.17 HMR vs. .22 Mag: History, Ballistics, Use Cases, And More!

.17 HMR vs. .22 Mag: History, Ballistics, Use Cases, And More!

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about two of the most popular high-performance rimfire cartridges today. The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR) and the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire represent the upper tier of rimfire performance, each with distinct characteristics and applications. Today we will compare these premium rimfire cartridges across various performance metrics and practical considerations. Without further ado, let's examine these two impressive rimfire calibers.

Origins of these Potent Rimfire Calibers

The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, commonly called the .22 Magnum or .22 Mag, emerged in 1959 as Winchester's answer to shooters seeking more power from a rimfire cartridge. The design essentially lengthened the case of the standard .22 Long Rifle and strengthened it to withstand higher pressures. The result was a significant performance boost over the ubiquitous .22 LR, with velocities approaching 2,000 fps with 40-grain bullets compared to the 1,200-1,300 fps of standard .22 LR loads. By contrast, the .17 HMR represents a much more recent development, introduced by Hornady in 2002. The cartridge was created by necking down the .22 Mag case to accept a .172" diameter bullet. This modification allowed for the use of lightweight bullets (typically 17-20 grains) at much higher velocities, often exceeding 2,500 fps. The cartridge quickly gained popularity for its flat trajectory, excellent accuracy, and impressive terminal performance on small game. These different development timelines reflect the evolving needs of rimfire shooters – the .22 Mag addressed the desire for more power in the mid-20th century, while the .17 HMR represents a more modern approach focused on ballistic efficiency and extended range capability. Both cartridges continue to serve specific niches in the rimfire world that the standard .22 LR cannot fill.

Physical Characteristics and Dimensions

The physical differences between these cartridges directly influence their performance characteristics. The .22 Mag utilizes a straight-walled case measuring 1.35 inches in length with an overall cartridge length of approximately 1.61 inches. It accepts .224" diameter bullets, typically weighing between 30 and 50 grains, with 40-grain projectiles being the most common. The .17 HMR features a bottleneck case with the same 1.35-inch case length but accepts much smaller .172" diameter bullets. These projectiles typically weigh between 15.5 and 20 grains, with 17-grain bullets being the most common. The lighter bullets and bottleneck design allow for significantly higher velocities while operating at similar pressure levels to the .22 Mag. Both cartridges use rimfire priming, where the priming compound is contained within a hollow rim at the base of the case. This simpler design (compared to centerfire ammunition) allows for more economical manufacturing but does preclude reloading – a limitation shared by all rimfire cartridges. Purchase .17 HMR Ammo

Ballistic Performance Comparison

The ballistic profiles of these two cartridges differ substantially, creating distinct performance advantages for specific applications. The .17 HMR delivers extraordinary velocity for a rimfire cartridge. Standard loads propel 17-grain bullets at approximately 2,550 fps, generating 245 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. This high velocity creates an exceptionally flat trajectory – a 17-grain .17 HMR bullet typically drops only 2.7 inches at 150 yards when zeroed at 100 yards. The lightweight bullets do shed velocity relatively quickly, but still maintain supersonic flight beyond 200 yards in most conditions. The .22 Mag pushes heavier bullets at more moderate velocities. Standard loads drive 40-grain bullets at approximately 1,875 fps, generating 312 foot-pounds of energy – notably more than the .17 HMR despite the lower velocity. The trajectory proves less flat, with a typical 40-grain .22 Mag bullet dropping approximately 4.3 inches at 150 yards when zeroed at 100 yards. The heavier bullets retain energy better at distance, potentially delivering more impact on target at extended ranges despite the steeper trajectory. Wind drift represents another significant difference between these cartridges. The lightweight .17 HMR bullets exhibit greater susceptibility to wind deflection despite their higher velocity. In a 10 mph crosswind at 100 yards, a 17-grain .17 HMR bullet typically drifts approximately 2.5 inches, while a 40-grain .22 Mag bullet drifts only about 1.8 inches. This difference becomes increasingly pronounced as distances extend.

Terminal Performance Differences

Terminal ballistics – how these cartridges perform on impact – reveal perhaps their most significant practical differences. The .17 HMR's high velocity and lightweight bullets create dramatic expansion and fragmentation on small targets. Varmint-specific hollow points often exhibit explosive performance, creating significant tissue disruption but limited penetration. This characteristic makes the cartridge exceptionally effective on small pests like ground squirrels and prairie dogs, where instant incapacitation without excess penetration is desirable. However, this same trait can limit effectiveness on larger animals like coyotes unless bullet placement is perfect. The .22 Mag delivers deeper penetration with more controlled expansion due to its heavier bullets and more moderate velocity. The cartridge performs well on larger varmints and small game where additional penetration proves beneficial. Many hunters prefer the .22 Mag for raccoons, foxes, and even coyotes at moderate ranges due to this penetration advantage. The cartridge's terminal performance falls closer to that of small centerfire cartridges than typical rimfire rounds. These terminal performance differences directly influence suitable applications for each cartridge, with the .17 HMR excelling on smaller targets and the .22 Mag often preferred for larger game where penetration matters more than explosive expansion.

Available Ammunition Types

Both cartridges offer surprising variety in loading options despite their specialized nature. The .17 HMR lineup primarily features three bullet types: polymer-tipped hollow points for varmints (like Hornady V-MAX and CCI TNT), hollow points without tips for small game, and full metal jacket options for target shooting. More recently, specialized subsonic loadings have emerged for suppressed applications, though these sacrifice much of the cartridge's ballistic advantage. Bullet weights range primarily from 15.5 to 20 grains, with 17-grain loads being most common. The .22 Mag offers even greater variety with traditional hollow points, polymer-tipped varmint bullets, soft points, and specialized defensive loadings featuring controlled expansion bullets. Bullet weights span from 30 to 50 grains, with 40-grain projectiles representing the most common option. Specialized subsonic loads also exist, though like the .17 HMR versions, they sacrifice much of the cartridge's performance advantage over standard .22 LR.

Ammunition Manufacturers

Many major ammunition manufacturers produce both cartridges, though specific offerings vary: Hornady created the .17 HMR and continues to produce premium loadings featuring their V-MAX bullets. Their .22 Mag offerings emphasize hunting applications with both V-MAX and XTP bullet options optimized for different game sizes. CCI and Speer produce projectiles and loadings for both cartridges, with their TNT Green (lead-free) options providing environmentally friendly alternatives. Their Maxi-Mag .22 WMR and A17 .17 HMR lines represent some of the most widely available options. Federal supports both cartridges with various loadings. Their Premium V-Shok line features polymer-tipped bullets for varminting, while their Game-Shok lineup focuses on traditional hollow points for general small game hunting. Winchester produces both cartridges with emphasis on their Super-X line for the .22 Mag and their Varmint HV and Varmint HE options for the .17 HMR. Their .22 Mag ammunition spans target, varmint, and small game applications. Remington supports both cartridges primarily with their Premier line featuring AccuTip-V bullets for the .17 HMR and Premier Magnum options for the .22 Mag. Smaller manufacturers like Norma, Sellier & Bellot, and Eley also produce quality offerings in one or both cartridges, often with specific emphasis on accuracy for target applications. Purchase .22 Mag Ammo

Firearms Available in Each Caliber

Both cartridges appear in various firearm platforms spanning bolt-action, semi-automatic, lever-action, and revolver designs. Bolt-action rifles represent perhaps the most popular platform for the .17 HMR, with manufacturers like Savage (especially their Model 93), CZ (455/457), Ruger (77/17), and Marlin (XT-17) offering precision-oriented designs that maximize the cartridge's accuracy potential. The .22 Mag appears in similar bolt-action platforms from the same manufacturers, often using identical actions with different barrels and magazines. Semi-automatic options exist for both cartridges but prove more common in .22 Mag due to the higher pressures of the .17 HMR requiring specialized designs. Savage's A22 Magnum and A17 specifically address these challenges, while Volquartsen, Magnum Research, and Kel-Tec produce semi-automatic options primarily in .22 Mag. Lever-action rifles from Henry are available in both cartridges, though more commonly found in .22 Mag. These platforms offer rapid follow-up shots with timeless aesthetics that many shooters appreciate. Additionally, these firearms feature tubular magazines which afford high ammo capacities for either round. Revolvers represent another area where the .22 Mag maintains an advantage in options. Manufacturers including Smith & Wesson, Ruger, North American Arms, and Taurus offer revolver models chambered for .22 Mag, while very few revolvers handle the bottlenecked .17 HMR due to cylinder design challenges.

Practical Applications and Use Cases

The distinct performance characteristics of these cartridges make each better suited for specific applications. The .17 HMR excels at:

• Varmint control at extended ranges (100-200 yards) on smaller pests like ground squirrels and prairie dogs
• Target shooting where flat trajectory simplifies holdover calculations
• Situations requiring minimal pelt damage on very small game
• Applications where noise and recoil sensitivity matter

The .22 Mag performs better for:

• Hunting larger small game like raccoons, foxes, and woodchucks
• Predator control on coyotes at moderate ranges
• Situations requiring deeper penetration through bone or tough hide
• Defensive applications in compact firearms where centerfire options aren't practical

For shooters focused primarily on extended-range precision shooting at small targets, the .17 HMR typically proves the better option due to its flatter trajectory and explosive terminal performance on small varmints. For those hunting larger small game or wanting more versatility across different animal sizes, the .22 Mag often represents the more practical choice.

Cost Considerations

Ammunition cost represents a significant practical consideration when comparing these cartridges. Both command premium prices compared to standard .22 LR ammunition, but with some differences between them. The .17 HMR typically costs approximately 15-20% more than equivalent quality .22 Mag ammunition. This price difference reflects the more complex manufacturing process for the bottlenecked cases and specialized lightweight bullets. The .22 Mag, while still considerably more expensive than .22 LR, typically runs slightly less than .17 HMR ammunition. The wider variety of .22 Mag loadings also provides more options at different price points. Firearm costs remain broadly similar between the cartridges, with most manufacturers pricing equivalent models identically regardless of chambering. The primary difference appears in the greater variety of .22 Mag firearms available, particularly in revolver and lever-action formats.

Conclusion

The .17 HMR and .22 Magnum represent two distinct approaches to high-performance rimfire cartridges, each with specific advantages for different applications. The .17 HMR delivers extraordinary velocity and flat trajectory with explosive terminal performance on small varmints, making it ideal for extended-range shooting on smaller targets. The .22 Mag provides greater versatility with its heavier bullets and superior penetration, excelling on larger small game and offering more firearm platform options. For many shooters, the ideal solution might include both cartridges – using the .17 HMR for long-range precision shooting on smaller pests and the .22 Mag for larger small game hunting and general-purpose rimfire applications. The specific choice ultimately depends on individual priorities regarding trajectory, terminal performance, and intended targets. All in all, both cartridges deliver impressive performance that far exceeds standard .22 LR capabilities, providing excellent options for those seeking enhanced rimfire performance. We here at True Shot Ammo carry both .17 HMR and .22 Magnum ammunition in addition to our extensive inventory of ammo for sale. Our selection of ammunition for sale encompasses popular calibers and gauges like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Whether you want to buy .17 HMR, purchase .22 Mag, or buy bulk ammo, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.