17 HMR Vrs 22 Magnum For Coyotes/Crows

[jrbsr]

I have been wanting either a 17 HMR or a 22 Magnum.

For coyotes and or Crows.

When I ever get the money to get one.

What are the pros and cons for each gun ?

What is your opinion on each.

The 17 is flater shooting but the bullet is not
as heavy as the 22 mag.

The 22 mag bullet is heaver but not as flat shooting as the 17.

Witch one does every one like ?

Thank You Very Much

[gopher slayer]

i like the 17hmr. its fast and as you said flat shooting. it is devistating on small game like gophers and crows. it will take yotes with a proper placed shot and with in a respectiable distance.100 yards or less. niether caliber is suited for hunting yotes but both will get the job done. if you check out www.rimfirecentral.com there are lots of topics on this compairison.

[Hunter06FlKy]

i would definately pick the .22 mag. i have one and you don't have to worry about the bullet being easilly screwed up by hitting even the smallest thing. i've heard some people with the 17 say that if it hits a twig or sometime even smaller it comepletely either destroyed or knocks the bullet off target.

[coyotegod]

i've heard some people with the 17 say that if it hits a twig or sometime even smaller it comepletely either destroyed

That is completely false. Ive shot many a rabbits and fox right through bushes and twigs.

[JD IN ALBERTA]

I like the .22 Mag personally...see if you can shoot em both and make your decision after that. Thats what I did and loved the damage the mag did to gophers better than the .17 (JMHO) JDinAB

[coyotegod]

If you like a bullet with more speed and flatter trajectory go with the 17hmr. If you like a heavier hard hitting bullet go with a 22mag. JD is right 22mags can be explosive on smaller game especialy with those Remingtons 33gr V-Maxs. But personaly id stick to the 17hmr because of minimal pelt damage on fox and bobcats.

[coyotegod]

I have to tell you if youre gonna be using it for coyotes dont waste your time and go a little bigger. Check out walmart for a nice single shot you can get in 223, 22-250, 243, 22 Hornet, any of those good varmint calibers. They come to around $220.

[Mike01]

If you're dead set on either one of those options, the .22 40 grain bullet will hold up a little better in the yote, although really you ought to get a .223. Fairly cheap ammo, VERY nice range, and it'll turn a crow into a pile of feathers.

[JD IN ALBERTA]

I guess lookng at the question again some of the guys are right. I would use something a little more powerful for a coyote than either of these calibers. Good for crows though! JDinAB

[Tree climber]

just me ; I would go with the 22 mag. a little more cal. better in my opinion for a lot more animals.
the 17 is just to light.(sorta like shooting deer with 22 rimfire),it will work , just not the right cal.
JMHO