.22 LR vs .17 HMR: The Best Proven Guide

The .22 LR vs .17 HMR debate is really a question of two philosophies. One is a 130-year-old legend that fires more rounds every year than almost any cartridge on earth. The other is a modern speed demon built for one job: hitting tiny targets a long way off.

Neither is “better.” They’re built for different missions — and once you understand the trade-off, the right choice is obvious. This guide breaks down .22 LR vs .17 HMR using real ballistics, real costs, and honest advice about which one belongs in your safe.

.22 LR vs .17 HMR: The Two Cartridges in Brief

The .22 LR (.22 Long Rifle) arrived in 1887 and never left. It’s a heavy-for-caliber bullet — usually 36–40 grains — ambling out of the barrel at a leisurely 1,000–1,300 fps. It’s cheap, quiet, barely kicks, and does almost everything a small-bore shooter needs inside 100 yards.

The .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire) is the new kid, introduced in 2002. Hornady took a .22 Magnum case and necked it down to accept a tiny 17-grain bullet — then lit it up to a screaming 2,500+ fps. The result shoots flatter than any other rimfire and reaches out to 200 yards with authority.

That single design difference — heavy-and-slow versus light-and-fast — drives every practical distinction in the .22 LR vs .17 HMR matchup.

.22 LR vs .17 HMR Ballistics: Not Even Close

On raw numbers, the .17 HMR wins the ballistics battle decisively.

The trajectory difference is the headline of the whole .22 LR vs .17 HMR comparison. Zero both at 100 yards and shoot at 150: the .22 LR has dropped nearly a foot, while the .17 HMR has fallen just three inches. At 200 yards the .22 LR plummets more than 30 inches — it’s essentially lobbing the bullet — while the .17 HMR is still nearly flat.

Wind tells the same story. A standard 40-grain .22 LR slows to around 930 fps by 150 yards, and its stubby, round-nosed bullet gets shoved more than 12 inches off course in a 10 mph crosswind. The sleek, fast .17 HMR drifts roughly half that. For hitting a briefly-glimpsed prairie dog at distance, that’s the difference between a hit and a miss.

Verdict on ballistics: the .17 HMR is the clear winner — flatter, faster, harder-hitting downrange, and easier to shoot accurately past 100 yards.

So why does anyone still choose the .22 LR? Two very good reasons.

.22 LR vs .17 HMR: Cost — The .22 LR’s Trump Card

This is where the .22 LR vs .17 HMR decision swings hard the other way.

.22 LR is one of the cheapest cartridges on the planet — often 7 to 15 cents per round in bulk. The .17 HMR typically runs two to three times more, landing somewhere between bulk .22 LR and cheap centerfire like .223.

That gap sounds small until you multiply it. A relaxed afternoon plinking might burn 300 rounds. In .22 LR that’s pocket change. In .17 HMR it’s a genuine dent in your wallet — enough that you’ll find yourself rationing shots instead of enjoying them.

If your idea of a good day is burning through a brick of ammo without a second thought, the .22 LR wins before the conversation even starts. You simply cannot plink economically with a .17 HMR, and nobody seriously tries.

Reason 2: Meat Damage — The Squirrel Hunter’s Dilemma

Here’s the counterintuitive one that catches new hunters out.

The .17 HMR’s blazing speed and fragile, tipped bullet cause it to fragment violently on impact. On a coyote or a distant groundhog you don’t plan to eat, that’s devastating and effective. But on a squirrel or rabbit destined for the table, it’s a disaster — the round can turn edible game into a red mist, destroying most of the usable meat.

One writer memorably tested both on oranges: the .22 LR punched clean holes, while the .17 HMR “just exploded the fruit, leaving no more than 20% of it in place.”

The heavier, slower .22 LR does far less tissue damage. For a headshot squirrel at 40 yards, a 40-grain hollow point is honestly hard to beat — it kills cleanly and leaves you something to cook.

So for close-range small game you intend to eat, the .22 LR is genuinely the better tool — not just the cheaper one.

.22 LR vs .17 HMR: Accuracy and Availability

In the .22 LR vs .17 HMR accuracy contest, both are superbly accurate in a quality rifle. The .22 LR has an enormous ecosystem of match-grade ammunition and dedicated competition rifles — benchrest shooters chase tiny groups with it at 50 and 100 yards. The .17 HMR delivers outstanding inherent accuracy too, with many hunters reporting sub-inch groups at 100 yards using standard hunting loads.

On availability, the .22 LR wins comfortably. It’s sold everywhere, in every possible flavour — subsonic, standard, high-velocity, hyper-velocity, match — and there are more rifles and pistols chambered for it than any cartridge in history. The .17 HMR is common but comes in a narrower range: essentially 17-grain (and some 20-grain) loads, mostly in bolt and lever guns, with semi-autos far less common because the high-pressure round is harder to cycle reliably.

One more .22 LR edge: noise. Subsonic .22 LR, especially suppressed, is genuinely quiet — the polite choice when you don’t want to alert every animal (or neighbour) within half a mile. The supersonic .17 HMR always announces itself with a sharp crack.

Safety Note: They Do NOT Interchange

This is the one part of the .22 LR vs .17 HMR discussion you cannot get wrong. Because both are “.17-and-.22 rimfires,” people assume some crossover. There is none.

You cannot fire .22 LR in a .17 HMR rifle, or vice versa. They’re different case sizes and different pressures. Always match your ammunition to your barrel’s stamped chambering — this is non-negotiable.

.22 LR vs .17 HMR: Which Should You Buy?

The honest answer to .22 LR vs .17 HMR comes down to three questions: How far are you shooting? What are you shooting at? And how much do you want to spend?

Choose the .22 LR if you:

• Want cheap, high-volume plinking and range time
• Hunt squirrels and rabbits inside ~75 yards and want to eat them
• Are teaching a new or young shooter (low recoil, low noise, low cost)
• Value ultra-quiet subsonic and suppressed shooting
• Want the widest choice of rifles, pistols, and ammo types

Choose the .17 HMR if you:

• Need precise shots on varmints out to 150–200 yards
• Shoot groundhogs, prairie dogs, crows, or foxes in open country
• Frequently shoot in wind, where a flat trajectory pays off
• Don’t mind paying more per round for reach and performance
• Aren’t planning to eat what you shoot

The .22 LR vs .17 HMR Bottom Line

There’s no loser in the .22 LR vs .17 HMR debate — only a mismatch if you buy the wrong one for your job.

The .22 LR remains the undisputed king of affordable fun, new-shooter training, and close-range small game for the table. The .17 HMR is a specialist: a flat-shooting, wind-cutting varmint round that does things no .22 LR can do past 100 yards.

Many serious rimfire shooters simply own both — a .22 LR for cheap practice and tree-rats close in, and a .17 HMR for reaching out across a field. They genuinely do different jobs, and neither replaces the other.

Shop Rimfire Ammo at Trigger Ammo Store

Whichever way your .22 LR vs .17 HMR decision falls, we’ve got you covered. Browse our full range of .22 LR ammo — bulk high-velocity bricks for plinking, match-grade loads for precision, and subsonic for quiet suppressed shooting — plus our wider selection of rimfire ammo including .17 HMR varmint loads.

New to rimfire? Start with our .22 LR ammo explained guide to learn the four velocity types and which suits your rifle. Stocking up for the season? Buy in smart bulk quantities, store it cool and dry, and it’ll last for decades.

👉 Ready to gear up? Shop rimfire ammo now →

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💬 Before You Go — Tell Us What You Think!

Did this guide help you settle the .22 LR vs .17 HMR question? We’d love your feedback. Drop a comment below telling us which rimfire you shoot and why — or if there’s a comparison you’d like us to tackle next. Your input genuinely shapes what we write, and it helps fellow shooters make smarter choices. Leaving without buying? Let us know what you were looking for that you didn’t find — a quick comment helps us serve you better next time. 🎯

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Please buy and use ammunition responsibly and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. .22 LR and .17 HMR are NOT interchangeable — always confirm your firearm’s chambering before buying. Check local hunting regulations for legal calibers and seasons in your area. You must meet all legal requirements to purchase, and ammunition cannot be shipped to every jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the .22 LR vs .17 HMR debate, is the .17 HMR better? For long-range varmint hunting, yes — it shoots much flatter, resists wind better, and hits harder past 100 yards. But the .22 LR is far cheaper, quieter, and better for close-range small game you plan to eat. Neither is universally better; it depends on your use.

What’s the effective range of each? The .22 LR is at its best inside 75–100 yards. The .17 HMR reaches confidently to 150–200 yards thanks to its flat trajectory and retained energy.

Which is better for squirrel hunting? For squirrels and rabbits you intend to eat, the .22 LR — its slower bullet does far less meat damage. The .17 HMR’s high-velocity bullet fragments violently and can destroy most of the usable meat at close range.

Is .17 HMR much more expensive than .22 LR? Yes — typically two to three times the cost per round. The .22 LR is one of the cheapest cartridges available, which is why it dominates for high-volume plinking.

Can I shoot .22 LR in a .17 HMR rifle? No. They are different cartridges with different case sizes and pressures and are not interchangeable. Always match ammo to your barrel’s marked chambering.

Which is quieter? The .22 LR, especially in subsonic loads and with a suppressor. The .17 HMR is supersonic and produces a sharp crack.

Which should a beginner buy? The .22 LR — lower recoil, lower noise, far cheaper to practice with, and available in more affordable rifles. It’s the best cartridge for building fundamentals

22 LR vs 17 HMR

According to the

Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute
,
always use ammunition designed for your firearm.