i have a 17 and i love it. i would use it on groundhogs out to maybe 150yds. If i had to go out any farther than that i would get out the 22-250. The 17 doesn't do the damage that the 22-250 does but it will stop them in there tracks at 100yds. I can also say that i have never owned our shot a 22 mag. So i wouldn't know how it shot. The 17 is also a very quite gun. And as far as shooting coyotes with a 17 or 22 i would personaly go with a 223 or 22-250. i know that a lot of guys out there that do shoot them with a 17 or 22 but i think that you have better odds with a higher power rifle.