Lanse couche couche

This is not addressed to any particular person here, but i have seen a lot of debates over the .22 magnum versus .17HMR on here. One common theme is that a lot of the critics of the .17 have not used it, especially under actual hunting conditions, and they haven't seen the actual various ballistic comparisons of the two bullets. When I was growing up, the .22 magnum was the designated varmint gun in my family. About 4 years ago, I bought a .17 and prefer it to the .22mag. But then again, I would prefer a .22 hornet or better for a gun that is gonna be consistently used for coyotes.

nick_bleuer76

Do you have a .17 HMR? I do and shoot it a lot, on all kinds of game, I believe overall, it is a better cartridge IMO. A .470 Nitro Express is a great capebuffalo gun, but that doen't make it the best cartridge.

hihopehunter

the 22 mag is what i think

Howler

Yip, as a matter of fact I do! I only shoot a few hundred prairie dogs with it each summer. Ya wanna see a pic. of it. Will that makeMY opinionhave more validity![8D]
When skating on the edge of having enough and not having enough KE to take game cleanly, I will error on the side of more KE every time. As is the case when trying to kill coyotes with a hmr or the 22 wm!
Although I don't have a .470 nitro express, I would venture to say it wouldn't have a thing to do with this topic!

Lanse couche couche

Check out

www.chuckhawks.com/copared_17hmr_22wmr.htm

www.chuckhawks.com/magnum_rimfire_comparison.htm


He favors the .22 magnum in some areas, but the .17 in others. His discussion of the advantages of the .17 beyond 100 yards illustrates why I bought mine. But it is clear that the .22 magnum is a good close range varmint gun.

Howler

And these are the words of the thread originator. I'd concider 50-75 yards close range!

yodeldog3

I agree howler, if you guys are sure that your shots on coyote are gonna be 50-75 yards, take the 12 gage, and get yourself some dead coyote shells in 3.5 in. A 22mag is a great plinking gun, I have one myself, but the only time I would shoot at a dog is if I just happened to be messin with it and a dog came out of nowhere.

DANTHEHUNTER

I have shoot several yotes with a .22wmr while running dogs.No I dont think it is a great round for that but it worked for me.I dont own a 17hmr but I bought my father in law one in a ruger and have shot a stray dog with it,it ran off like it never got hit and died about 100 yards away.One of my brother in laws shoots every thing with his some die right there some run off.I have really mixed feelings about the 17hmr. I will just shoot my swift.

nick_bleuer76

I have shot stray dogs in the head, dropped them, have never taken a body shot. So for my final words on the subject(maybe not). .22wmr 40gr has greater KE than the .17HMR, only about 35 lbs more, but the .17HMR is far more accurate and flatter shooting, so what is more important, harder hitting, or accuracy? It is up to the individual, and I should not push my opinions on others.

4 Buck

We are talking about 50-75 yards. Im pretty sure your not going to notice a lot of drop on either at that distance.