17 HMR on Coyotes
Any opinions on the wisdom of using this caliber to hunt Coyotes will be appreciated. I am talking about 'center-of-mass' hits either facing the shooter or broadside. I know that at close range (under 60 yds) there is a good chance for a reasonably clean kill with good shot placement. Call me sensitive but I want a reasonably quick kill even for a Coyote.
I have some friends that have jumped on the 17 HMR wagon and are planning to 'clean out' the Coyotes from several parcels of farmland here in Southwestern Ohio. I am trying to convinve them to use heavier 22 WMR loads, a 22 Hornet, or light loads in another centerfire (too many neighboring farms are near, homes, state highways, for heavy centerfires). Tricky 'cause I Know the 17 HMR has little richocet risk associated with it.
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I have some friends that have jumped on the 17 HMR wagon and are planning to 'clean out' the Coyotes from several parcels of farmland here in Southwestern Ohio. I am trying to convinve them to use heavier 22 WMR loads, a 22 Hornet, or light loads in another centerfire (too many neighboring farms are near, homes, state highways, for heavy centerfires). Tricky 'cause I Know the 17 HMR has little richocet risk associated with it.
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I have an on-going 'discussion' with a couple guys. They state that due to the effects on a 2" x 6" piece of lumber at 60 yds (shot through the 'thin' cross section) they believe the 17 HMR is adequate for coyote hunting out to 100-125 yds.
I have not shot, seen shot, or owned a 17 HMR. Can some GB members with some 17 HMR experience please share their opinion?
Without naming names there are a few guys here that I believe give sound advice and are knowledgeable of external ballistics/effects on live game. I hope to hear from you.
"They're in front of us, they're behind us, they're to our left and to our right...they can't get away now."
Chesty Puller, Chosin Reservoir, Korea
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I have heard that out to 100 yards it is ok. I have no personal experience with it so cannot say for sure, but I would like to hear from someone who has done it also. 
Guncontrol-The ability to hit what your aiming at.0 -
I use a .22 WMR (same brass, bigger bullet) loaded with Gold Dots, and it is devastating. I keep my shots at less than 50 yards, cause my eyes are bad, but it is a vicious little round.
O Lord,
grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can,
and the supreme firepower to make the difference.0 -
Eastwood:
I too have used the 22 Mag with the CCI Gold Dots. The Gold Dots are heavier bullets (50 gr. ??), are a harder, lino-type lead, and maintain a higher point of impact (beyond 50 yds) than do the lighter CCI loadings.
These are devastatingly accurate in my Savage 93. Groups of under 3/4" at 100yds. I try to keep shots at under 100yds and broadside/chest-on shots due to the limitations of the round. It has proven effective.
Note: have you heard if CCI is continuing production of the Gold Dot ammo?? I heard rumors it may be discontinued.
"They're in front of us, they're behind us, they're to our left and to our right...they can't get away now." Chesty Puller, Chosin Reservoir, Korea
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I have not, nor do I plan to shoot Coyotes w/ the 17HMR. I've used the round on varmints up through some fair sized Ohio groundhogs, at ranges of 130-150 yards. The round gets the job done, but I personally think it is more effective at ranges closer to 100 yards.
I also still shoot 17 Rem., and even with that round I've had not inclination to take Coyotes with it, although I would probably do a reasonable job.
I've used 22 mag. and that's about my bottom end, and then all shots were 100 yards or less.
22 Hornet has been a favorite of mine, and while I've not used them on Coyote ... I believe that 221 and 222 would be very effective. I presently use 223 because the cost of ammo is so darn cheap (and so am I) that I don't have to reload (I'm also on the lazy side).
Of course I primarily use a TC Contender in either pistol or carbine configuration and I have barrels for all of the calibers mentioned (plus a lot more) so it is easy for me to switch calibers.
I'm sure that this will start much debate, but personally I just don't like to have sloppy kills, even on varmints, from using too small of a caliber. I know shot placement is more the key than caliber, but while I feel my skills (even in my declining years) are good enough to use any of the calibers it's just not something I will do if I have a choice in the matter.
Small bodied varmints the 17HMR is super effective, even to ranges of 200 yards and beyond if weather/wind conditions are not to bad. Medium bodied critters (groundhogs sized) I suggest 100-150 yards. Coyote sized ... if you have to use the caliber ... work 'em in to around 50-75 yards.
Now, let the debate begin[;)]
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Contender Man:
You touched on the exact point I should have made clearer: I detest sloppy kills and do not like to hunt with those who place themselves in situations where a sloppy kill is likely [:(!]...no practice with the loads/arrows/bolts being used, or under-powered weaponry. Even a lowly coyote.
I don't believe a bullet weighing less than 25 grains can penetrate a coyote rib and kill cleanly. And how can you 'place' a shot deliberately between ribs?
"They're in front of us, they're behind us, they're to our left and to our right...they can't get away now."
Chesty Puller, Chosin Reservoir, Korea
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ContenderMan, Easy06.
I agree completely that the 17 is too light for ethical kills on Coyotes. There are alot of them being dipatched these days in Upper Illinois and Southern Wisconsin and I have discussed this with many Varminters at my local range who have great experience with a broad range of cartridges and bullet weights. MAny of these gentlemen have tried the little 17 and found it to be a great groundhog, Oppussum and Coon round, and all save ONE felt that the Coyotes they had shot were anything BUT clean kills. Classic case of asking too much of a light bullet. The longest shot on a Coyote with 17 HMR was reported to me as around 150 yds...the shortest 50. Perhaps not surprisingly, the 50 yd shot came from the guy who thinks the 17 did a fine job. The gentleman who attempted the 150 yd shot was showing visible signs of being sick as he explained the aftermath of a well placed shot. In essence, the poor guy had to pump the entire mag into the animal as it ran/dragged itself another 50 yds away and bled out slowly calling the entire time. If you enjoy that sort of thing, more power to you. Just stay the hell away from me. Period.
We have some big Coyotes in this general area and I feel they are just entirely too big for a 17 to 20 grain bullet, at least past 50 yds. Stick with what the 17 does best...explosive performance on SMALL game, not Medium or larger.
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Thanks guys. [;)]
This is the kind of input I was looking for. I am NOT knowledgeable on the 17 HMR...I just believe these fellas I am having the discussion with are headed down the wrong path.
"They're in front of us, they're behind us, they're to our left and to our right...they can't get away now."
Chesty Puller, Chosin Reservoir, Korea
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223 45 gr. 2953 fps 871 ft/lbs
17 rem. 25 gr. 3284 fps 599 ft/lbs
17 hmr 17 gr. 1901 fps 136 ft/lbs
22 mag 40 gr. 1350 fps 162 ft/lbs
All at 100 yds. using factory ammo.
I wouldnt use the 17 hmr or the 22 mag.
http://www.remington.com/NR/exeres/000015acwzzhyysbkseubkkp/RemArms+Product+Group.asp?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=/ammo/ballistics/ballistics.htm&NRNODEGUID={4F84126C-5E11-4B1F-89E6-95AB18499B6A}&NRQUERYTERMINATOR=1&cookie_test=1
A lot of the ones hunting them for fur swear by the 17 rem using 35 gr. bullets.Guncontrol-The ability to hit what your aiming at.0 -
i've taken foxes at +150 yards or so with my 22 WMR and 40 grain CCI hollow points. if you can shoot well at that range you'll be surprised how much damage that bullet will do. i friend has a 17 hmr and won't try any shots at more than 100 yards, he says the bullet is just too light for anything farther. one plus is the 17 seems to be more accurate, should work great for squirls at over 100 yards.
www.alaskancampfire.com0 -
Since this more of an opinion question,I can't believe anybody in good conscience could even think about shooting a coyote with the .17HMR.
The .17HMR uses a 17 grain or a 20 grain bullet at least half the weight of the .22LR. A 50 grain .22WMR would be 2.5 times heavier! Because of the velocity, the .17 HMR is more devastating than the .22LR, but that light bullet is very prone to upset (exploding or disintegration) also. The cross-sectional area of the .17 is like a needle puncture(not a large wound channel).
The .17HMR is really good for rabbits, squirrels (both with the 20 grain hunting load), chucks and other small rodents but not something the size of coyote.
Theoretically (on paper or under ideal circumstances), the .17HMR could be appropriate for coyote, but there are things that often happen during the hunt that make performance less than optimal.
Regards,
Heavyiron[8D]
"If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix0 -
I have used a 17 hmr quite extensivly and have found that over 125 yds it does not have the knock down of the heavier bullet 22 mag, under 125 yds I would put it up against any of the small caliber guns. If your going to hunt coyotes use a 22-250 or equivalent,that way your not limiting your shots to certain distances. I use my 17 mainly for prarie dogs.
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quote:Originally posted by easygo6
Eastwood:
I too have used the 22 Mag with the CCI Gold Dots. The Gold Dots are heavier bullets (50 gr. ??), are a harder, lino-type lead, and maintain a higher point of impact (beyond 50 yds) than do the lighter CCI loadings.
These are devastatingly accurate in my Savage 93. Groups of under 3/4" at 100yds. I try to keep shots at under 100yds and broadside/chest-on shots due to the limitations of the round. It has proven effective.
Note: have you heard if CCI is continuing production of the Gold Dot ammo?? I heard rumors it may be discontinued.
Does any place on line sell this ammo? I've been looking for something new to try in my .22mag.0 -
60 to 120 yards, that dog is mine , only if thenwind is good, past that, 22 mag or better---22-250 is my weapon of choice--- dog-gone!!!!! 0
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