17 HMR or 22 Mag?

[cgturner7]

Thinking of buying a plinking gun (cans, coons, rabbits, possums, etc).  Which would be better and it what rifle?  I'm leaning towards a Henry lever just because I've always wanted a lever gun since my first Model 94 replica BB-gun.  Does the 17 HMR offer anything more than cost of ammo?

[KN]

In my opinion coons would be a bit large for the 17HMR. It is more suited for smaller vermin like prairie dogs and such. As for cost, the 17HMR ammo is still around $8 a box where I live so the 22mag would be far cheaper. Although I love my 17HMRs I would probably limit my use of them to cat sized animals and smaller.   KN

[Lawdog]

cgturner7,

'KN' has hit the nail on the head.  Even the newer 20 gr. loads for the .17 HMR is to explosive for use on larger critters.  And for any small game you plan on eating you will be better off with the .22 WMR.  The .17 HMR just tears up squirrels and small bunnies way too much.  Lawdog