hornet ? Probably the best ' little' .22 ever. It does seem like a decent round, however, being a C/F it’s unlikely to be granted without documented experience with rimfire. That’s the rumour anyway, also may pack to much of a punch for rabbits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Most realistic ranges at night the wmr will take the fox. I only moved onto .222 as I thought it would help on the range. Tbh I was useless (me not the calibre) past 150 yards so stuck to what I knew. Hope you enjoy it and get a few Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertt Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 I shared a Hornet, having an occasional use claus on my ticket. Shot several hundred rabbits with it. Body shot bunnies were write off but a head shot one could go in the pot. I suppose this would also apply to the both the WMR's. Did not use the Hornet much over 150y as I didn't have to. Very little was missed. Pole axed foxes ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) 29 minutes ago, Rossco89 said: No it’s not, have used .22LR in the past and use an air rifle frequently. Point taken about gauging range ect. The general theme I’m getting is to be able to deal with any fox humanely the WMR has it. I appreciate a lot of people now have dedicated C/F for fox, but that’s not currently an option for me. Thanks as always for the replies, now to Guntrader! What was the noise levels like? The .22LR gives off a fair crack without a moderator More of a prolonged boom rather than a crack, but too noisy without ear protection, which I don’t bother with when out with my .22lr. It’s still not as bad in my opinion, as the high velocity crack from the HMR. The WMR will go subsonic long before the HMR, at their comparative extremes, but it wasn’t anything I considered to be a problem as I never shoot outside what I consider to be a calibres capabilities The thud downrange from a chest shot with a .22WMR is quite satisfying. A great round. As has been mentioned, anything but a head shot on rabbits renders them very messy, if not inedible, with either round. Edited August 14, 2018 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 22wmr for me, sold it and kept the hmr, regret it now! Remington 33g works superb on rabbits and fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 I've got both and .22lr as well. Close range fox is easy with both but I've never really thought of a WMR for bunnies. So HMR...… if you add Canada Goose to the equation then WMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) Just out of interest to other owners of the wmr, what was the make of round that came in 2 case colours? I remember the brass case was all I used for bunnies but also by the same make there was a silver case which was (might sound stupid) like a mini mag (as it's already just that) and added another 20 yards easy for Mr red. Both ballistic tip. 10 years ago I last used them and I just can't remember. Also I believe both same weight head Edited August 14, 2018 by strimmer_13 Extra info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 I posted on another thread recently about subsonic WMR rounds. That would potentially push me toward WMR over 17HMR if I had to make that choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) 22 minutes ago, strimmer_13 said: Just out of interest to other owners of the wmr, what was the make of round that came in 2 case colours? I remember the brass case was all I used for bunnies but also by the same make there was a silver case which was (might sound stupid) like a mini mag (as it's already just that) and added another 20 yards easy for Mr red. Both ballistic tip. 10 years ago I last used them and I just can't remember. Silver and brass cases, 30-40g and different speeds! Edited August 14, 2018 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Cheers dekers, pretty sure it was ballistic tip tho as I kinda thought it was a gimmick but they did work well. Hard as hen's teeth to get hold of to. Poa was about 2" higher at 100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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