![\"Rimfire](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/17vs228.jpg\" "\\"Rimfire")
<\/a>The author discredited the .17 HMR when it was first introduced in 2002. However, after putting these two rimfires head-to-head, he’s changed his tune.<\/p><\/div>\n
The problem with .22 LR has been its consistency. Most .22 LR specific sports are shot at either 25 meters or 50 meters, which isn\u2019t ideal for training on a rifle in field conditions. Past about 50 meters, every .22 LR I\u2019ve shot starts really falling apart. This is in terms of accuracy. You need inherent mechanical accuracy at a decent range if you are going to replicate the types of shots your centerfire rifle is capable of.<\/p>\n
Yes. You can hit a target with a .22 at 1,000 yards. But it better be the size of a barn door.<\/p>\n
What I have been looking for is a cheap, accurate round with a projectile shape and ballistic coefficient that makes windy day shots valuable. After researching pellet guns, very expensive .22 LRs and electronic trainers. I have settled on the .17 HMR.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The Savage B Series offers shooters a high-quality option at an affordable price point.<\/p><\/div>\n
Savage B Series<\/strong><\/h2>\nTo be fair in testing, I matched the .17 HMR against the .22 LR in identical rifles. The Savage B series offers a variety of rimfire rifles in various cartridges at an affordable price. I was very impressed with the Savage B22 when I reviewed<\/a> it last month. Also, it turned in a most impressive \u00be inch group at 50 meters with Federal Hunter Match ammo. It might be a bit overkill, but I topped both rifles Steiner 3-15X variable power scopes, the T5Xi and M5Xi respectively. It\u2019s probably uncommon to put a $3,000 scope on a $300 rifle, but it was one way of assuring it was a fair caliber-to-caliber test.<\/p>\n![\"Rimfire](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/17vs223-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"Rimfire")
<\/a>The .17 HMR produced .5-inch groups at 50 yards and also produced at five-shot group of .5-inch at 100 yards.<\/p><\/div>\n
The only published ballistic coefficient (BC) I found was from Hornady, which lists both 40-grain .22 LR and 17-grain .17 HMR at a BC of .125. I am not sure that is correct, but at this point, a full BC extrapolation wasn\u2019t really worth the effort. The shape of the .17 HMR is more like a modern rifle bullet, while the .22 LR is rounded. The .22 LR is more than twice the bullet weight. But The .22 LR moves out at 1,200 feet per second (fps), while the .17 HMR is at 2,550 fps at the barrel. The only way to find a verified answer to which one works better was to have a shoot off.<\/p>\n
Article Continues Below:<\/strong><\/p>\nAccuracy<\/strong><\/h2>\nTo test accuracy, I first shot paper groups at both 50 and 100 yards. The .17 HMR blew the doors off the .22 LR. The B17 turned in extremely impressive \u00bd inch five-round groups at both ranges, which is better than most centerfire rifles will do. At 50 yards, the .22 LR started off well, but couldn\u2019t replicate the \u00be-inch group I shot last month. The wind was playing hell with it for certain. The B17 five-shot group remained at 1\/2 inch at 100 yards.<\/p>\n
\n- .17 HMR: 1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 .22 LR: 0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Rimfire](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/17vs225-400x267.jpg\" "\\"Rimfire")
<\/a>The Savage B-Series has the AccuTrigger, which allows shooters to adjust the trigger pull.<\/p><\/div>\n
Next, I moved on to field targets, specifically 9mm casings at 50 yards. That is a pretty small target, and a great test medium for these two rifles. The wind was blowing pretty strong during this test, 8 to 10 mph. The .22 LR left five of the 10 still standing, while the .17 HMR only left two. Considering the wind increased during the .17 HMR\u2019s phase of the test, the winner is a pretty clear.<\/p>\n
\n- .17 HMR: 2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 .22 LR: 0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Wind<\/strong><\/h2>\nThen, I moved back to 150 yards, shooting 5\u00bd-ounce juice cans. These cans are 3\u00bd inches tall, by 2\u00bc inches wide. The narrow shape should be ideal for testing wind calls, and they are reactive enough it\u2019s hard to mistake a hit. Starting with the .22 LR, the test was to try for five hits with 10 rounds. The first can I hit with the .22 wasn\u2019t the one I was aiming at, which told me a lot about wind drift. Out of the next eight rounds, I only managed one more strike. The .22 LR was really struggled to drive in the wind. Stepping up to the .17 HMR, it was an entirely different ball game. Not only did I shoot all five of the designated targets, I had enough ammo to clean up the .22 leftovers. The biggest difference I saw with the HMR is that it was predictable in the wind. I have yet to work out a wind formula exactly, but it is possible.<\/p>\n
\n- .17 HMR: 3 \u00a0 .22 LR: 0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Rimfire](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/17vs229-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"Rimfire")
<\/a>The B17 chambered in .17 HMR held up well during testing on a windy day in Idaho.<\/p><\/div>\n
Price<\/strong><\/h2>\nHere is where the .22LR beats the .17HMR, but that margin is not as big as you might think. If you are going to use .22 for precision training, you have to feed it premium ammo. The bulk bucket isn\u2019t going to cut the mustard. I used Federal Hunter Match ammo, which is some of the best .22 LR around.\u00a0That put me at a price point of about 12 cents per round. CCI .17 HMR, bought in bulk is between 18 and 22 cents per round, depending on the day. This is a close enough price point that while .22LR wins this round, I\u2019m inclined to step into the 21st-century rimfire rifles.<\/p>\n
\n- .17 HMR: 3 \u00a0\u00a0 .22 LR: 1<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Rimfire](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/17vs227-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"Rimfire")
<\/a>The B17 and B22 feature a large bolt knob that makes cycling easy.<\/p><\/div>\n
The .22 LR isn\u2019t dead, and given the sheer amount of rifles already chambered in this caliber, \u00a0it\u2019s around to stay. But it\u2019s hard to argue with our testing results of the .17 HMR. It pulled away with a three to one lead in two accuracy tests and combatting wind. It\u2019s the clear winner. There are tasks the .22 does better, but holes in paper or hits on steel isn\u2019t one of them. The B-17 is a champion, and I have added it to my arsenal. But if .17 HMR is good, does that mean .17 Winchester Super Magnum is better? Fortunately for you, that is the question we will be addressed next week.<\/p>\n
What’s your favorite rimfire cartridge?<\/p>\n
For more information about the Savage B Series rifle, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\nFor more information about Federal Match Hunter ammo, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\nFor more information about the Steiner scopes, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The .17 HMR produced .5-inch groups at 50 yards and also produced at five-shot group of .5-inch at 100 yards.<\/p><\/div>\n
The only published ballistic coefficient (BC) I found was from Hornady, which lists both 40-grain .22 LR and 17-grain .17 HMR at a BC of .125. I am not sure that is correct, but at this point, a full BC extrapolation wasn\u2019t really worth the effort. The shape of the .17 HMR is more like a modern rifle bullet, while the .22 LR is rounded. The .22 LR is more than twice the bullet weight. But The .22 LR moves out at 1,200 feet per second (fps), while the .17 HMR is at 2,550 fps at the barrel. The only way to find a verified answer to which one works better was to have a shoot off.<\/p>\n
Article Continues Below:<\/strong><\/p>\n To test accuracy, I first shot paper groups at both 50 and 100 yards. The .17 HMR blew the doors off the .22 LR. The B17 turned in extremely impressive \u00bd inch five-round groups at both ranges, which is better than most centerfire rifles will do. At 50 yards, the .22 LR started off well, but couldn\u2019t replicate the \u00be-inch group I shot last month. The wind was playing hell with it for certain. The B17 five-shot group remained at 1\/2 inch at 100 yards.<\/p>\n The Savage B-Series has the AccuTrigger, which allows shooters to adjust the trigger pull.<\/p><\/div>\n Next, I moved on to field targets, specifically 9mm casings at 50 yards. That is a pretty small target, and a great test medium for these two rifles. The wind was blowing pretty strong during this test, 8 to 10 mph. The .22 LR left five of the 10 still standing, while the .17 HMR only left two. Considering the wind increased during the .17 HMR\u2019s phase of the test, the winner is a pretty clear.<\/p>\n Then, I moved back to 150 yards, shooting 5\u00bd-ounce juice cans. These cans are 3\u00bd inches tall, by 2\u00bc inches wide. The narrow shape should be ideal for testing wind calls, and they are reactive enough it\u2019s hard to mistake a hit. Starting with the .22 LR, the test was to try for five hits with 10 rounds. The first can I hit with the .22 wasn\u2019t the one I was aiming at, which told me a lot about wind drift. Out of the next eight rounds, I only managed one more strike. The .22 LR was really struggled to drive in the wind. Stepping up to the .17 HMR, it was an entirely different ball game. Not only did I shoot all five of the designated targets, I had enough ammo to clean up the .22 leftovers. The biggest difference I saw with the HMR is that it was predictable in the wind. I have yet to work out a wind formula exactly, but it is possible.<\/p>\n The B17 chambered in .17 HMR held up well during testing on a windy day in Idaho.<\/p><\/div>\n Here is where the .22LR beats the .17HMR, but that margin is not as big as you might think. If you are going to use .22 for precision training, you have to feed it premium ammo. The bulk bucket isn\u2019t going to cut the mustard. I used Federal Hunter Match ammo, which is some of the best .22 LR around.\u00a0That put me at a price point of about 12 cents per round. CCI .17 HMR, bought in bulk is between 18 and 22 cents per round, depending on the day. This is a close enough price point that while .22LR wins this round, I\u2019m inclined to step into the 21st-century rimfire rifles.<\/p>\n The B17 and B22 feature a large bolt knob that makes cycling easy.<\/p><\/div>\n The .22 LR isn\u2019t dead, and given the sheer amount of rifles already chambered in this caliber, \u00a0it\u2019s around to stay. But it\u2019s hard to argue with our testing results of the .17 HMR. It pulled away with a three to one lead in two accuracy tests and combatting wind. It\u2019s the clear winner. There are tasks the .22 does better, but holes in paper or hits on steel isn\u2019t one of them. The B-17 is a champion, and I have added it to my arsenal. But if .17 HMR is good, does that mean .17 Winchester Super Magnum is better? Fortunately for you, that is the question we will be addressed next week.<\/p>\n What’s your favorite rimfire cartridge?<\/p>\n For more information about the Savage B Series rifle, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information about Federal Match Hunter ammo, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information about the Steiner scopes, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\nAccuracy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>\n
Wind<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Price<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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