I have a 17 Ackley Hornet, I love it, ricochets are almost non existent, but it's marginal on coyotes (in my mind, I know many will disagree). It also isn't a "quiet" rifle, when compared to a 22lr, neither is the standard Hornet. I also have a G2 contender with a 24 inch 38 Special barrel and a 27 inch 32 H&R mag barrel. The 38 shoots 125 grain jacketed into cloverleafs at 50 yds. and if I keep the velocity around 1100 or 1200 fps it seems to be about the same noise level as a 22lr. The 32 is much the same with a cast 120gr. They both thump the target surprisingly hard out to about 120 yds. However, both the 38 and the 32 are more prone to ricochets. I'm not sure there's any free ride, if you want the energy downrange you've got to pay the piper, one way or the other.