viking Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 so witch is it guys and galls, lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) .17 mainly now, but I took the 22lr out earlier tonight and I had a nice little reminder that the rabbit sat next to the one you just shot, doesn't hear the bang of the .22 and carries on munching away, so you can shoot him too. The problem with the 17 is that you basically clear the field of rabbits after the first shot and sometimes the bullet destroys any decent meat. We fired about 10 shots in a field with the .22 and still happened to see the biggest fox stood at the top of a mound (unsafe shot and too far away for a .22) and he had his back to us! .17 for me, but my only reservation is ammo costs for it... Edited January 12, 2009 by harfordwmj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Got both. I could not live without my .22s. I could happily live without the noise and fussiness of the .17. All it serves is for the 100 yards between the .22s' max range, and where a CF becomes necessary at >200 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I use the .22 most as I don't have a .17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 .17 for me, may be noisy but I've not had it clear fields of rabbits and have regularly shot ones sitting next to each other, a few times going through 2 clips as fast as I could without having to move. Costs aren't far off shooting a shotgun so don't let that put you off, as the accuracy and ability to shoot to 150 yards plus makes it an ideal rabbit gun IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 17 is almost ever present when lamping and if i am mooching about the farm doing feeding or whatever.It is used at night for rabbits(and have never had it clear a field after 1 shot)and foxes if they are under 100 yards or foxes that need the last rights after the 22-250.In short i look upon the .22 as a poor calibre now compared to the 17hmr and only use it for rats or as a bit of a novelty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 17 most times for me. Rather than risk a 40 grain lump passing through bunny and going eck knows where I'd rather use the frangible pill that weighs less than half of the subsonic. The sonic crack is hard to locate with a decent sound moderator and I've had more follow on shots from my HMR than LR. Bunny is more relaxed about movement at the longer range too - especially if shooting from a vehicle. Yes it's more expensive but if we're being honest with ourselves is a few rounds at 20p going to be too expensive when the whole shooting package is considered? I know people who spend thousands on their hobbies - strewth just look at how much some golf clubs charge just to let members swing a stick at a ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Dave-G voiced my concern with his comment about the 20 gr. .17 HMR being frangible where the .22 might have it bullet bouncing off trees till god knows when.. There was a study done here in the US that said we have had more people killed with the .22 than any other calibre.. That was based on accidental, and intentional shootings We have a few accounts of the .22 being used in the American Civil War. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 good answers so far guys, keep em coming, Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 .22 old, very old, style weapon vastly superceded by the 'best small varmint gun' made to date...the .17HMR That's all I've got to say! Oh but then I only do about 400/500 rounds a week through it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 .22lr for me, don't have a HMR either. Don't like the ricochets but it's hard to argue with the price of running the thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet dodger Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I'm quite new to shooting and my first gun was the .22, absolutely loved it. Just got a 17 and now love that. I think there will always be a place for both, noise being an issue around livestock. The 17 comes into its own on nervous bunnies, just stay back and hit them at 100 yds +. The noise doesnt seem to be as big an issue with the rabbits as I thought it would be and as previously remarked you can hit two or three in the same field. Must admit the 17 comes out first, but always take the .22 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Shooting bunnies the HMR hunts with me 80% of the time. The .22lr stays in the safe and I often wonder why I keep it. The other 20% of my bunny bashing is done with the .223 .22lr is bloody dangerous unless your permission is hilly. None of mine is so it has to be the HMR for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDaveyBoy Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 A lot has been made of both calibres. 22 lr is very very adaptable. You will be able to fire .. 22 gallery ( florret ), 22 short, 22 long subs and super-sonics. .. you will shoot all from rats to fox with this .. larger game whilst illegal could be taken but dont .. very accurate to 150m longest but this is where you run out of legs and energy 17 HMR comes in as a good package with plenty of energy even at 200m MAX. Balistic tips. Hits with lots of energy. The issue of richochets from 22 and 17 are often compared as one is considered safer than the other. My honest experience is that 17 HMR with a half way good supressor is a noisey as 22 super sonics with supressor and both can give rise to richochets, the 22 is less noisey so you tend to hear it more often . Point is to make each shot safe eh !! Which one ?? If I wanted only one calibre Id take the 17HMR for lamping and to remove the need to guess the distances and it will make you a real killer. For fun and all round 'sport' and of course a few misses from time to time take the 22 hr .. Look at SAKO for both .. both dammed good. Price per shot : 17HMR approx 9.6 p each and the 22 is 3.5p each .. If you like the calibre ( 22 ) but want the flat tragectory of the 17 hmr look at 22-250 or similar .. Far more energy and impressive but illegal for deer in UK and too hard hitting for small fields and rabbits: Better to go for 243 and at this point youve jumped to another league: A good longer term view is to take rabbits and deer : So ideally 22 and 243 especially in small fields Be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 .22lr for me Not a fan of the noise or expense of a HMR That said, I do see it's pro's in regards to the 22lr bouncy sub debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 "Price per shot : 17HMR approx 9.6 p each" EH? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 This is a great thread - it's certainly going a long way to helping me decide between the two calibres. Many thanks for all your posts. Please keep adding them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 well due to the credit crunch i think i`ll stick with 22 lr.cheap shooting without upsetting the neighbours with noise.maybe if work picks up i may think of a 17hmr but not at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 A lot has been made of both calibres.22 lr is very very adaptable. You will be able to fire .. 22 gallery ( florret ), 22 short, 22 long subs and super-sonics. .. you will shoot all from rats to fox with this .. larger game whilst illegal could be taken but dont .. very accurate to 150m longest but this is where you run out of legs and energy 17 HMR comes in as a good package with plenty of energy even at 200m MAX. Balistic tips. Hits with lots of energy. The issue of richochets from 22 and 17 are often compared as one is considered safer than the other. My honest experience is that 17 HMR with a half way good supressor is a noisey as 22 super sonics with supressor and both can give rise to richochets, the 22 is less noisey so you tend to hear it more often . Point is to make each shot safe eh !! Which one ?? If I wanted only one calibre Id take the 17HMR for lamping and to remove the need to guess the distances and it will make you a real killer. For fun and all round 'sport' and of course a few misses from time to time take the 22 hr .. Look at SAKO for both .. both dammed good. Price per shot : 17HMR approx 9.6 p each and the 22 is 3.5p each .. If you like the calibre ( 22 ) but want the flat tragectory of the 17 hmr look at 22-250 or similar .. Far more energy and impressive but illegal for deer in UK and too hard hitting for small fields and rabbits: Better to go for 243 and at this point youve jumped to another league: A good longer term view is to take rabbits and deer : So ideally 22 and 243 especially in small fields Be good Couple of points i think, .22 Very accurate at 150 metres ? ? you must have a different one to me ! They dont compare in the ricochets department.The .22 will send bullets pinging all over the place,off anything 17hmr bullets 9.6 pence a shot !!You must be buying them by the truck load to get them at that price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 Lots of people going on about the noise issue of a 17hmr ? The one i have has a sak mod on and sounds just like a whip cracking and a whoosh of air...so i dont realy think its an issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 If i save up my pennys enough to be able to add a FAC to the cabinet then it will be a 17HMR. Why? Because it will be used on an airfeild which is very long open and flat, but mainly because a richocett on a RAF base could prove very costly if it were to hit anything such as radar, aircraft building etc. Noise isnt an issue as i currently shoot it with a shotgun and the HMR ammo is cheaper than 30g 6`s in fiber wad ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 I am not sure whether this is true, but I have heard that .177 make a right mess of rabbits, so .22 is be the better option if you want to eat your rabbits or sell them to game dealers. What's your experience of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 The .17 HMR makes a bit of a mess, on occasion. If you head shoot everything, you'll find the carcase intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 I pay 25p per shot for HMR. I've never seen it as cheap as 9p! The .22lr does have benefits if you want to shoot very cheaply or in almost total silence. I don't find the HMR loud though, and in my experience the impact noise of either bullet tends to scare a bunnies mates more than the crack of the gun anyway. I'm chucking my HMR in for a .22 Hornet. According to my guestimate it can be reloaded for around 20p per round, has roughly the same trajectory as a HMR and can also be used to take Foxes past 100 yards if need be. It should also be a lot less bullied by the wind at longer ranges. As a no worries buy bullets and shoot it calibre for small vermin, the HMR is hard to beat IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 (edited) Just got an HMR and found it to be extremely loud. Fired one off and every pigeon within a mile took off. Zeroing at the time mind you. I shall try it on the bunnies and see what happens. Absolutely amazing accuracy though!!! Heard a 22LR sun with whisper mod and that was as quiet as an air rifle. Doesn't half ricochet though as said before. Glad to hear that most of you rate the HMR. Just over 20p a shot for me. Edited July 26, 2009 by George1990 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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