.22 LR vs .17 HMR: Which Should You Choose?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
For general shooting and hunting small game, choose .22 LR for affordability and versatility. Choose .17 HMR for precision varmint hunting where flat trajectory and wind resistance matter more than cost.
How This Affects Your Shooting
These two rimfire cartridges serve different purposes despite both being excellent for small game. The .22 LR dominates in training, plinking, and general use due to its low cost and wide availability. The .17 HMR fills the precision varmint hunting niche with superior ballistics at significantly higher cost per round.
The Detail
The fundamental difference lies in their design philosophy. The .22 LR pushes a heavier bullet at moderate velocity, typically around 1,200 fps with standard velocity loads and up to 1,600 fps with high velocity ammunition. The .17 HMR drives a much lighter bullet at higher velocity, generally around 2,500 fps, creating a flatter trajectory and better wind resistance.
Ballistic performance favors the .17 HMR for precision work. The smaller, faster bullet maintains velocity better over distance and shoots flatter out to 150 yards. This makes holdover calculations simpler and reduces the effect of ranging errors. The .22 LR drops significantly more and is more affected by wind, but delivers more energy to the target due to its heavier bullet weight.
Cost and availability heavily favor the .22 LR. You can expect to pay roughly three to four times more per round for .17 HMR ammunition. The .22 LR also offers much greater variety in bullet weights, velocities, and specialty loads. Finding .22 LR ammunition is rarely an issue, while .17 HMR can be scarce in some areas.
Accuracy potential varies by rifle, but both cartridges can deliver excellent precision in quality firearms. The .17 HMR typically shows its advantage at longer ranges where its flatter trajectory becomes apparent. For shots under 75 yards, a good .22 LR rifle will often match .17 HMR accuracy while costing much less to shoot.
Build Impact
If you are building a dedicated varmint rifle for prairie dogs or similar long range small game, the .17 HMR justifies its higher cost. For a general purpose rimfire that will see heavy use in training, plinking, and occasional hunting, the .22 LR makes more economic sense and offers greater flexibility in ammunition selection.