VINNYB

Alright what one owuld be the better rimfire for gopher shooting from 50-175 yards?
The 17HMR or the 22WMR?

HighDesertWolf

I cant really say one is better then the other they both do a good job on gophers, but the 17 HMR is alot flatter shooting.

Highpower

I'm sure this will start a firestorm but, I think 175 yards is pushing either one of these rounds. I really limit myself to just over 100 yards with the .17 simply because it sure gets pushed around by a little wind. Just my $.02.

SHoNUFF

i you already have a 22mag keep it and use it, If you dont have either one buy the .17hmr. i shoot about the same groups as my buddy does and he gets pissy =). But like i said if i HAD to buy a new rifle it would be the .17hmr

trailer

You’re not going to get any argument with me Highpower. That little .17 does get pushed around in the wind. I’ll get great groups at 50 yards but when shooting 100 yards my accuracy drops. Especially on a windy day. The 22WMR might be better but I wouldn’t know, I’ve never had one.

GooseHunter Jr.

I have a .17HMR and love it reall accurate out to about 150-175 yards after that no as good and yes the wind will kick that little bullets butt.....but they sure are fast movers!!

zrexpilot

You should look into the .22 Hornet. better than both cartridges, but then a .222 would be better, but then a .223 would be better, but then etc...etc..etc..... LOL.
nah but serious,.22 hornet is one bad little round. but costs a bit more to shoot.

gopher slayer

17hmr Great gopher gun thats whati bought mine for, Ive hit gophers at 155 yards so far and 120 in a strong wind, i just had to lead it a bit, aftera whiel u get the hang of it. If you would like to see some pics of teh gohper after its hit the teh ballistic tips Pm me.

Paul L Mohr

For gophers the .17 would be better in my opinion. That is what this cartridge excells at. Long distance small varmint shooting, like gophers and P dogs. It has plenty of energy to take one down at those ranges, especially with the vmax type bullets explosive characteristics.

I will agree the .22 mag probably fairs better in the wind, but it doesn't shoot as flat and most .17's are a tad more accurate out of the box.

For larger game at longer ranges the .22 mag is probably better, but now they have the heavier XTP bullets for the .17's so it's getting to be a decent all around gun. Still no where near the weights of a .22 mag though. If you increased the bullet weight that much it would be a .22 mag since it's based on the same cartridge.

Also agree that a centerfire would be better. You would get more energy and more range out of them. And a .223 might even be as cheap or cheaper to shoot with cheap ammo. Not the case with premium ammo though. I don't know about handloading, I don't do it.

I own a savage 17hmr with a 6.5x20 Alaskan guide scope. It's a pretty impressive little rifle for 200 bucks (without the scope and rings, those cost twice what the rifle did!). There are rifles with better fit and finnish and feel for more money, but not really more accurate. That is the biggest seller for these little guns, they are very accurate right of the box in most cases.

I have not heard great things about the rugers in the accuracy department though, but the marlins and savages are renowned for being very accurate at a low cost.

Check out Rimfire Central, they have a whole forum dedicated to .22 mags, 17hmrs and the new 17hm2, which seems to be awsome for tree rats.

Good luck,
Paul

sot_II

.22 easy.

As to range, I dump them both at 200 yards all the time. Not really that big of an issue save on really windy days.