i was wondering if it was best to stick with my 22 mag or switch to the 17 hmr for coyotes?

Both are probably on the small side for a coyote.

inside of 100 yds the 22 mag has never failed to drop a yote . I use a Marlin 882SSV and REM 33 gr V-max

at 100yds .22mag is a great round for coyote. and since we have reds and gray fox it works well on them.

I took a coyote last season with a .22mag at about 40yds and he only went a few yards.

When my fur dealer saw the tiny hole, he said don't even bother sewing it, there won't be any deduction.


I said it was good, not ideal......

Really!! Maybe in your hands, but the 22 mag. has failed to drop yotes, and will do so as long as guys keep using it. If you shoot enough of them with it, you will loose one, no matter who you are. So how many coyotes have ya shot with it then, I'd guess not many!!
The 22 mag. is not the ideal coyote gun, it requires a very well placed bullet, and most guys aren't seasoned enough to get a coyote to stand around long enough for that well placed shot to happen. Will it kill a coyote, sure, but it's not the best coyote medicine. You shoot a coyote in the boiler room, you better have tracking snow, as they can and will go a long ways before piling up!
IMO!!

The new Ruger 204 would be good for coyotes .

At least I think so.

I want one of those when I can afford one.

Good Luck

The 22 mag has done good for me as long as I limit my shots to around 50 yards. If I think I will be shooting at longer ranges, I take the .223.

howler we hunt coyotes with dogs, and no one in my group has a problem with 22 mags. if you can shoot, you can kill

Well that's great, BUT to paint a broad picture by saying the 22 mag. is "ideal", don't hold much water.
Question for ya, if you weren't using hounds to chase, fight, of trail a coyote, would you recommend the 22 mag. to everyone for coyote hunting?

nope. the 22 mag will work okey at best. keep shots under 50 yards and try for a neck shot. if you want to get serious about yote hunting look into something like a 223, 22-250 and such rounds.

do you have any other guns? even if they are a 270 or above. i would take that over the 22 mag. you didn't say if you were saving fur? if you are use premium bullets through the larger calibers and it won't put a very big hole in them because there isn't evough resistance to open them up


good luck