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.17 HMR vs .22 LR vs .22 WMR: trajectory, energy and which rimfire to choose

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Quick answer

.22 LR is cheap and quiet, and it's the only rimfire allowed in PRS Rimfire. It suits targets and small game to about 50–60 yd. .17 HMR is the flattest: Hornady's 17 gr V-MAX leaves at 2,550 fps and drops about 8.5 in at 200 yd with a 100 yd zero. .22 WMR carries the most energy at the muzzle (Hornady 30 gr V-MAX: 2,200 fps, 322 ft-lb) but drops more (about 15.7 in at 200 yd). Use .17 HMR for varmints at 100–200 yd and .22 WMR for heavier small game and predators up close.

Ballistics side by side

Maker figures from 24 in test barrels. Your barrel will differ.

Load	Muzzle fps / ft-lb	100 yd fps / ft-lb	200 yd fps / ft-lb	Drop at 200 yd (100 yd zero)	Source
.17 HMR Hornady 17 gr V-MAX	2,550 / 245	1,902 / 137	1,379 / 72	−8.5 in	^[1]
.17 HMR Hornady 20 gr XTP	2,375 / 250	1,755 / 137	1,274 / 72	−9.9 in	^[1]
.22 WMR Hornady 30 gr V-MAX	2,200 / 322	1,454 / 141	1,026 / 70	−15.7 in	^[1]
.22 WMR 40 gr JHP	1,910 / 324	1,350 / 162	—	—	^[2]
.22 LR CCI Stinger 32 gr	1,640 / 191	1,066 / 81	—	—	^[3]
.22 LR CCI Mini-Mag HP 36 gr	1,260 / 127	1,003 / 80	—	—	^[3]

Takeaways: .17 HMR is flattest to 200 yd. .22 WMR starts with more energy and, per Chuck Hawks' comparison, its 40 gr loads keep an edge to about 100 yd, after which the .17's flatter flight wins ^[2]. .22 LR is the slowest, but the cheapest and quietest by far.

Which is best for targets and matches?

.22 LR: PRS Rimfire requires .22 LR, and .17 HMR and .22 Magnum aren't allowed ^[4]. NRL22 also requires .22 Long Rifle ^[5], and ELR22 requires factory .22 LR ^[6]. Ammo choice is huge, including match grades (SK Rifle Match, Lapua Center-X).
.17 HMR: fun out to 200 yd on steel, but wind pushes the light bullet around, and ammo is costlier.
.22 WMR: rarely a target round; better for hunting.

Which is best for hunting?

Game	Good choice	Notes
Squirrel, rabbit	.22 LR	American Hunter recommends HV hollow points and head shots to about 50–60 yd ^[7]
Prairie dogs, ground squirrels	.17 HMR	A flat trajectory helps at 100–200 yd
Larger varmints, close-range predators	.22 WMR	More energy and a heavier bullet up close

Check your state's caliber rules for each species. See small-game setups.

Our range results (coming soon)

This box will hold our own groups, chronograph data and photos for this topic once we've shot and recorded them. Until then, every accuracy number on this page comes from the published source cited next to it. We have not tested these rifles or products hands-on for this article.

Rifles in each caliber

Tikka T1x: .22 LR and .17 HMR (1:9 twist for .17 HMR).
CZ 457: .22 LR, .22 WMR and .17 HMR. CZ's barrel system makes caliber swaps possible with the right parts.
Ruger American Rimfire Compact: .22 LR, .17 HMR (8313, $469) and .22 WMR (8323, $469) ^[8].
Ruger Precision Rimfire: .22 LR, .17 HMR and .22 WMR at $629 ^[9].
Anschutz 1761: .22 LR, .17 HMR and .22 WMR versions ^[10].

Rifle	Action	Barrel	Trigger	Magazine	Optic mount	Weight (lb)	MSRP (source, date, confidence)	Aftermarket depth	NRL22 fit
Tikka T1x MTR	Bolt; 2-lug style rimfire; T3x-size stock footprint	16 or 20 in, 1/2x28 threaded, 1:16.5 (.22 LR)	Single-stage, adjustable; accepts T3/T3x triggers	T1x 10-rd (5-rd flush available)	11 mm dovetail; drilled and tapped for T1x Pic rails	6.5 (16 in retailer spec)	$699 $699 (16 in) / $749 (20 in) MSRP as shown by US retailers; Tikka US site lists no price. source, 2026-10-12, conf: med	High (chassis from MDT/KRG/XLR/Grey Birch; triggers; rails)	Base: leaves ~$951 for scope at $699
CZ 457 Varmint MTR	Bolt; 60-degree throw; swappable barrel	Heavy, match chamber; many lengths	Adjustable (weight/creep/overtravel)	CZ 457 polymer 5/10-rd	11 mm dovetail; Pic rails available	varies by model	$999 CZ-USA product page $999 (a third-party 2026 list shows $849). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Very high (barrels, chassis, triggers, mags)	Base: leaves ~$651 for scope
Ruger American Rimfire Compact (8303)	Bolt; 60-degree throw	18 in (8306 threaded 1/2-28)	Marksman Adjustable 3-5 lb	BX-1 10-rd (accepts 10/22 mags)	3/8 in rimfire base; drilled for Weaver #12	5.3	$469 Ruger suggested retail $469 (8306 threaded: $499-$509). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Medium	Base: leaves ~$1,181 for scope
Ruger Precision Rimfire	Bolt; adjustable bolt throw (rimfire or short-action stroke)	18 in cold hammer-forged, 1/2-28, 1:16	Marksman Adjustable 2.25-5 lb	BX-15 / BX-1 (22 LR); rotary (17 HMR / 22 WMR)	30 MOA Pic base	6.8	$629 Ruger MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Medium (AR grips and stocks fit)	Base: leaves ~$1,021 for scope
Anschutz 1761 AV threaded 18 in	Bolt; 3-lug; 60-degree throw	18 in heavy threaded 1/2x28	5061 single stage	5-rd	11 mm dovetail	6.17	$2,595 Anschutz North America price (other 1761s $2,495-$2,995). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Low	Open only (over cap)

MSRPs from the maker where available, otherwise labeled retailer listings, checked Oct 2026. Aftermarket depth and NRL22 fit are our editorial summaries (NRL22 Base: rifle plus scope MSRP up to $1,650). Specs are published figures, not our measurements.

Suppressors and noise

Subsonic .22 LR is by far the quietest suppressed. .17 HMR and .22 WMR are supersonic, so the bullet crack remains even with a can. Check that your suppressor is rated for magnum rimfires. See suppressor hosts.

Cost and availability

.22 LR is the cheapest and easiest to find. .17 HMR and .22 WMR typically cost several times more per round, so check current prices before you choose. Seen in our database: CCI/Hornady 17 HMR V-Max vs CCI Standard Velocity.

Wind drift

Light .17 bullets start fast but are pushed by wind; the .22 WMR is slower and drops more. .22 LR drifts the most per yard but is easiest to learn wind on, cheaply. See wind reading.

Bottom line

One rifle for everything: .22 LR.
A varmint rifle to 200 yd: .17 HMR.
Close-range, harder-hitting hunting: .22 WMR.

FAQ

Is .17 HMR flatter than .22 WMR?

Yes. Hornady's data shows a 17 gr .17 HMR V-MAX dropping about 8.5 in at 200 yd with a 100 yd zero, versus about 15.7 in for a 30 gr .22 WMR V-MAX.

Which has more energy, .17 HMR or .22 Mag?

.22 WMR has more muzzle energy (Hornady 30 gr: 322 ft-lb vs 245 ft-lb for 17 gr .17 HMR). By 200 yd the two loads are similar (about 70–72 ft-lb).

Can I use .17 HMR in PRS Rimfire?

No. PRS Rimfire rules require .22 Long Rifle; .17 HMR and .22 Magnum aren't allowed.

Is .17 HMR good for squirrels?

It works but can damage meat. Many hunters prefer .22 LR head shots for squirrels and keep .17 HMR for varmints.

Sources

Confidence: maker specs and prices are high confidence as of the date seen; forum and owner reports are low–medium confidence and labeled as such.

Not affiliated with Sako/Tikka, CZ, Bergara, Ruger, Savage or any retailer. We have not tested products hands-on for these guides; figures come from cited sources. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy · Terms · Rimfire Builds is operated by Tomahawk Designs LLC, Utah · [email protected]