Pros and cons of .22 RF and 17 HMR

[GOoch]

Hi

I've been pondering over the last few days.
.22 RF or 17 HMR.
I've had a CZ .22 RF and a Ruger 10/22 in the past but after getting back into shooting after some time away from the sport, I'm probley leaning towards the 17 HMR.
I got the chance to shoot a CZ 17 HMR on the weekend, have to say i was more than impressed.

I've been on YouTube and had a really good look about seeing different perspectives ect

What kind of prices am i realistically looking at for 17 HMR rifles.

As you guys seem clued up on all things Rim Fire what are your thoughts, pros / cons ect.

[Les]

Unless you have permissions to shoot on, you might not get a .17HMR. Most clubs don't allow them, so it depends what type of shooting you want to do.

[GOoch]

I've got permission for rabbit shooting.
How come clubs don't like them.?

[saddler]

I've got permission for rabbit shooting.
How come clubs don't like them.?

Range safety cert reasons....

[saddler]

.17 rimfire ammo can be both pricey & prone to misfires/quality issues.

.17 centre-fires would be more cost effective on ammo & allow up or down loading & cheap lead bullets, etc.

[Rockhopper]

you don't get much rabbit left if you shoot them with a .17HMR. 22 is much better.

[DaveB]

.17 rimfire ammo can be both pricey & prone to misfires/quality issues.

Pricey yes. However I've had a .17 HMR for several years now, and I have never had a misfire or any quality issues.

The .17 HMR is much flatter-shooting than .22RF, and hits out to 125m are easily made. But, like everything else, it's horses for courses. I have found it to be devastating on rabbits, but hares usually take two shots. The first knocks them down and the second finishes them off.

[Blackstuff]

The downside of 17HMR are the noise (can't be fully suppressed), cost and potential damage to meat yield (unless headshots are taken). The upside is lazer like trajectory to 100-120m, literally just point and click. It also has a smaller ricochet risk than .22lr. If you're not bothered about the meat, can afford it and you're not going to get noise complaints, 17HMR is a sound choice for rabbits.

[Kungfugerbil]

You'll find plenty of HMR rifles second hand, often barely used. I think the ammo cost, restrictions on use (no indoor clubs) count against it. It's no doubt a cracking round and adds a solid 25yds plus onto a bunny shot over LR, but I think people are realising a .22 is a bit more versatile.

[Airbrush]

Get both, hmr for vermin & a .22 semi for fun & vermin.