From the late 1950s to the early 2000s, two of the most popular rimfire cartridges on the planet were the 22 Long Rifle and the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, otherwise known as the 22 WMR or 22 Mag. Generations of shooters (myself included) were taught how to shoot using a 22 LR bolt-action rifle before hunting varmints like coyotes and groundhogs with a 22 WMR.
But then in 2002, Hornady changed the rimfire landscape when they introduced the 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (17 HMR). Varmint hunters clambered to acquire the new rimfire cartridge that sported muzzle velocities nearly double that of 22 LR for standard velocity loads.
But does the flatter 17HMR trajectory and longer effective range mean you should sell your grandfather’s stalwart 22LR rifle?
In this article, we will examine the differences between 17 HMR and 22LR to help you select the best rimfire cartridge for your needs.
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