.22 WMR vs .17 HMR: The Best Proven Guide
If the .22 LR is the friendly all-rounder of the rimfire world, the .22 WMR and .17 HMR are its two hot-rod cousins — magnum rimfires built to hit harder and reach farther. And they’re intimately related: the .17 HMR was literally created by necking down a .22 WMR case to fire a tiny .17-caliber bullet.
That shared DNA makes the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR decision one of the most interesting in all of rimfire — because they took the same starting point in opposite directions. One went heavy and hard-hitting. The other went light and lightning-fast. This guide breaks down which wins, and for what.
.22 WMR vs .17 HMR: The Family History
The .22 WMR — .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, universally called the .22 Magnum or .22 Mag — arrived in 1959. For decades it was the rimfire answer whenever a .22 LR wasn’t enough gun: a jacketed 30–50 grain bullet at around 1,900–2,000 fps, with real authority on small predators.
The .17 HMR — Hornady Magnum Rimfire — came along in 2002 when Hornady, Marlin, and Ruger took that same .22 Magnum case and necked it down to .17 caliber. The result throws a 17-grain bullet at a blistering 2,550 fps — the flattest-shooting rimfire most people will ever fire.
So in the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR matchup, you’re comparing two cartridges built on the same brass, tuned for completely different jobs.
.22 WMR vs .17 HMR Ballistics: Speed vs Weight
This is the heart of the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR question, and the numbers tell a fascinating story.
| Spec | .22 WMR (40gr) | .17 HMR (17gr) |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle velocity | ~1,900 fps | ~2,550 fps |
| Muzzle energy | ~321 ft-lbs | ~246 ft-lbs |
| Energy at 100 yds | ~145 ft-lbs | ~127 ft-lbs |
| Bullet weight | 30–50 grains | 17–20 grains |
| Trajectory | Flatter than .22 LR | Flattest of all |
Look closely, because there’s a twist. The .17 HMR is faster — dramatically so — and shoots flatter, which makes it the easier cartridge to hit small targets with at distance. Zero it at 100 yards and it barely rises 5 inches across a 200-yard shot.
But the .22 WMR hits harder. Its heavier 40-grain bullet leaves the muzzle with roughly 321 ft-lbs versus the .17 HMR’s 246 — and because that heavier bullet retains energy well, it stays ahead downrange. At 100 yards the .22 Mag is still carrying more punch.
The trade-off in one line: the .17 HMR is the better marksman — flatter, more forgiving of range estimation, better in a crosswind. The .22 WMR is the better hammer — more energy, deeper penetration, more decisive on tougher animals.
.22 WMR vs .17 HMR: The Coyote Question
Nowhere does the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR debate get more heated than on predators. On coyotes, foxes, and bobcats, experienced hunters lean noticeably toward the .22 Magnum.
The reason is terminal performance. The .17 HMR’s tiny 17-grain bullet is designed to fragment violently — it dumps its energy shallow and fast. That’s spectacular on a groundhog, but on a tough, determined animal like a coyote it can mean shallow penetration and a runner. Hunter after hunter reports the same pattern: hit a coyote with a .17 HMR anywhere but perfectly, and it often “spins and runs” with little blood trail.
The .22 WMR’s heavier bullet penetrates deeper and anchors better. As one predator hunter put it, for dog-sized animals the extra weight “goes a long way” — a 40-grain soft point drives through to the vitals where the .17’s lighter pill fragments and stops.
The honest verdict on predators: if you’re hunting coyotes or foxes with a rimfire — and staying inside ~100 yards — the .22 WMR is the better choice. (And a fair word: both are marginal coyote cartridges. Any hunter serious about predators should consider a centerfire like the .223. But where law restricts you to rimfire — as several states do for night hunting — the .22 Mag is the pick.)
The Small Game & Varmint Question
In the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR varmint contest, the picture shifts. Flip to smaller quarry and the calculus changes.
For prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and groundhogs at range, the .17 HMR’s flat trajectory and pinpoint accuracy shine. It lets you hold dead-on out to 150 yards or more, and its explosive terminal effect is devastating on small pests. Many shooters call it the ultimate “poor man’s varmint rifle.”
But there’s the familiar rimfire catch: meat damage. If you’re shooting anything you plan to eat, or a furbearer whose pelt matters, the .17 HMR’s violent fragmentation is a liability. The heavier .22 WMR wastes less meat and does less pelt damage — a real edge for the hunter who’s harvesting, not just dispatching.
.22 WMR vs .17 HMR: Accuracy, Noise & Availability
Accuracy goes to the .17 HMR by a hair. Its speed and surprisingly good ballistic coefficient produce tiny groups — many rifles print sub-inch at 100 yards out of the box. The .22 WMR is plenty accurate, just not quite in the same class.
In the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR noise comparison, both are loud. These are supersonic magnum rimfires — neither is a quiet, suppressor-friendly plinker like subsonic .22 LR. Expect a sharp crack from either.
Availability and rifle choice are close. The .22 WMR has been around longer and appears in more platforms — including revolvers and more semi-autos — while the .17 HMR is common but leans heavily toward bolt and lever guns (its high pressure makes reliable semi-autos harder to build). Ammo prices are similar today: both hover around the cost of budget .223, which is worth knowing — neither is a cheap plinking round.
Safety Note: NOT Interchangeable
Despite sharing a parent case, the .22 WMR and .17 HMR are NOT interchangeable. They headspace and chamber differently, and firing the wrong one is dangerous. Neither will safely fire .22 LR, either. Always match your ammunition to your barrel’s stamped chambering — no exceptions.
.22 WMR vs .17 HMR: Which Should You Buy?
The .22 WMR vs .17 HMR choice comes down to what you’re shooting and how far away it is.
Choose the .22 WMR (.22 Magnum) if you:
- Hunt coyotes, foxes, or bobcats with a rimfire inside 100 yards
- Want more energy and deeper penetration on tougher animals
- Value less meat and pelt damage on harvested game
- Want a revolver or semi-auto option
- Prefer a heavier bullet that “hits like it means it”
Choose the .17 HMR if you:
- Shoot prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and groundhogs at range
- Want the flattest trajectory and easiest long-range hits
- Frequently shoot in wind, where speed cuts drift
- Prize pinpoint accuracy for tiny targets like a prairie-dog’s head
- Aren’t planning to eat what you shoot
The .22 WMR vs .17 HMR Bottom Line
There’s no bad choice in the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR debate — only a right tool for your job.
The .17 HMR is the flat-shooting precision specialist: unbeatable on small varmints at distance, and a joy to shoot accurately. The .22 WMR is the harder-hitting generalist: the better predator round, the better choice when penetration and knockdown matter, and the more versatile platform.
If most of your shooting is small varmints at range, get the .17 HMR. If you want one rimfire that can handle everything up to a close coyote, the .22 Magnum is the more capable tool. As with the whole magnum-rimfire family, plenty of enthusiasts end up owning both.
Shop Rimfire Ammo at Trigger Ammo Store
Whichever side of the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR debate you land on, we’ve got your rounds. Browse our full range of rimfire ammo — including .22 WMR magnum loads for predators and .17 HMR varmint rounds for reaching out — plus bulk .22 LR ammo for affordable practice between hunts.
Not sure where to start? Our .22 LR ammo explained guide walks you through the whole rimfire family. Buy in smart bulk quantities, store it cool and dry, and it’ll be ready whenever the season is.
👉 Gear up for the hunt — shop rimfire ammo now →
💬 Before You Go — We Want Your Take!
Did this guide help settle your .22 WMR vs .17 HMR decision? Tell us in the comments which magnum rimfire you run and what you hunt with it — coyotes, groundhogs, or fur. Your real-world experience helps fellow hunters choose wisely. And if you’re heading out without finding what you needed, drop us a quick note about what you were after — it genuinely helps us stock better and write better. 🎯
Please buy and use ammunition responsibly and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. .22 WMR, .17 HMR and .22 LR are NOT interchangeable — always confirm your firearm’s chambering before buying. Check your state’s regulations on legal calibers for predator and night hunting. You must meet all legal requirements to purchase, and ammunition cannot be shipped to every jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the .22 WMR vs .17 HMR debate, is the .22 Mag better? For coyotes, foxes, and tougher animals inside 100 yards, yes — the heavier .22 Magnum bullet penetrates deeper and anchors game better. For small varmints at range, the flatter, faster .17 HMR is easier to shoot accurately. It depends on your quarry.
Which hits harder, .22 WMR or .17 HMR? The .22 WMR. A 40-grain load leaves the muzzle with about 321 ft-lbs versus the .17 HMR’s 246, and the heavier bullet retains that energy advantage downrange.
Which shoots flatter? The .17 HMR, by a clear margin. Its 2,550 fps velocity gives it the flattest trajectory of any common rimfire, making long-range hits on small targets much easier.
Which is better for coyotes? The .22 WMR, within about 100 yards — its heavier bullet penetrates better and is less likely to leave a runner. Both are marginal coyote cartridges, though; a centerfire like .223 is better where the law allows it.
Which does less meat and pelt damage? The .22 WMR. The .17 HMR’s light bullet fragments violently, which can ruin meat and pelts at close range.
Can I shoot .22 WMR in a .17 HMR rifle? No. Despite sharing a parent case, they are not interchangeable, and neither fires .22 LR. Always match ammo to your barrel’s marked chambering.
Are they expensive to shoot? Both cost roughly the same — around the price of budget .223 centerfire. Neither is a cheap plinking round; for high-volume fun, stick with .22 LR.
For official ammunition safety standards and cartridge specifications, visit
SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute)
