i shot a coon at 80 yrds with a 17 hmr and i hit him good but he did run for a good 50 yrds into a hole. but i say if no less than a good 30 yrds it would have knocked him on his behind.i coon hunt alot so my dogs do all the hard stuff for me and i use a 22 long rifle to finish the job.a 17 hmr would be a lil bit to much when using hounds and shooting up in a tree but calling them and using the 17 hmr would be perfect.