I was at the gun expo today browsing guns and I knew witch gun I wanted a 17hmr because around where I live in PA you can only use small caliber rimfire rifles. I talked to other hunters in my area and they say they use the 17hmr to kill the coyotes. Well I baught a 17hmr because every one recommended that. But know that I read more forums every one says the 22 mag is a better gun for coyote hunting. So my question is did I make a bad purchase or is this enough gun to take down a coyote like all the local hunters are telling me.

200 yards and under per
Bryce Towsley from N.R.A.s hunter magazine ,he speaks very well of it.
I like its energy, sorry don,t know 22 mag. well enough but never considered it for bigger than fox.
Plan is 2506 if i get after yotes this year but thats from having one. 17 better for saving pelt.

17 has better ballistics from what I've seen if you c

Sent too early but if you could use centerfire I would get a 204 ruger or a 223 wssm

I would have just used my brothers AR before he sold it but PA has strict rules where I live,

So then I guess I made a good decision getting the 17hmr and I only plan on shooting up to atleast 130 yards to many trees in the game lands where I always see coyotes. But thanks for the info I'll check out the magazine or his article online.

The .17HMR and the .22WMR are both very range limited when it comes to hunting coyotes. Assuming: you are patient, you will use a high level of discretion when calling your shots, and you are well practiced with the rifle, you can hunt coyotes out to about 100-150 with the .17HMR.

Yes, the .22WMR does perform better on coyotes with heavier bullets at longer ranges. The difference in trajectory is worthless. You're talking about a difference of a matter of mere inches at any huntable ranges, and the heavier .22WMR does buck the wind better, and retains more downrange energy than the .17HMR. BUT, that's not to say there's anything wrong with the .17HMR. Frankly, only the most dedicated coyote hunters are going to really SEE the difference between the two for terminal performance.

I have been favoring the 20gr Hornady XTP hollow points lately. The 17grn V-maxes just don't hold up against coyotes (fantastic rabbit shredder though).

Here's what you need to do. Since you're new to the rifle, and considering you're in PA and are hunting in cover, start out slow at first, and gradually test out the max range of your load. Start out limiting your shots to 75yrds, then as you get more and more fur on the ground, start walking it out a little further until you start seeing the performance start declining. You'll eventually start seeing shorter penetration, more spinners, more runners, etc.

With ANY rimfire, expect to track some, and expect to lose some.

You would almost have to shoot in in the head I use a 6.8 rem spc of my 243 win

And you know anything will kill anything with the right shot placement I mean within reasonable size. Like 17 and 22 isn't going to kill a rhino or elephant but in theory you could kill an elephant with a 308 solid bullets

How sure are you about a 22 not being able to kill an elephant?