Author Topic: Rimfire advice needed  (Read 1395 times)

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Offline Specklebelly

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Rimfire advice needed
« on: June 09, 2013, 09:51:05 AM »
I have narrowed down my next gun to a Henry .22 WMR or a .17HMR.  I am really stuck with this decision and not sure which way to go. 


Ammo price is not a concern but availability is.  Which should I get and why?  I am leaning towards the WMR, but am open to either. 


Thoughts?
Specklebelly

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Offline PowPow

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2013, 10:34:23 AM »
What do you plan to shoot with it?
I went with the WMR because there is not anything to hunt around here with an HMR.
The difference between people who do stuff and people who don't do stuff is that the people who do stuff do stuff.

Offline Specklebelly

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2013, 02:46:16 PM »
What do you plan to shoot with it?
I went with the WMR because there is not anything to hunt around here with an HMR.
The largest would be fall turkey which it is now legal to do here in OK.  Other than that, mostly plinking and the occasional prairie dog. 
Specklebelly

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Offline Keith L

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2013, 02:55:56 PM »
No doubt in my mind: hmr, assuming ammo becomes available again.
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Offline Specklebelly

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2013, 03:56:20 PM »
No doubt in my mind: hmr, assuming ammo becomes available again.
Why? Can it drop a turkey?
Specklebelly

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Offline Oldshooter

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2013, 03:57:28 PM »
 I love the accuracy of the HMR. But it has its limitations, as to size of target animal, as far as I am concerned, anything the size of a fox or coon is not a sure thing unless its a head shot. Not sure about the WMR, dont have one but it may be better. Now that being said, anything out to 150 yards is a sure hit, given a still shot with a HMR . My experience.
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Offline ironglow

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2013, 04:52:22 PM »
 As Pow Pow said, It depends upon what you hunt. I have at least a couple @ of all three..
      the .22 RF has a much wider choice in available ammo..It can kill a turkey..with head shots, and do it much less expensively and with (normally) much more available ammo.  Costwise, practice is more likely often, but from what I know of prairie dogs..most would be too long a shot for normal .22 LR range.
 
  .The .22 mag has more "punch" than the other two, but only a few specimens hold a group equal to good .22 LR. (IMO).
 
  .17 HMR..most costly of the three, also the most accurate of the three, in my experience.  With it's fine accuracy, head shots on anything including turkey, is easier..  And the .17HMR reaches out further and flatter than the other two..so you can bag more prairie puppies.
 
     
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Offline PowPow

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2013, 06:01:15 PM »
HMR makes sense for Turkeys and PD's.
What model are you looking at?
I have the Frontier model in 22LR and like it. Its my open sights plinker so I can't comment on the true accuracy potential.
Its pretty; I am very careful with it and generally wear nicer clothes when I shoot it.
My WMR is a Savage bolt. It's accurate, but its an okay-to-scratch gun.
If I had gotten an HMR, it would have be a Savage bolt also.
The difference between people who do stuff and people who don't do stuff is that the people who do stuff do stuff.

Offline ironglow

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2013, 06:21:07 PM »
My current .22 mag and 17HMR  in  an NEF Sporter  I also have a .22 mag in a Savage 93 (syn) and a .17HMR in a Savage  93 (wood)are in New England and Savage ...and several .22 LRs.
  For either 22 mag or 17..I'd go with a Savage again.  That's not to slam the Henry, since I hear they are accurate also..and likely the action of your choice..  I have in recent years, I have been disappointed with the accuracy of many .22 mags...but finally took a flyer on a basic Savage 93...$179 at a local gun shop.      I was very pleased with it...because it is a REAL shooter.
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline gr8ful

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2013, 06:47:23 PM »
I'm seeing a lot more 17 HMR on the shelves than I am .22 WMR.  Like the other guys have said the .22 will have more punch, but the .17 will be more accurate.  With the 20 gr fmj bullets the 17 will kill coyotes and bobcats out to 100 yards easily.  150 yard prairie dogs are also easy.  Past that and it's te to go with a .223 anyways.

Offline popplecop

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2013, 01:24:48 PM »
Have both, but the 22WRM gets the most use and I prefer it myself.  That's only my opinion as both rifles are very accurate, both are CZs.  I know that if I would come across a coyote within 75 yards and it offer the proper shot I will kill it.
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Offline Specklebelly

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2013, 05:03:29 PM »
Thanks guys for all the comments.  I have been gone a while and have just now seen them.


Great stuff and thanks again.  I have a lot to think about and might look at the Savage in addition to the Henry.  The bad news is my plans may be on hold for a while.  I just found out yesterday I need a new roof from the latest tornado/hail storm here in OK.   :(
Specklebelly

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Mark 12:28-31

Offline Bugflipper

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Re: Rimfire advice needed
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2013, 08:29:27 PM »
I imagine both would kill a turkey just fine. I look at a 22 mag as more of a hunting cartridge and a hmr as more as a dispatching cartridge.  A 40 gr win will mushroom, acting like a big game bullet. In general most of the hmr bullets are designed to fragment. Lead strewn through a turkey like sand isn't my idea of appetizing. A 17 has it's place. I just won't use one for things I'm set on eating unless only head shooting.
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