22 Mag or 17 HMR or 17 HM2?
 

I've decided that my New Years present to myself this year will be a left handed Savage in either 22 Mag , 17 HMR or 17 HM2. While it might occasionally get used for pest control the main use will be at the local 100 yd rifle range. I have rifles in both Mag and HMR, I've just decided I want another left handed bolt gun except in a caliber for which I don't feel compelled to reload.

So which would you choose and why?

I would get .22mag, find it to be more readily available in my area.

I'd hold out for a Savage in the new .17 Hornet that is coming out next year! But, that's me 'cause I'm a reloader!

I've never shot the .17HM2...but between the .22 Winchester magnum and the .17HMR..I would go .22 magnum myself.

I own both .22 mag and .17 HMR. handguns, and the .17 will shoot groups at 100 yds the same as my Colt New Frontier shoots at 25. I have a Savage 93 pre accu-trigger .17 HMR that shoots MOA or better at 100 yds. I would go with the .17 HMR handsdown, besides, it's a cool looking cartridge!

lot better ammo selection for the 22 mag and easier to find.

As a reloader I just can not see the purpose of a 22Mag? It ain't cheap to buy. I would rather have a 22 Hornet

But if not a problem buying ammo, then the 22 Mag due to availability of ammo and I know little about the 17's;)

My favorite gopher shooting cartridge! I have been out with others using all of the other calibers you mentioned including the vaunted 22 Hornet. My good friend has a Hornet and at the end of the day his comment to was that he had totally changed his opinion of the 22 mag.

In his words, " There wasn't anything that I could do with my Hornet that you couldn't do equally as well with your 22 Mag and your not spending a bunch of time looking for brass! Gonna have to get one of those Marlins.."

My gun is a Marlin 25MN with a Sightron 3-9 scope on it and I have about 6-7 magazines that I keep topped off when in a target rich environment.

Randy

I had the 17HMR Savage with Accutrigger. Very accurate. Fun shooting.

Considering the low cost of the Savage I would go with the 17 HMR. If your willing to pay the cost of 22 Mag or 17 HMR ammo to plink with, the 17 is a no brainer. ;)

Both .17's are inherently more accurate, that most of the .22 Mags. Yes I own them all.

The much flatter trajectory, and better accuracy of the .17's make them a superior 100 yard target gun, and a superior small game load to over 100 yards.

It all depends on what you are looking to do with it. The mag is a great all around cartridge, plinking and small game (especially at closer range) applications.

The .17 HMR is a very fun round. I agree that it is the ultimate ground hog/prarie dog round. I've taken prarie dogs out west, at 280 yards with the .17. And, it is very accurate, and a flatter shooting round. For hunting small game, at longer distances, or straight up target work, no question the .17 is the way to go. For all around use, the .22 mag would probably get the nod. If I could only have one, it would be the .17 HMR...

removed PC

I am firmly committed to the 17 HMR....and my Savage rifle that shoots it...I am a lefty and my rifle is a righty, but we work it out somehow....
It is a supreme squirrel slayer, especially with the 17 grain pills...the 20s do a good job too....but my rifle loves the 17's more.
I have a SWR Spectre can on mine....which quiets the noise a bit in spite of the supersonic ammo....
I rarely shoot many of my 22LR rifles anymore for anything other than plinking...anything my LR rifles can do my 17 HMR seems to do better....and I have a good stock of ammo, so my 17 gets "the call" most of the time

I watched guys on Youtube shoot prarie dogs with the 17 HMR. The little dogs dropped right where they stood. Impressive.

I would yawn and look at centerfire 22's. Reload for a lot less than 22 mag or any 17 rimfire.

I would vote for the 22mag. the Winchester Supreme 34 grain HP is the most accurate and devastating brand out of my 6" S&W Model 48. I've taken cottontails, prairie dogs, jackrabbits and armadillos with it.

My son has a Savage bolt gun in 17Mach2 that is very accurate. However he wishes it was a 17 HMR for more velocity.

Thanks guys, your thoughts were interesting and informative. I decided on the 22 mag for the following reasons. Heck, who am I trying to kid. For what I'm doing there is no strong justification in choosing one over the other or even choosing a new rifle. If I was being totally practical I would probably have bought a 22LR for the 100 yd shooting I specified. However for what target grade 22 ammo costs I can buy ammo for any of the other three calibers mentioned.

As for rimfire over center fire. I ether still own or have owned and reloaded for 22 Hornet. 222. 223 and 22-250. So I'm at least familiar with the older 22 center fires. However most of my varmint hunting was actually either done with a 22 mag,32 S&W Long, 32-20 or 7x57 Ackley Improved. Sometimes though I just want to take an accurate firearm to the 100 yd range or back pasture without thinking about reloading or retrieving brass.