22 LR vs 22 WMR vs 17 HMR: Rimfire Caliber Hierarchy
The Rise of Rimfire: A Quick History
Rimfire cartridges have been part of American shooting culture longer than most people realize. The concept dates back to the 1850s, when the first practical rimfire designs made repeating firearms reliable and accessible to everyday shooters. For more than a century, rimfire cartridges shaped how Americans hunted small game, trained new shooters, and competed in target sports.
Today, three rimfire cartridges dominate the conversation: 22 LR, 22 WMR, and 17 HMR. Each one was developed to solve a specific problem, and each one occupies a distinct place in the rimfire hierarchy. Understanding where they came from helps explain why they perform so differently downrange.
22 LR – The World’s Most Popular Cartridge
The 22 Long Rifle was introduced in 1887 by the J. Stevens Arms Company, and it has never looked back. It remains the single best-selling cartridge in the world, with billions of rounds manufactured every year. Its combination of low cost, low recoil, and genuine usefulness made it the default choice for generations of shooters.
A standard 22 LR load pushes a 40-grain lead bullet at roughly 1,080 to 1,200 feet per second from a rifle barrel. That is enough energy for squirrels, rabbits, and close-range pest control out to about 75 to 100 yards. It is also quiet enough to shoot comfortably without hearing protection in some outdoor settings, which makes it ideal for introducing new shooters to the sport.
What 22 LR Does Best
- Affordable high-volume plinking and target practice
- Small game hunting at close to moderate range
- Introductory training for new shooters
- Suppressed shooting – 22 LR subsonic ammo is extremely suppressor-friendly
- Pest control around barns and outbuildings
22 WMR – More Power at a Higher Price
The 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire arrived in 1959 as a direct answer to the 22 LR’s range limitations. Winchester necked up a longer, more powerful case to push heavier bullets faster, giving hunters a meaningful step up in terminal performance. It quickly found a following among small game hunters who needed a little more reach.
A typical 22 WMR load fires a 40-grain bullet at around 1,875 feet per second, delivering nearly double the muzzle energy of a standard 22 LR round. That translates to a practical hunting range of 125 to 150 yards on small game like rabbits and squirrels. The tradeoff is real – ammunition costs roughly three to four times more per round than 22 LR, and the noise level is noticeably higher.
17 HMR – Speed and Flat Trajectory Explained
The 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire hit the market in 2002 and immediately turned heads. Hornady necked down the 22 WMR case to accept a tiny 17-caliber bullet, allowing velocities in the range of 2,550 feet per second with a 17-grain V-MAX projectile. That kind of speed from a rimfire cartridge was genuinely new territory.
The flat trajectory is the 17 HMR‘s biggest selling point. It drops significantly less than either 22 LR or 22 WMR at distances past 100 yards, making hits on small targets much easier without dialing in holdover corrections. The explosive terminal performance on varmints – prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and similar targets – is exceptional. The downsides are higher ammo cost and more noise, and the light bullets are sensitive to crosswind at longer ranges.
Where 17 HMR Excels
- Varmint hunting at 100 to 200 yards
- Prairie dog towns and open-field pest control
- Flat trajectory for longer rimfire shots
- Precision target shooting at extended rimfire distances
Ballistics Compared – Velocity, Energy, and Range
Here is a straightforward comparison of typical factory loads across the three cartridges:
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy | Practical Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 LR | 40 gr | 1,100 fps | 107 ft-lbs | 75-100 yds |
| 22 WMR | 40 gr | 1,875 fps | 312 ft-lbs | 125-150 yds |
| 17 HMR | 17 gr | 2,550 fps | 245 ft-lbs | 150-200 yds |
The 22 WMR actually delivers more raw energy than the 17 HMR despite being slower, because it pushes a heavier bullet. The 17 HMR compensates with a dramatically flatter trajectory and explosive fragmentation on impact. For varmint hunters, that flat trajectory often matters more than raw foot-pounds.
Wind drift is a real factor at the longer end of rimfire range. The 17 HMR’s light bullet is more susceptible to crosswind than the heavier 22 WMR bullet, which is something open-country hunters need to account for on windy days.
Ammunition Cost Breakdown for All Three Calibers
22 LR is in a class by itself when it comes to cost. Bulk packs of 500 or 1,000 rounds are widely available, and per-round cost typically falls between three and eight cents depending on brand and quality. This is why 22 LR is the default training and practice cartridge for rifle and pistol shooters alike.
22 WMR runs roughly 20 to 35 cents per round in most markets, which adds up quickly if you shoot a lot. 17 HMR sits in a similar range, often 25 to 40 cents per round, and selection can be more limited at smaller retailers. If you are on a tight budget and mostly want to shoot for fun, 22 LR is almost always the right answer.
Quick Checklist – Choosing by Budget and Use
- Under $50 for 500 rounds: 22 LR is your only realistic option
- Hunting small game under 100 yards: 22 LR handles it cleanly
- Hunting small game at 100-150 yards: 22 WMR gives you the edge
- Varmint hunting at 150-200 yards: 17 HMR is the right tool
- Suppressed shooting: 22 LR subsonic loads are ideal
- High-volume practice: 22 LR keeps costs manageable
- New shooter training: 22 LR for low recoil and low cost
- Open-country pest control: 17 HMR for flat trajectory and explosive performance
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Rimfire Caliber
- Buying 17 HMR for general plinking – the ammo cost makes high-volume shooting expensive and impractical
- Underestimating 22 LR range – most hunters never need more than 22 LR provides for squirrels and rabbits at normal distances
- Ignoring wind with 17 HMR – the light 17-grain bullet drifts noticeably in crosswinds above 10 mph
- Assuming 22 WMR fits 22 LR chambers – these are completely different cartridges and are not interchangeable under any circumstances
- Overlooking platform availability – 22 LR has the widest firearm selection by far; 17 HMR options are more limited
- Skipping ear protection with 22 WMR or 17 HMR – both are significantly louder than 22 LR and require hearing protection every time
- Expecting varmint performance from 22 LR – at ranges past 75 yards on tough pests, 22 LR can wound rather than cleanly dispatch
FAQ – 22 LR vs 22 WMR vs 17 HMR Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I shoot 22 WMR in a 22 LR firearm?
No. The cases are different dimensions and are not interchangeable. Attempting to fire the wrong cartridge can be dangerous. Always verify your firearm’s chambering before loading.
Q: Is 17 HMR better than 22 LR for small game hunting?
It depends on the distance and the game. For squirrels and rabbits inside 75 yards, 22 LR is more than adequate and far cheaper. At 150 yards on varmints, 17 HMR is clearly superior.
Q: What is the best rimfire caliber for a beginner?
22 LR without hesitation. Low recoil, low cost, and wide firearm availability make it the right starting point for almost every new shooter.
Q: Is 22 WMR worth the extra cost over 22 LR?
If you are regularly hunting small game past 100 yards, yes. If you mostly plink and shoot close-range targets, the added cost is hard to justify.
Q: How loud is 17 HMR compared to 22 LR?
Significantly louder. 22 LR standard velocity runs around 140 decibels. 17 HMR is closer to 155 decibels. Always use hearing protection with 17 HMR and 22 WMR.
Q: Which rimfire is best for suppressed shooting?
22 LR subsonic loads are the clear winner. They cycle quietly, ammo is cheap, and suppressors for 22 LR are widely available and relatively affordable.
Quick Takeaways
- 22 LR is the best all-around rimfire for cost, availability, and versatility
- 22 WMR extends your effective range on small game without moving to centerfire
- 17 HMR is a specialized varmint tool with a flat trajectory and explosive terminal effect
- Ammunition cost scales up significantly from 22 LR to 22 WMR to 17 HMR
- None of these cartridges are interchangeable – match your ammo to your chamber every time
- For most shooters, 22 LR covers 80 percent of rimfire needs at the lowest cost
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