22 mag or 17 HMR

[cophunter308]

I’ve got the itch for a new rim fire rifle. I have 3 22LR and want something different. Will mostly use to shoot squirrels or plink around the house. Can’t decide between the 22Mag and 17HMR. I’ve decided on a Henry Lever Action Rifle but which caliber should I go with and why? Thanks for your input.

 

[Timberman]

22mag. hits harder and imo is more accurate. FMJ for squirrel.

I had a Winchester 9417 that would shoot fine then for no reason just get crazy. Didn't like wind or temp changes either. Your mileage may vary.

 

[NCHillbilly]

You can get light bullets for the .22mag that will do about anything the .17 will do, but you can't get 40-grain softpoints for the .17.

 

[Nicodemus]

22 magnum, without a doubt.

 

[bany]

what they said

 

[cophunter308]

Thanks for info!

 

[HossBog]

As long as they make very light load 22 mags, which I didn't know about. But that's real overkill for plinking and squirrels. And more expensive to shoot, I think.

Way back, old Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life gun editor when I was growing up, said he'd rather be shot by about anything that 22 mag. It just goes in and starts spinning all around ripping up guts.