.17 or .22 which will give me the best accuricy and best range?

Question

I'm looking at buying either a .22 or .17 bolt action rifle, not semi auto. I am wanting to know which will give me better accuricy and distance for targeting? I also need to know which make and models are good on a rather tight budget?

Answer 1

I have a Savage Model 93R17.... .17HMR It has a Stainless Steel Heavy bore barrel and a black Synth. stock accu-trigger and a free floating barrel. I bought it at Bass Pro Shopps about a year ago along with a BSA "Sweet 17" scope... I really like and payed somewhere around $400 for both rifle and scope.... It is SUPER accurate with the scope...I have to admit it make a fantastic target rifle but not so great for hunting... there is simply not enough knock-down power with a bullet that small even for woodchucks!.... accuracy makes up for its small light weight bullet (Shot placement >:)

One thing to remember is the 17 cal is a light fast bullet so the wind will effect it more the the stouter 22 cal... but being heavyer has a disadvantage as well... heavyer means a faster rate of drop and slower trajectory...take your pick and anymore .22 mag and .17 HMR are about the same price per box. either way I wouldn't go with 22LR or 17moch2 unless you are only shooting about 50 yards or so...

What ever you go with I would defiantly spend the $80-$120 on the BSA "Sweet 17" or the "Sweet 22" they are ballisticly calibrated for 17 or 22s!

Answer 2

A 17hmr bullet has a muzzle velocity of 2660fps. That speed allows it to be more accurate than just about any other caliber made simply because it travels so fast that gravity has little time to alter it's course before it arrives at the target, the same is true for the wind. The 22 has a very high velocity round available that travels at 1400fps but costs more than regular .22 ammo. An average .22 bullet will have a muzzle velocity of about 1080fps, In any case a .22 is accurate only to about 150 meters and for larger animals like coyote ineffective from further than about 80 meters. As for costs, the .22 is a much cheaper round at usually 2-3.00 per 50 rounds against the .17 being 9.00 and more per 50 rounds. For distance and accuracy the .17 is absolutely the best. For cost effectiveness and fun shooting the .22 lets you do more for less. I would hesitate to reccomend manufacturers in case you bought and became disappointed later. I like remington and winchester but any sporting goods store will have a variety of rifles and knowledgeable salespeople to help you decide. Good hunting!

Answer 3

A .17 is more accurate than a .22 long rifle. Why are you not considering a .22 magnum? The ammo is cheaper than a .17, and it is almost as accurate. I can shoot my bolt action .22 mag 100 yards and almost hit the eye out of a squirrel every time. I own a Marlin tubular bolt action. It is one of my favorite rifles. You can probably pick one up for less around $200.

Answer 4

17 HRM tend to have a flatter trajectory than the 22LR mainly because the 17 HRM travels at a much higher speed. But you don't get to shoot much of a bullet with 17 HRM because of the very small bullet. Faster bullets tend to shoot more accurately. In terms of accuracy though, it still depends on the rifle and the barrel.

17 HRM ammos are more expensive than 22 LRs. You get to shoot more rounds with 22 LRs on a limited budget. So if you are on a tight budget, go for the 22 LR.

Marlin makes good and affordable rifles.

Answer 5

# 1 Best Choice is hands down the 22 Magnum!!! Do not consider anything else for the purpose you want it for...