The Case for .22 Long Rifle

Introduced in 1887 by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company, the .22 LR evolved from earlier rimfire designs like the .22 Short and .22 Long. It went on to become the most widely produced cartridge in the world, with annual production measured in the billions.

Why Shooters Love It

• Extremely affordable (often pennies per round in bulk)
• Minimal recoil
• Broad load variety
• Suppressor-friendly subsonic options
• Used in everything from backyard plinking to Olympic competition

Standard loads typically push a 40-grain bullet around 1,100–1,200 fps from a rifle barrel. While modest in energy, the .22 LR offers reliable penetration and practical accuracy to about 100 yards.

There are also specialty loads:

• Subsonic rounds for suppressed use
• High-velocity options approaching 1,700 fps
• Segmented hollow points for improved small-game performance

If versatility and cost matter most, the .22 LR is hard to beat.

The Rise of the .17 HMR

The .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire) was introduced in 2002 by Hornady in collaboration with Marlin Firearmsand Ruger. By necking down the .22 WMR case to accept a .17-caliber projectile, designers created a remarkably fast and flat-shooting rimfire.

Typical specs:

• 17-grain bullet
• ~2,550–2,650 fps muzzle velocity

That’s more than double the velocity of standard .22 LR loads.

Where It Excels

• Varmint hunting
• Longer rimfire distances
• Wind resistance compared to .22 LR
• Dramatic terminal effect on small targets

The tradeoff? Cost. .17 HMR ammunition is typically several times more expensive per round than bulk .22 LR.

Rifle Platforms: A Fair Comparison

A classic example of a .22 LR platform is the Ruger 10/22, arguably the most popular rimfire rifle in history. Affordable, reliable, and endlessly customizable, it represents the accessible side of rimfire shooting.

On the .17 HMR side, the Savage A17 delivers similar handling with a delayed-blowback system engineered specifically for the hotter cartridge. It maintains rimfire convenience but steps up velocity and range.

Both rifles are lightweight, low recoil, and suitable for recreational or field use.

Performance Differences That Matter

Here’s the core distinction:

.22 LR

• Heavier bullet (typically 36–40 grains)
• Slower velocity
• More economical
• Excellent for training, plinking, and small game inside 100 yards

.17 HMR

• Lighter bullet (17–20 grains)
• Much higher velocity
• Flatter trajectory
• Better wind performance
• More explosive impact on varmints

Physics favors velocity in terms of energy calculation (½ mass × velocity²), and the .17 HMR leverages speed to generate impressive downrange performance despite its lighter bullet weight.

Suppressed Shooting Considerations

If sound reduction is a priority, subsonic .22 LR is king. Paired with a suppressor, it offers exceptionally quiet performance.

The .17 HMR, by contrast, remains supersonic and produces a sharper report even when suppressed.

Cost vs. Capability

For the recreational shooter:

• You can fire multiple rounds of .22 LR for the cost of one .17 HMR shot.
• Training and high-volume practice strongly favor the .22 LR.

For the varmint hunter stretching distance:

• The .17 HMR offers flatter trajectory and better wind handling.
• Precision at 100–200 yards becomes more realistic.

Final Verdict: Mission Drives the Choice

If you want affordability, versatility, suppressed performance, and proven small-game capability, the .22 LR remains unmatched.

If you need speed, flat trajectory, and explosive terminal effect on small varmints at extended rimfire distances, the .17 HMR may be the better tool.

Neither cartridge replaces the other. They simply solve different problems.

Choose based on your mission and you’ll never feel undergunned.