Just wonder IF?

[jh45gun]

Just thinking the 17's popularity is evident from what we see on the gun web sites. Expecally for a new caliber. Also I think these forums have helped with the popularity of certain guns and gun activities. I was just wondering if the internet and the computer would have been as big and accessable when the 5mm came out I wonder if it would have been a hit also instead of fading into obscurity? What are your Views. Have to do something to get this forum livened up!  Jim

[John Traveler]

As I recall, the introduction of the 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum in the '70s flopped not because the cartridge was found wanting, but because the only two Remington factory rifles made for it were  recalled due to burst case head failures.

Also, the question remains "What is the .17 rimfire caliber good for?"  I for one, would like to hear about this!

[jh45gun]

Not knocking the 17 those that like it fine but I may be wrong on thinking this but I bought a 22 mag for more ammo choices and weights of bullets besides 1 maker and 17 grain bullet. The 17 Rimfire fans state the round is good for over 2500 fps and compare it to the 40 grain rounds at 1900 feet FPS. that is quite a difference! They do not say anything that I have seen about the 30 0r 33 grain bullets rated at over 2200 fps which narrows the difference! So now it is more like apples and oranges plus if the round continues to be popular I am sure that the 22 mag ammo makers will try to close the gap velocity wise yet use a heavier bullet than the 17. Jim

[jhm]

I am like you on the computer thing I believe that if we had had them back when the 5mm was around and we could have talked up the strength and weakness of the round it might have had a chanch, I owned a remington rifle and a t c contender barrel also chambered in the 5mm neither was so great that I couldnt live without them but I just hate to see ammo make a gun obsolete, I also think with the new 17 the ammo manufactures like you say will start looking at the 22 mag a little closer so as to close the gap between the 17 and the 22 mag.   JIM

[massenrg]

I think we are all faily aware of the differences in velocities of the .22 mag and .17 Hornady.  The .17s are subsancially faster than the 40 grainers.  However, what are the differences in bullet energy?  Does anyone know?  I'm just curious about this.

I think the 40 grain .22 mag (fired from a 21 inch barrel)  has between 340 and 360 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle.  It's a little more powerful than a .38 special.

[KN]

I think the really big draw for the 17 HMR is the trajectory. Look at the charts, its really pretty amazing for such a small round.  KN

[MI VHNTR]

The 22 Mag has approximately 25% more energy than the 17 HMR. The 17 has a flatter trajectory from about 120 yards and out. This is well beyond any range that I'd use it anyway. That being said, I've got a Remington 597 LS in 17 HMR and I'm waiting for a 22 Mag barrel to arrive for it. That way, I've got both magnums. MI VHNTR