17 hmr for coyotes?

[south_va_fisherman]

a 20 grain bullet seems really iffy when shooting game that size

[smokeeater3302]

I know that the .17hmr is faster and shoots flatter than the .22lr

But there has to be a reason that it is the best selling longest lasting hunting cartridge in the ammo world . Maybe it's diehards that dont like change , Idont know . If it was me and I have shot both I would pick the .22lr for shots under 100yds . That is head shots only!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would never shoot a vitals shot with a .22lr or a .17hmr. The .17 has a limited shell selection, I know that is some what because it is a new round , but I can choose every thing from 30-60 grain shell for the LR at half the cost . If you are going to shoot the .17 get a Rem Mag centerfire . I dont want you to think that I am against the .17hmr , But is all goes back to shot placement . I know that is always what you here , but there isnt anything more than that . With a good shot , you will be amazed


P.S. If you are worried about the range with the .22lr get a BSA Sweet .22 Scope . I love mine

[ol'catmandoo]

I have a marlin .17hmr with bull barrel and thumb hole stock and nikon prostaff scope. It is my main yote gun. I don't shoot the 20 grain hollow points,my gun don't like'em. the trick with the .17hmr is find the bullet your gun likes. buy some different brands and test them on some paper and you will see what im talking about, they are very pick guns. I found that hornady 17gr. and Winchester supreme 17 gr. poly tip is deadly out of my gun on yotes, and it absolutely hates Remington Premier 17gr. On a very calm day I have takin yotes out to 130 yard with a head/neck shot.

So as long as you match you gun up with a good scope and the ammo it likes to eat. It makes for a deadly coyote gun imo:wink:

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[TonyInKS]

Personally I wouldn't shoot anything bigger than a 'coon or possum with a .17hmr, I don't like to see anything suffer, even pests/vermin, if I was going to shoot coyotes again the smallest rifle I'd use would be a .22-250, .223 works but doesn't have near the power or range of the .22-250. I've always been a big believer in using enough gun for the job, lots of people shoot deer with .223's and .243 but the smallest I use is a .270. Just my opinion, but if you're going to use rimfire, please make accurate headshots only on coyotes.

[south point]

I know this thread is old, but for what its worth if you ask a farmer what gun he keeps on his tractor for varmint use, its usually either a .223 or bigger. most guys I know use a ruger mini 13.
between a .22mag and a .17hmr, the .22mag gets my vote. I like it better, and, downrange, it hits much harder because of the heavier bullet. at 150yards, shooting at a 3/16"thick steel target, the .17 barely makes an audible "ding" and barely swings the steel. a .22 mag much louder "ding" and puts much more swing in the target,.

I know these "tests" aren't much to go by, but the accuracy is similar, the price of ammo is similar, the .22mag just hits harder. between all 3, I like a .22lr. if I need anything bigger, I go to a centerfire.

[emgee00]

I have shot coyote with the .17 HMR and it will do the trick but you have to make the shot count. The .17HMR has been my newest favorite round for the last several years. It is so ridiculously accurate. My son and I can easily shoot the eyes out of ground squirrel sticky targets at 100 yards with our Savage's with Leopold optics. Show me a 22 that is that accurate!