I have had a few of each. I have two .17HMR's, a Marlin 917VT and a Savage 93R17 BTVS, and I have a Ruger 10/22 Mag .22Win mag, as well as several .22lrs (2 Marlin Model 60's, a Savage 12BSEV, several Ruger 10/22's).

I also have several Ruger Mark II and Mark III .22lr pistols, and a Taurus Tracker 17 HMR.

Most of my coyote hunting is done with a .223rem.

Your post DID NOT say whether you were considering a .22win mag or .22lr, OR whether it's a .17Mach 2 or a .17 HMR...

If you're comparing a .17HMR to a .22lr, then I'd personally get the .17HMR. Every "boy" should own a .22lr, but if you're considering coyotes, you'll need a little more power than a .22lr. A .22 Win mag is a viable option for coyotes as well.

Between the .22lr and a .17 Mach 2, I'd get a .22lr. A .17Mach 2 doesn't really have any substantial range difference compared to the .22lr. The price difference for ammo is pretty big. The .22lr is the cheapest ammo in the world. The .17 Mach 2 is a lot more expensive (STILL A LOT CHEAPER THAN CENTERFIRE ROUNDS).

I'd be a toss up between the .17HMR and the .22 Win mag. Effective range for coyotes is about the same, but I'm torn between my own thoughts whether I prefer the flatter trajectory of the .17 HMR or the heavier bullet of the .22 WM.

So if I were looking for a coyote rifle, considering a .17 HMR, a .17 Mach 2, a .22lr, and a .22 Win mag, I'd probably rank them in this order from best option to worst:

.17HMR, .22 Win mag, .22lr, and .17 Mach 2.

Of the rifles I have, I LOVE my Savage 93R17 BTVS. The Marlin is also VERY accurate, but the savage accutrigger is amazing, and I prefer the target style stock and stainless barrel.