So I'm in the market for a bolt action rimfire rifle to use on the silhouette side of koko head. Between the .17hmr and .22 wmr what do you choose? Both have there strength and weaknesses so I'm having a hard time choosing. I really like the .17 it's a cool little round with some crazy fps but I've read it loses accuracy in wind. Anyone here have either one that can fill me in on what they think is better.

I don't know for sure about knocking down silhouettes, but both my sons have .17s and they both say they're sweet rifles.  My younger one has a Savage (see attachment) and is amazed with its accuracy.  He uses it to thin out a farmer's  prairie dogs in a place close to suburban areas and popped one at a laser-measured 160 yards, so it's not one of those situations where the shooter paces it off with itty-bitty-teeny-tiny baby steps and claims 160 of them as "yards." 

I don't know what kind of game or varmints might be similar to prairie-dog-sized critters in HI, though.  The heavier bullet of the WMR might be a plus for smacking silhouettes and for wind-bucking, but on the other hand, the accuracy of the HMR might make up for this deficiency, especially if you're any good at wind-doping.

The only problem I see with the .17 is the same problem I see with any relatively new cartridge.  Too many of them fall by the wayside when they  don't show expected sales.  I still remember S&W's .22 Jet revolver, which is now sort of a paperweight unless you kept the chamber inserts for .22LR.

However, as far as I can tell, the 17s are getting more and more popular as urban areas grow toward what used to be good shooting areas.  And that little tiny 20gr bullet doesn't ricochet much.  Even if it does, it won't carry very far.

I think your choice is between a dedicated range rifle at nice standard known distances to knock down silhouettes, or if you intend to use it as a field rifle as well. If the latter, than the .17 might be the better choice.

Terry, 230RN

.............I don't know what kind of game or varmints might be similar to prairie-dog-sized critters in HI, though.  The heavier bullet of the WMR might be a plus for smacking silhouettes and for wind-bucking, but on the other hand, the accuracy of the HMR might make up for this deficiency, especially if you're any good at wind-doping....................

Hawaiian Ground Squirrel aka Mongoose................them and our cockroaches.

I haven't had the chance to take my .22WMR to the silhoutte side yet so I can't say for sure how it is on silhouttes, but it's devastating on cabbages and apples at my friends farm.

Also, haven't tried it on paper yet so can't attest to it's MOA accuracy but it's definitely minute of apple beyond 50 yards.

.17HMR is the most accurate 50 yard rimfire rifle I've ever experienced, and zero at 50 is zero at 100, it's that flat shooting. I have a Savage with Accu-Trigger and it's 1 jagged hole accurate at 50 yards.

It is somewhat wind sensitive but not enough to matter on the silhoutte side.  And it will definitely knock down the silhouttes all the way to 75 yards easy.
My daughter's .22LR was spinning "piggy" at 50 yards. I let her use the 17 and "piggy" flew. I never got the 17 back. ( Had to buy a second one )

Because it's not necked down, the 22WMR is more reliable in my opinion. 
The 17's occassionally have a tendency to have split cases at the neck due to the annealing of a rimfire cartridge causing the occassional FTE/stuck cartridge.
More Problems with Hornady and CCI than Winchester ammo in my experience.  And mostly after the barrel gets hot and foulled after 100 or more rounds.
17HMR ammo is always available at Sports Authority as apparently not too many of us shoot it.

22WMR  is a legitimate round. 17HMR is a way safer round as no ricochet. 22WMR has more ammo type choices. ( FMJ, SP, HP, etc. )

Both are fun to shoot.

Posting 3 shot 17HMR target at 50 yards.

^

.17HMR is the most accurate 50 yard rimfire rifle I've ever experienced, and zero at 50 is zero at 100, it's that flat shooting. I have a Savage with Accu-Trigger and it's 1 jagged hole accurate at 50 yards.

Yep, that's what my son has, as shown in the pic above.  I asked him how come he mounted a big target scope on it, and he said, "Because it deserves it."

Terry, 230RN

^
Yep, that's what my son has, as shown in the pic above.  I asked him how come he mounted a big target scope on it, and he said, "Because it deserves it."

Terry, 230RN

+1

That's the exact rifle my daughter claimed from me. It has a 6.5-18x50 on it for that exact reason. 

I'm guess I'm leaning more towards the .17 now. Where can I find one locally? Preferably the savage 93 also how much is ammo usually?

Winchester ammo at Sports Authority is $15 a box of 50.

Also, the Savage 93 is occassionally available at SA, though often not the bull barrel.

I ordered one through SA as they could get it for well below MSRP and no FFL transfer fee.  Took a whie to arrive though, like 4 weeks.

First one I got was a consignment from OGC. Eugene was actually the one who turned me on to the round. Tried it and fell in love. .22 on steroids.

that was a great you snooze you lose day!  still cracking up da kine was shooting everybody else's target too.   the days of cheap ammo.  sigh.  haha