Is it? The .22 WMR is range restricted, compared to the .127HMR. However, it is better than the HMR on coyote, but then, I've not seen any "stats" on the effectiveness of the HMR on yotes with that bullet.
I had a local friend who thought the HMR was wonderful no coyotes. Maybe because he was a good shot? I'm sure he used the 17g.r Vmax bullets, but might have been the 17gr. TNT's by Speer.
As to all the other "small" game use, I see the HMR's much better average accuracy as a huge plus.
Guess this means I disagree with the author in the link.
His premise right off the bat is due to the 30 to 50gr. range of bullets available for the WMR ctg.
The HMR is limited to 15 to 20gr. Oh well. I still prefer my HMR over the .22Mag. My main use is on gophers and for that, the HMR has it ALL over the .22 Mag. We head and chest shoot gophers to 200yards. That is our range limit. The $350 .22WMR rifles do not have that kind of accuracy. Marlin .17HMR's do. My Martini is even more accurate & with it, I was killing field rats to 282 yards - with head and chest hits.

LOL_ I read a little more of the article. Billy goats, etc are not allowed to rimfires in BC- only CF's. So, my .17AH would be legal - LOL.(25gr. @ 3,640fps & 20gr. @ 3,925fps.