22lr or 17HMR?

[LordGamebore 0]

I have a few rabbit infested fields and I need to do some serious lamping. I've mainly used shotguns and air rifles for this before, but I reckon need a rimfire now. I've shot .22lr in the past but not 17HMR.

 

What caliber should I gor for?

[Colster 1]

Basically it's largely a matter of preference and the land that you're shooting over. If it's mainly smallish ranges and you can easily get within 60- yards of the rabbits then I'd suggest LR - the ammo is cheaper and it's loads quieter. LR can be more versatile too if you have one that likes different ammo, it's feasible to get HMR like range by using High Velocity ammo or FAC Air like safety using Low Velocity. This is a bit of an outside consideration though as many people report inconsistent accuracy using High and Low Velocity ammo through LR.

 

Mine seems ok at 40 yards with LV but not put enough rounds through it of HV to tell yet.

 

With HMR you'll have greater range and less need to adjust your aim for different ranges but pay more for the ammo, have a louder shot and more meat damage.

[gingerb0y 0]

I have asked pretty much the same question on the 21st Feb its on page 2 of this forum I got very good replies well worth a look!!!

[LordGamebore 0]

22LR seems like my best bet.

[stevethefish 80]

Basically it's largely a matter of preference and the land that you're shooting over. If it's mainly smallish ranges and you can easily get within 60- yards of the rabbits then I'd suggest LR - the ammo is cheaper and it's loads quieter. LR can be more versatile too if you have one that likes different ammo, it's feasible to get HMR like range by using High Velocity ammo or FAC Air like safety using Low Velocity. This is a bit of an outside consideration though as many people report inconsistent accuracy using High and Low Velocity ammo through LR.

 

Mine seems ok at 40 yards with LV but not put enough rounds through it of HV to tell yet.

 

With HMR you'll have greater range and less need to adjust your aim for different ranges but pay more for the ammo, have a louder shot and more meat damage.

Well said

[sureshot11 1]

My local plod have granted me a 17hmr for long range rabbits but not 22 as they said it was a safer round but I still have to have a mentor for a bit.

Edited February 27, 2010 by sureshot11

[Colster 1]

My local plod have granted me a 17hmr for long range rabbits but not 22 as they said it was a safer round but I still have to have a mentor for a bit.

 

I'm not a fan of mentoring by rule although I think it's a good idea for people to have an experienced shot at the start but a lot of people rave about HMR (never tried one so can't comment) so don't worry about it, you're gonna love it anyway

 

Welcome to FAC Land!

[slingshot 0]

.22 will take rabbits out to 130 yards without much adjustment as long as the rifle is zero properly. I had a burno farma which would group 1" at 100 yards with remington yellow jackets no need for hmr. If you cannot get within yards of a rabbit give up shooting! The problem with .22 is ricochet. Best method of rabbit control I found was ferreting with a shotgun all year round, because this is the only way to get a the breeding females and reduces the population. Feed ferrets before working them and they are less likely to ly up. Using this method I devastated the rabbit population on a 1000 acre farm in Scotland.

I have a few rabbit infested fields and I need to do some serious lamping. I've mainly used shotguns and air rifles for this before, but I reckon need a rimfire now. I've shot .22lr in the past but not 17HMR.

 

What caliber should I gor for?

[Deker 3,478]

I have a few rabbit infested fields and I need to do some serious lamping. I've mainly used shotguns and air rifles for this before, but I reckon need a rimfire now. I've shot .22lr in the past but not 17HMR.

 

What caliber should I gor for?

 

 

Rifles/calibres/ammo are simply tools.

 

You need to choose the right one for the job, that's why many people have many rifles, they have many different jobs for them to do.

 

You need to consider your requirements!!

 

Quick overview.

If your bunny problem is fairly close range, noise is an issue, funds are an issue, then .22lr with subs!

 

If your problem is longer distance, noise isn't so much of an issue and your pockets are deeper then HMR.

 

If your problems fall into both camps then you need both!

[theinvisiblescarecrow 0]

With my FAC grant I had to have a mentor for .22lr & enjoyed the experiance & learnt a lot.

I'd used air & shootties for years.

There's allways something new to learn.

Now got a HMR as well.

I much prefer the .22lr but do like the HMR as well.

I don't think you can really be recomended what's best without seeing what the ground is like.

If you allready have used air & shotties then a .22lr is a very good starter.

If you want longer range go for the HMR later.

The huge advantage is with a .22 you can get away with cheeper quality scopes, cheaper silencers & cheaper ammo.

You will find a bipod is usefull especially with the longer range HMR.

Camo becomes less important.