I will admit I fell for the 17HMR hype when they first came out. I owned three different ones. Two H&R's and one CZ. I got rid of all 3 of them. I have not shot any coyotes with them, but I have shot a lot of ground hog's with them. Just too many crawl off's with the 17 versus the 22 magnum at distances under 100 yards.

I have no idea how anyone can say the 17 is "more accurate" than the 22 magnum. I have an Anschutz and a Kimber 22 magnum. I have not seen any 17's that wil out shoot these rifles. Accuracy is more inherent to the rifle, not the cartridge.

And more to the point-you said 50-75 yards. Even if the 17 did shoot a 1/4 inch tighter group-what would that have to do with a hunting situation at 75 yards?? And how can anyone think a lighter bullet at 75 yards would effectively kill as well as a larger bullet at the same range?? That just does not make sense.

I realize a lot of hunter's have had some good success with the 17. But I do not think a lot of these guy's(notice I did not say all) have experience with the 22 magnum.

Next difference is the difference in the price of ammo. But we do not want to go there. I would not mind paying the premium price for 17 ammo if the 17 was better, but it is not. Tom.