The .17 HMR is much more "hittable" from 150 to 200 yards on small stuff (crows, pigeons, ground squirrels). A guy interested in this cartridge for this hunting application would probably have a scope on his rifle topping out at least 12x.
On the other hand, the .22 Mag bullet has 35% more initial surface area over that of the .17. In other words, it gets a head start in the wide wound channel department and for predators at close range (no further than a 100 yards tops), a wide wound channel with sufficient penetration of the vital organs is very desirable. Bottom-line? If you HAD to use a rim-fire cartridge for predators (like we do in Michigan for nightime shooting), the .22 Mag is the rimfire of choice. Not to say that the .17 HMR XTP bullet couldn't get the job done with precise shooting but the .22 Mag DOES have an edge in the terminal department. It's a better choice for chest shooting woodchucks too for that very reason.
The IDEAL would be to get a .22 Mag repeater (lever action, Volquartsen semi-auto, etc.) for nighttime shooting and a good bolt-action .17 HMR for long-range, small stuff. The problem comes when a guy can, for whatever reason, buy only ONE rimfire magnum! For most guys, the .22 Mag with it's wide range of loadings, extra terminal punch and lower cost of factory shells is going to be mighty tough to beat. However, if said shooter just has to go from 150-200 on anything like a routine basis, well that spells .17. What we REALLY, REALLY NEED is a new 5MM cartridge! A 5MM could give us the best of both cartridges in one, single rifle. --- Mike