Where do rimfires fit?

[dust]

I have a .22LR, and an .17hm2. I understand that you can never have too many, but I was wondering where you put them.  I am looking at a rainstorm, and a 707.  Where do these rounds fit into the airgun pecking order?  I understand what they do, but if I have a .177 for birds, and a .22 and 9 for bigger stuff, what will the hm2 do?  The LR will be for plinking, obviously.  I was thinking about the hm2 for racoons and the likes, but if the rainstorm fills the gap, the only thing the hm2 can do in repeat.  I am also looking at a wmr, in case I ever go to the rimfire only areas for hunting.

[Jay]

I'm not sure what you need to know with your question Dust? Kind of hard to compare a powder gun to a air gun?

[ezman604]

I may be wrong but the way I'm reading it dust, you're not asking where in GTA Forums do these powder burners fit, but where as in ballistics would these rounds fit if there are airguns VERY capable of doing the same thing or better. In most states, there are fewer regulations on airguns, that I know of. My powder burners will be reserved for the appropriate game hunting or firing at a shooting range.
If I'm misreading your post, my apologies and I'll just sit here quietly.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[TCups]

A comparison could be drawn between air rifles in .177 and .22 and rimfires in .17 HMR, .17 HM2 and .22LR, I suppose.  Clearly, the smaller calibers shoot at a higher velocity and with a flatter trajectory.  But with rimfires, ammo selection in .17HM2 and .17HMR is limited.  Basically, only 17gr ballistic tip and 20gr hollow point ammo is available in .17 rimfire.  On the other hand, with 22LR, there is a very wide variety of low, subsonic, standard, high, and hyper velocity ammo available.  Add to that the choices of flat point, round nose, hollow point, and hollow point segmented bullets (not to mention 22 short and 22 long), and bullet weights from 20 gr to 60 gr, and there is an incredible variety of 22 rimfire ammo available for almost any purpose.  The subsonic 22 rimfire rounds can be pretty quiet, as well.  The .17 rimfire is strictly high velocity stuff (ie, Mach 2 or about 2550 FPS). These are flat-shooting and allow a rimfire to reach out to 150 yds or maybe even 200 yds for small varmint hunting, whereas with 22LR, the effective range for small varmints is more like 100 yards maximum.  Two drawbacks to the .17HRM and .17HM2 -- first they are LOUD.  They sound like a .223 Rem centerfire, and even with suppressors, since the velocity exceeds the speed of sound, there is a loud crack.  Second, they do a lot of tissue damage.  If you shoot to harvest the meat, you may find that a body shot with a .17HMR does a lot of damage to your planned meal.  The .17 rimfire rounds are pretty good for target shooting at 100 yards.  For the .22LR, paper punching at 25 yd - 50 yd is more the norm.

IMO, if you only have one rimfire, it should definitely be a .22LR.  If you want to varmint hunt or shoot targets at 100 yds or greater, then add a .17 HMR or .17 HM2 to your collection.

[RedFeather]

I have more than a few rimfires but no .17's.  For one, I shoot up to 100 yards and don't hunt.  But I have seen hunting posts about the .17's and some of them said that on small game at a hundred yards or less they cause a lot of damage.  That is, not good if you're looking to eat something. 

[dust]

Let me rephrase.  If I have a rainstorm in .22, and a 850 with LDC in .177, why do I need a rimfire?  I understand flatter trajectory.  But the noise is much greater, and more likely to spook prey.  If you have limited space/money how do you justify a rimfire if you have airguns?  What role do they fill?  what game will they take that an airgun can't(excluding distance)?

[RedFeather]

I started with .30-06's.  Never hunted them and only shot at the range.  Then, for health reasons, had to sell them and took up rimfires.  After falling into that pit, I discovered a side tunnel which led me headfirst down into the air gun pit.  Also have a few muzzle loaders.  Talk about "spooking the game"!  If you don't get it with the first one, you don't get it LOL!  (And you won't see it until the smoke clears.)  They all have a place and all are a bit different.  Variety, the spice of life, as they say.