Author Topic: .17s and Coyotes, what do you think? (Read 937 times)

matt d · « **on:** October 02, 2003, 02:03:35 PM »

I have been shooting many ground squirrles with my new .17 and am very tempted to take it coyote hunting but I am not sure of bullet performance. I severely dislike Coyotes but they do deserve a quick death, will the .17 with Hornaday v-max bullets do the trick?

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2003, 03:40:10 PM »

17remington? yes. 17HMR? I wouldn't bet on it. KN

jhm · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2003, 04:25:12 PM »

I have shot many couotes and I believe that if you are past the 100 yd mark you should be using something in the 22 centerfire class of cartridge I think the LITTLE 17 hmr will kill a coyote but that size animal is stretching the bullets ability, like kn was saying the 17 remington will do better but yrars ago I had a rem. 700 in 17 rem. that if there was ANY wind blowing I would outshoot it with a 22 mag. Be safe and remember the animal desearves a quick kill.

JIM

matt d · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2003, 05:15:08 AM »

17 hmr. Sorry, pure attention to detail. I realize that it isn't the best caliber for the job but I want to hear what it does, why, why not. I really enjoy trying to understand what bullets do when actual killing performance is looked at.

MF · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2003, 05:27:58 AM »

The Hummer is great on squirrels but NOT good on yotes. I tried it and it resulted in a wounded animal. I have since gone back to the .222Rem. Mike

varmit_master · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2003, 09:22:47 PM »

I think the 17 would work on fox under a 100 yrds but on a coyote NO WAY i use my 22 mag on fox and on coyotes But i dont shoot that them far VM

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2003, 12:05:22 PM »

matt d,

Sure I have heard of a couple of kills using the .17 HMR. Results were less then great as far as I'm concerned. I saw the results of a head shot coyote using the .17. Range was just over 40 yards(called it in) and the coyote was looking at the hunter over some scrub live oak that was about 14 inches tall. Bullet hit exactly were the hunted aimed, between the eyes. Darned near scalped the dog and when the hunter was getting up to retrieve the coyote it scrambled up and took off. The hunter shot it twice more and his friend finished it off with his .22-250. I got the story right from the hunter while at the sporting goods store where he was putting the .17 in the consignment rack to be sold. While the .17 HMR may be great for animals 10 pounds and under, I would trust it for anything larger. Lawdog

Dogshooter · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2003, 02:51:48 PM »

I have been called a lot of unsavory things because of my opinion on this matter but I'll voice it again anyway. If all I had was a slingshot and I saw a coyote, I'd shoot at it. If I ain't armed at all, I cuss them when I see them if only for the slim chance of wounding their pride. I hate coyotes. Hence my handle. That being said, use your 17.

matt d · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2003, 05:35:29 AM »

Dogshooter,
you're a funny guy. If I have nothing else available I would spit spitwads at them. I won't mind using my .17 if there is nothing else available, there are no Coyote doctors, but I will stick to larger calibers when possible keeping the advise of partners @ GBO in mind.