I need a rimfire rifle and have limited choices. Correct me if I am wrong but my choices are:
[ul][*].22 LR[*].22 Mag.[*].17[*].17 M2[/ul]
I currently own a .22 LR and love the gun but doesn't have the percision or distance I want. Accuracy is nota problem with it though. I have seen the trajectory paths of the .17 and they aren't bad. Ammo is cheap and if you put a decent scope on her, she should be a good gun.

Anyone have any input for me? Would a .17 be sufficient for Coyotes and Fox? What is the difference between the .17 and .17 Mach 2?

You know, I want me a 22hornet. My father in law has a nice old one, and every year he pulls it out of the cabinet, we shoot it, and I could swear he is going to say, "why don't you take home with ya", but again it didn't happen. I have seen guys shot groundhogs with a .17 rimfire, and we never could find em. Sure they died, but I have shot a bunch with 22mags, under 40 yards, and always find em. but I wouldnt' mind to have 17 either.

Here in WV we can only use a rimfire at night for coyote. I wanted to get into it this year so I asked a bunch of guys here that hunt the yotes in the evenings about the guns theye were using.
75% of the guys that i asked that have actually shot coyote with both the 17 and the 22 mag say that the 22 mag was more effective at distances from 10 to 100 yards. The others said that both were good but none said the 17 was better.
This out of a sample of 8 people I spoke with.
So I went and bought the 22 mag recently. beginning Jan 1 we can hunt again at night.
BTW mostofthem had used a22lr in the past alsoand said that they were effective out to about 50 yds

Buy a 17 HMR. Much better than the Mach 2 and ammo is close to the same. Easily kills coyotes and foxes if you hit them right and its easy with the HMR. Watch the wind though.

The difference between them is the 17 Mach 2 is based on the long rifle brass, the 17 HMR is mounted on the 22 mag. Big difference!

Thank you all.. Comments are appreciated.

I love my HMR. It has accounted for 6 ground hogs, 2 Skunks, 21 coons, almost 50 tree rats, and 1 yote. Never had one problem with the 17. For the ground hogs, and the yote I used the 20gr load. All the others the 17gr load was used. Never had a problem on the tree rats, but I just shoot them in the head. Great little round, and my 17 is my go to rifle at the farm.

I have a 17 HMR and love it. Flat, accurate and fun to shoot.

The only difference in the 17HMR and the 17HM2 is velocity and you have more bullet choices with the HMR. The HM2 uses the same 17 grn bullets used in the HMR, but it's based on a .22 long rifle Stinger round instead of the .22 mag case, so it has less velocity and energy. The 17 HMR has some 20 grn controled expansion offerings that were devoloped for a bit larger game like what you want.

Personally, if I were going to get a rifle just for dog sized game I would go with a .22mag for the extra bullet weight. Or better yet a centerfire like a .223 or something. The .17 will do it, I can't deny that. There are too many people on rimfirecentral doing it to say it doesn't work. I just think the .22 mag would be better is all. That is all I think it's better for though.

Good luck,
Paul

Thanks again guys...

I am hoping I have enough accuracy. I love to practice and I am confident shooter. I think I am going to go with a .17 HMR. I like the bullets choices and and specs on the one at the shop. The price is about right and I know of some nice scopes. I appreciate it guys. I think it'll do the job for my foxes and coyotes.

I have both 22 and 17HMR. The HMR diffenatly kicks the 22's butt but your ammo at least in my area is $8-$9 for 50 17HMR compared to 95 cents more or less for the same amount of 22's. I have one of those swinging metal targets for 22's. The 22's just leaves a lead splatter on the target at impact. The 17HMR on the other hand leaves a "dimple" in the steel. Granted it probably a cheap mild type steal but none the less the 17HMR packs a pretty good punch. I don't own a 22mag or 17M2 (yet). My 17 is a Remington 597, green laminate stock, came drilled and tapped for scope mounting. Overall I'm pretty happy with it. I looked at the Savage I think and Marlins in bolt action and wasn't happy with the way the clip fed into the bottom of the reciever. The Remington is about as easy as slapping a clip into a Ruger 1022. Just get it close and it just slides right in. Sorry such a long response. Jusy my opionion.