.17 suitable?

Gunney

Gunney

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Discussion with a neighbour and they asked me if a .17 HMR was ok for hunting coyote.

I had to say I didn't know as I have no experience with the .17 HMR. It seems a little light to me. Coyote are not large on average but I think I'd like something a bit heavier (.223, .243, .308) unless you get a good hit.

Opinions or comments welcome.
 
I have known yotes to be killed with a 22 rimfire by being hit square in the chest at close range...not clean but they run off and expire some distance away. I think an HMR would certainly kill yote at close range...say 75 to 100 yards but I find it tough to call them in inside of 150 yards or so. IMO an HMR is way too underpowered to kill yote with any level of confidence at these ranges. I shoot a 222 and love it...20.5/IMR4198 pushing a Sierra 50 grain Blitz.
 
Mixed results on the interweb. I've never tried, but if I were going to, I'd use a 20 grain XTP and keep it within 100 yards. The 17grn bullets just seem to explosive.
 
A big no from my point of view, I sold my 17HMR because I wasn't getting consistent humane kills on GOPHERS. 22WMR is much better but the minimum I use is a 22 Hornet, prefer 223's and my 25-06AI, will use my 204 in a pinch with the right bullet.
 
Search the web, this debate has been going on for years.

If you happen to come across a coyote within 75 yards, it can be killed will a shot to the head or vitals...possibly?

Do not plan to use a 17hmr exclusively for yotes, no way!
 
I agree, it's a 200yd gopher gun if it's not too windy, for 'yotes I'd use a central fire, even a .357 or .44 levergun, as sometimes they are close but on the run!
 
I have taken 'yotes (3) with my 17HMR. When I go for gophers I usually don't take a second firearm with me. All of them were with-in 200y. All were good clean kills (I ONLY tried head shots as I was shooting a 17 instaed of a centrefire).

I wouldn't reccomend a 17 if you were going for a 'chest' shot.
 
Cummins4x4 said:
A big no from my point of view, I sold my 17HMR because I wasn't getting consistent humane kills on GOPHERS. 22WMR is much better but the minimum I use is a 22 Hornet, prefer 223's and my 25-06AI, will use my 204 in a pinch with the right bullet.
Click to expand...

204 with the right bullet? Which ones are the wrong ones? FS
 
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