Chime in on the magnum rimfires please.

[Bugflipper]

 Hello,
I have a small farm and always have a rifle handy on the tractor or utv when doing chores. Currently I use a .223 bolt action for this duty. I could get by with a 22lr 80% of the time, but really don't want to be undergunned. Predation is my major concern, but also take out groundhogs since they make holes my animals can break legs in.
 As for animals I dispatch in order of population greatest to least. Opposum, raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote and bobcat.
 So are these magnum rimfires powerful enough for me? My .223 is a 300 yard walkabout with a 3-9x.

[yooper77]

The magnum rimfires cant beat the 223 Rem in powder or range.  Sounds like you have the best setup so far.

If you were to choose a magnum rimfire, I would look at the 22 WMR for varmints.

I have a Marlin bolt action rifle, clip fed 22 WMR that is very accurate out to 150 yards.

yooper77

[bilmac]

I've been thinking about aquireing a mag rimfire too. Seems to me that right now the 22WMR would be a better choice than the 17s. I assume you are looking for a beater if it is to be a tractor rifle. I am thinking that it should be a buyers market on 22mags right now, probably lots of good used ones for sale by the guys who always have to have the newest fad. And besides that, I think that except for trappers and people who shoot LITTLE varmints the 22 is the better choice.

[Bugflipper]

Yes, looking for a beater. The .223 stays out in the tractor shed, locked of coarse. It's just an old savage package rifle with a light contour barrel. I was kind of hoping to get a rimfire so it would be a bit lighter when I'm walking the fence perimeter clearing downed limbs.
Thanks guys keep em coming.

[mcwoodduck]

the 17 HMR will do about 90% of what you want.  less pelt damage to the larger beasts.  Good ballistics out to 200 yards.  But will not have the range that your 223 does. 
The new 30 to 34 grain hollow points out of the 22 mag are really neat and do mean things to varmints and vermin but they only increase the range of the 22 mag out to 200 yards from 150.  Then again the cost of the rounds may justify the cost of the new rifle depending on how much you shoot.
A box of the mag stuff will cost you 13 to 18 a box of 50 depending on what you get in the fantastic range with either the 17 or the 22.  the standard 40 grainers work well and are only about 8 to 10 a box.
I like the FMJ's for bigger things but have switched to the Remington 33 grain Ballistic tiped bullets or the Win 34 grain JHP's for most of my 22 mag varmint needs and use the 17 grain Hornady  bal tip for everything out of the 917V.

[mag-check]

 The rimfire magnums were made for what you want to do on your small farm there quite with all the power youll need you can go with the 30 or 35gr. for the 22 mag I like the Win Supremes and with the HMR the V-maxs can't be beat! I hunt alot of small farms shooting crows and small varmints and the owners don't want any centerfire on there place they don't like the loud report and there just to much gun to be shooting around the live stock. Me and a buddy were talking just the other day about how much we liked the 17HMR for shooting on are small farms they just work great!

[bilmac]

Is there any difference that you guys can see between the 17 and 22 when we start talking bigger tougher critters like badgers and coyotes.

[mcwoodduck]

I have both and we take fruit and potatoes out to the range and shoot at them.  The potatoes are the best targets.  When you center punch them they make huge white balls, patato about 3 to 4 feet round.  Up close the 17 has the advantage and that little bullet really makes a big ball of mashed potato.  When you move out to 100 to 150 the 22 mag has a little more of an advantage.  When you move out past that the 22 has a big advantage.  I'm talking like for like bullet designs.  Hornaday ballistic tip for the 17 and the 33 grain Ballistic tip by Remington for the 22 mag.  The advantage the 17 has past 150 yards is it is still flying pretty strait and it is easier to hit the baking potato than with the 22 mag.
When we have shot cantalope or basket ball sized water mellons with both, the 22 mag makes bigger holes on the larger targets. The last one I remember was the 22 mag at 100 yards made a hole the size of a quarter leaving with the 33 grain rems and with the Win 34 grain JHP it made a quarter sized hole entering and a 22 hole leaving.  The 17 made it's BB sized hole entering and about a nickel sized hole leaving but there were more cracks in the rind around the hole than with the 22.  We were using water mellons to see what effect the different bullets had on something the size of a Coyote.  We figured the inside of a water mellon would make a good model for lungs. 
I think if you stick a hole in the boiler room on a critter with either out to 175 yards both will work well.

[mag-check]

I own a 17HMR and a 22 magnum had a 5mm mag and I think they are pretty close in killing power on larger small game kinda like shooting a whitetail with a .270 or 7mm08 I don't think the deer is going to know the difference. But because of the larger frontal are of the 22 magnum bullet if had had to chose between the two I think I would pick the 22 magnum and my bullet would be the Winchester 40gr. HP. Some where on the internet a guy was shooting the 22 mag and HMR into ballistic gel and the Win 40gr. HP out performed them all on mushrooming and penetration.

[Ladobe]

As for animals I dispatch in order of population greatest to least. Opposum, raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote and bobcat.    So are these magnum rimfires powerful enough for me?

Depends on the ranges each are most often shot at.     

I grew up on a working ranch and all the farm tractors/vehicles had a 22 rimfire rifle on them for pest control.   Everything up to mule deer was shot with them using any of the 22 short, long or long rifle ammo that was handy.   The kills were not always humane, but the bunny huggers were not around in the 40's & 50's.   IMO, any rimfire is marginal for bigger game (including coyote).   

That said, the rimfires can all do the job with well placed shots at close enough ranges.   But the margin for error is a pretty small window with rimfires if your ethics dictate humane kills, and that window gets smaller as the range increases.   

Is there any difference that you guys can see between the 17 and 22 when we start talking bigger tougher critters like badgers and coyotes.

I'd opt for the 17HMR over the 22MAG between the two.   It shoots a little flatter which helps with better shot placement and it delivers ample hydrostatic shock to the animal within range.   I've dropped a bobcat in its tracks at 75-80 yards and a few coyotes both closer and farther with a 17 HMR, but only because I was doing other ADC for ranchers on smaller pests when the predators (who were also on the hit list) came into play.   I normally use more gun when I call in predators and I have used 17's almost exclusively for predator and varmint hunting for many years.   But they are mostly wildcat centerfires that deliver huge doses of shock to the animal out to long ranges.

[Bugflipper]

These are the sheep I raise. I have two Anatolian sheep dogs that protect them and have never lost one. I used a 22lr for years, results were fair. I'm starting to lean towards a rimfire magnum due to the cheaper price of ammo.
 I do predator hunt and trap, so along with the dogs the system is working. I've been readind 22 wmr vs/ 17 hmr threads on line. It seems there is a cci bullet for the 17 that is a bit harder and may serve my purpose. On the other hand, that's only one bullet, there are probably a dozen or better for the 22.
 Basically the cost of reloading components have prompted this inquiry.  So please keep the posts coming.

[Glanceblamm]

It seems there is a cci bullet for the 17 that is a bit harder and may serve my purpose.

This may be the 20gr Game point ammo for that .17...We, the son in law and I,  shot a few of these at a light guage stainless plate @ 100yds and they would make a bigger dent than I thought they would.

[hotrunner]

I realize you're asking about rimfires, but have you considered a .22 Hornet? The only rimfires own since I got a Hornet are one .22 mag and one .17 HMR. Had a NEF Handi-Hornet and used it as a barn/tractor gun but traded for a Savage (which is heavier and longer.) The only issue with the NEF is the trigger; you can send it to the factory and they'll lighten it for a nominal charge. Even if you shoot factory ammo, you could buy a lot with the $ saved on the $230 Handi. If you choose to reload, I've heard that using small pistol primers increases accuracy.
My little .17 NEF Sportster is another good-shooting rimfire option (you can add a .22  WMR bull barrel to it, also.) A blued Henry or a used Winchester 9422M lever gun would be ideal, also. For the ultimate in a small, quick-handling WMR or HMR in a semi-auto, check out Accelerator rifles. www.excelarms.com

[Graybeard]

Anyone heard from Bugflipper lately? He hasn't logged in for almost six weeks now. I sent an e-mail to him asking if he was OK but got no reply. I know he was going on a trip but was scheduled to return shortly from it and I was to go up and visit with him but haven't seen hide nor hair of him in quite some time. Makes me wonder if all is OK with him.

[Ladobe]

It seems there is a cci bullet for the 17 that is a bit harder and may serve my purpose.

This may be the 20gr Game point ammo for that .17...We, the son in law and I,  shot a few of these at a light guage stainless plate @ 100yds and they would make a bigger dent than I thought they would.

Or maybe the CCI 17 gr. TNT in the 17HMR.   I've shot them a lot and they do a lot more damage at long ranges than the 17 gr. Hornady V-Max's do.    Have killed some bigger game with them at surprising ranges.

[kevinsmith5]

The OP didn't mention if he reloads for the .223.  If he does I can't see changing to a rimfire with the low cost of reloading for .223. 

[backstrap]

I have both 17HMR and 22 mag and if i had to buy 1 rifle to do what u are wanting to do it would be the 22 mag,cheaper ammo than the 17HMR,the 17 would do the job on skunks,coons,opposum, but i think a 22mag would work better on the badger,fox,bobcat and coyote,it has a heavyer bullet and would penatrate deeper, those 17HMR v-max dont penatrate that deep they blow up pretty quick,so i think u need a 22mag this is just my 2 cents worth

[GeorgiaDave]

Hello from Georgia,

   In my opinion, it may be better to stay with the .223. It is no doubt more effective on ANYTHING that you shoot when compared to a rimfire. While a good .22WMR or .17 HMR would likely be effective as well, there is no comparison to the .223. There may be times when you actually need the superior performance and wished you had the centerfire. If you are just looking for something different, maybe consider a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. I have a stainless Laminated in .223 and I LOVE IT !! It is not the most accurate rifle I have but is plenty good for what I use it for. The accessories are numerous, and it is easy to cary. With a few 10 or 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 round clips you will likely never find your self undergunned. Just some things to consider.

   I might also suggest another option. A good New England Firearms Handi Rifle in 45-70 will no doubt perform well on those pesky critters. Mine has proven to be a good varmint round. And, if you ever find yourself facing a charge from a bison, moose, or Great Bear, you will be more prepared. 405 gr. bullets are plenty when loaded near max load. Seriously, I feel everyone should have one of these rifles. Good Luck and God Bless.

Dave