[bigdaddy]

I am wanting to get some info on these 17 that i hear so much about . In FT. campbell they told me to hunt coyote and groundhog this year you can only use a rimfire . so which one do i choose . I have a cz 452 that I am thinking I can just use but will the 17 be better i know it is alot lighter than a 22 but it does go faster . what say you all ? Ireally hate the fact that we can't use centerfire rifles i have several rifles set up for the sole purpose of varmits. but i really dont hunt with a rimfire.

[skullcrusher]

Coyotes are some pretty stout animals. Whichever you use, your shot placement had better be there if you want to drop the 'yotes quickly.

But you are correct that the .17 HMR would probably be better. Too bad you cant go with the .204 Ruger.

[stalkingbear]

I would recommend you check out the .22magnum. We've had several coyotes run off after being hit with a .17, only to be found on other parts of the farm or the next farm over. Examination proved they were hit solidly in the heart/lung area. Sometimes they (.17s) will anchor them, sometimes they won't. The 1s we found we determined that penetration was lacking in some instances. The newer controlled expansion loads MAY be better in that respect. The .22 magnum has proven (at least to me), to be a better performer out to 125 yards.

[cpttango30]

The 17 HMR or 17m2 ARE NOT COYOTE ROUNDS.

I don't care what anyone says they are not meant to shoot animals that big.

Seeing as your limited to rimfire's only the 22mag would be what I would go with and keep shots withint 50 to 75 yards. maybe 100 on a ground hog.

[jpattersonnh]

In Southern NH it is rimfire only. As Tango stated, the .17HMR is not a coyote round. I use a .22WMR w/ 40gr HP's, never the 30gr plastic tip variety. 75 yards would be max, unless a good headshot presented itself. The problem w/ that is I have yet to see one stop for more than a second or 2. Most folks here use a 12ga w/ #4 lead. Good to 40 yards w/ a full choke.
Now if you look at a box of .17HMR, the 20gr Gamepoints do have a picture of a howling coyote. It is a marketing picture, that is all. The 30gr .22WMR and .17HMR work very well on fox and woodchuck(P-dog).
Your .22lr will make for a fun day w/ P-dogs.

[jpattersonnh]

Here are a few articles:
Getting the Most from Your .22 Magnum - Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors (JHO)
Wild Ed's Texas Outdoors: The Magnum Rimfire Wars-.17HMR VS .22WMR
Compared: .17 HMR and .22 WMR (Magnum)