22WMR and 17HMR for coyotes?

[yellowknifedave]

Howdy.  I have a lot of experience hunting coyotes, but no experience with these to calibers.  Most of my shots are well under 100 yds.  Will a well-placed shot (head) do a quick, humane job of killing coyotes between 50-100 yds? Any input is appreciated.
YKD

[TNred]

Not unless you hit a soft path to a vital area.  Don't expect either of these calibers to penetrate a shoulder bone and still give a quick kill.  For coyotes, the only humane calibers (in my opinion), are .223 and up.

I too seriously considered a .22 mag for coyotes when I started hunting them.  However, after doing a lot of research on the internet, I found that the predominant opinion of experienced coyote hunters is that the .17, .22 mag, and .204 are not coyote calibers.  Will they kill?  Yes.  Will they kill humanely in most circumstances?  No.

[htrjv]

Most posts have not praised the performance of the 17HMR 17gr bullets for anything over the size of squirrels.  The problem is the expolsive force, i.e. speed, and light bullet.  The 20gr. bullet has considerable more penetration (15" in ballistic gelatin).  Shots at or about 80 yards is max for larger game.  For a full discussion on this round and the 22 mag, you might want to check out www.rimfirecentral.com/
Joe.

[IowaBuckHunter]

hey tnred- i beleive that you were misinformed on the 204.  It will do ANYTHING that a 223 will, and so much more.  the 223 is no comparison for the 204 as far as accuracy goes especially.  but people who with the 204 have nothing but positive comments on them.  Coming from an experienced dog hunter, the 204 does the job as well as ANY 22 cal...

[Eddie in Delta]

I talked to a farmer here (Southern Utah) that really likes the 17HMR for coyotes.  He used it for his tractor gun; he said he regularly made 150 yard kill shots.  Second-hand opinion, but I think it'd do the job.

Eddie

[Lawdog]

Forget both.  I have a friend that is a contact hunter for the state and he has tried both with equal success, ALL BAD.  I use a .22 Hornet for all my called in coyotes.  Works great and is pelt friendly.  Lawdog
 

[oso45-70]

TNred

Some one miss led you about the 204 R. It does a great job on yotes and is fur or pelt friendly. I would never consider a 22mag or 17 hmr for coyotes. If you are calling one of the best rounds is the Hornet. If you hand load your ammo. you can get some fantastic results with the hornet. Depending on the type of country you are working you may have to do some thing a little different, If you are in brushy country the hornet will work fine. Out here in the west you will have longer shots there for you may need a little more rifle, 222, 223, 222mag, 22-250, or some thing in 6mm, 243 or the like. The 204R or the 17 Rem has worked for me. Pick your gun to fit the country..........Joe.........

[I B Papa]

I'm new around here but I agree the 22WRM is best for REAL close shots.  50 yds and in.  I have one and believed most of the time I would have been better suit with a bit more rifle sooooooooooo the .223 handi-rifle came to the house to stay.  Most things I have read feel the .17 just isn't the thing for the job and the .204 is much better suited for the task.  In fact I've read some real raves about that baby.........Richard :music:

[yellowknifedave]

Thanks for all of your input.  I will explain the situation a little better for you.  I do all of my hunting now with combo guns.  That is what I like, and there is lots of versatility in that.  I do have a 223/20ga that I would like to use for coyotes, however, going for grouse or rabbit at the same time I think would be too much overkill for my liking.  I would prefer not to use the shotty unless absolutely necessary to avoid all the time pulling shot out of the animal.  Besides, centerfire is illegal for grouse in my old stomping grounds.
I choose most of my set-ups so that I will have close shots at the coyotes, and usually take them at 25-75 yards.  A well placed 22 mag should do the job.  I think for my first try with it, I will have someone back me up with the 223 so the animal doesn't suffer.  I have been doing a lot of online research on the 17hmr (thanks to your links, etc), and remain unconvinced that it is suitable  for medium sized game.  No offence to anybody.  At this point I would rather place my money on a larger bullet.  Besides, with the hottest loads CCI sells, it should have pretty good velocity.

At this point, however, it is all academic.  Although coyotes have just started to move into our area, the real k9 predators here are wolves, and I won't use anything smaller than my 6.5 swede on those.  Tempted to use the 223, but I would have to resight my rifle for heavier loads, and I don't want to at this point.

Thanks again for your input, and when I return to the coyote lands of southern Canada, will do a trial of the 22 mag and hope it works to be compliant for grouse.  It would also be better so folks (dnr) wouldn't think I was poaching deer with the gun.  Thanks again.
YKD

[yellowknifedave]

Sorry.  Just as an aside; I do not shoot at running coyotes.  They usually hold for a while checking out the situation.  Before I moved to the arctic here, I lived on the farm on a ravine/creek.  Tons of coyotes, and I was out hunting every day; depending on the season that was on.  Most of my shots were head shots with the 6.5 swede; again close range with FMJ to minimize pelt damage.  The dogs were either sitting or standing, never running.  This is the situation that I will return to this summer, and hopefully use 22WMR successfully at.
YKD

[mrlizzzard]

.223/20ga. would be the perfect Yote gun.What's not to like?
lizzzard

[JPSaxMan]

Not unless you hit a soft path to a vital area.  Don't expect either of these calibers to penetrate a shoulder bone and still give a quick kill.  For coyotes, the only humane calibers (in my opinion), are .223 and up.

I too seriously considered a .22 mag for coyotes when I started hunting them.  However, after doing a lot of research on the internet, I found that the predominant opinion of experienced coyote hunters is that the .17, .22 mag, and .204 are not coyote calibers.  Will they kill?  Yes.  Will they kill humanely in most circumstances?  No.

I thought the guy asked for a head shot...not a shoulder/vital kill? I have no experience with the calibers, so I can't give you a good opinion. I've always used a .243 (it's also my deer gun) but I ain't never got a coyote so I can't give ya two cents on that either :oops: .  

[yellowknifedave]

[/quote].223/20ga. would be the perfect Yote gun.What's not to like?
lizzzard

During big game season I would get in trouble for hunting coyotes with a centerfire; I would require a rimfire to ensure my intentions were known to dnr.

During grouse season I would also potentially get in trouble for using a centerfire on grouse.

I was trying to choose between a 17HMR/410 and a 22WMR/410 for use during these two seasons.  It looks like the 22WMR won out.  It is on its way to my house now.
YKD