HMR17 vs 22LR

The only shot I find that tears up a squirrel with a .17hmr is in the shoulder/leg.

Shots in the head and neck don’t destroy anything and the .17 is plenty accurate to make that happen. Way more so than a .22 could ever be.

I never hunt squirrels with my .22 any more and rarely use my shotgun. My .17 is just so accurate and fun.

With the .17, if you can see them, you can shoot them if you have a steady hold. It is that flat shooting and accurate.


ETA: I use a Savage with a heavy barrel. It will put 9 out of 10 shots in a quarter at 100 yards in a calm wind. I love the gun, but the CZ quality/fit and finish is much better and would make an awesome gun to hand down to a child/grandchild.

Almost forgot... .17hmr on WMAs is killer for hogs during squirrel season.

Buy both. Hell get 22 magnum too while you at it. There’s barrels for all three calibers.

I have it in 22lr and it’s such a great rifle.

I have the 455 and love it. GREAT squirrel rifle. Yes you can swap to at .17 barrel, pretty easy change. Even the standard .22 rounds can be to hot for a squirrel. I prefer the subsonic rounds.

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Shots in the head and neck don’t destroy anything and the .17 is plenty accurate to make that happen. Way more so than a .22 could ever be.

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In my experience, the 17 HMR destroys more of the squirrel than I want. Yeah, there's no meat destroyed w/ a head/neck shot, but when skinning the squirrel there's nothing left to hold onto w/ the squirrel skinner we use. For squirrel hunting, I prefer the 17 Mach 2 over all other rimfires. The trajectory is still much flatter compared to the 22LR, but it's not as destructive as the 17 HMR. Unfortunately, I fear the Mach 2 won't survive long-term. OTOH, I pretty much have a lifetime supply of ammo for hunting purposes. For game bigger than squirrels or shots >100 yards, I'd recommend the HMR over the Mach 2.

I have a CZ455 and you can swap between 17HMR and 22LR barrels. I bought the 17HMR version and later bought the conversion barrel for 22LR. I'm pretty sure you can buy it with both barrels included though.

You can use the same magazines for either calibre. Also, you can swap barrels without removing the scope although you will obviously have to re-sight it.

It's a shame about the Mach 2. Seems more useful to me. Consumers said otherwise.

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Looks like I'm drawn to the CZ 455, although my buddy prefers his Ruger 10/22, which he has modified. Don't know much about the Savage offerings and trying not to pay over $500. Any other manufacturers I should consider for squirrel / varmint harvesting?

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Ever looked at a Bowning Auto 22?

I have not had an opportunity to handle a Browning. My dad likes his lever action, which he purchased back in the 70's.

I also have the Speedmaster. It’s a classic and one of my favorites, but just enjoy hunting squirrels with the 17 more.

I originally got the .17 just for hog hunting WMAs when only squirrel season was open but it quickly became a favorite for squirrels.

With decent shot placement I just haven’t found any difference in damage to squirrels than using a 22 even shot in the ribs unless as I said earlier you hit them in the front shoulder. Just don’t use the Hornady varmit bullets.

Btw I clean them by slitting at the base of the tail, standing on tail, and pulling up by back legs. The hide comes off just as easy as taking off your socks.