17hmr coyote review

[duckmen1]

So today saw a coyote going after some of my animals so grabbed the first rifle I could. The 17hmr. Had 3 rounds in the mag. Made a stalk and got into about 75yards. He was behind a stump and all I could see was his head. Thought about that shot but waited. Then he took a step and I could see his front half. Put crosshairs on a high shoulder shot and squeezed off the shot. Anchored him. Few seconds later he jumps up spinning biting at his front shoulder. So out a second round solid into body which dropped him again and fur flew up into air on contact. I thought he was done. Wrong. He jumped up again trying to walk off and took another shot to the front shoulder and down he went. Out of bullets and making my way to him he got up and made his way outa field but not fast. Searched for a long while and came up empty. Little blood and fur. Area he ran into is super thick. I'm sure he's dead. But a review as how this caliber works on yotes has changed my opinion. Shot one around 2 years ago with the same aim on shot placement and he didn't get back up. This yote was big and apparently really tough. The goats and sheep are safe now though. Just wish I would have found him for his pelt. He was a biggun.

[Wazukie]

Everything I've read from those who use the 17HMR say within 100 yards, head shot is the one to take.  Going to take mine out this year.

[T Pearce]

I never shot a coyote with mine. Feral cats DRT. Great long range starling cartridge, had alot of fun with it but traded mine for a new gps and keep a 204 for dogs and it really works well.

[Kazekurt]

I've shot three with my 17 HMR. Two in the head, but dropped one with a vitals shot.

[carpsniperg2]

I have seen the same results with the 17hmr. My 22 mag will flat out kill them. The lighter bullets in the 17 on coyotes don't seem to kill very well.

[MtnMuley]

Pretty much what everyone else said. They'll kill a coyote, but defiantely not my gun of choice.

[T Pearce]

Mine was scary accurate. I sold it to my cousin. Told him when he picked it up that the scope on it might not hold up on one of his bigger rifles. He stated that after shooting it he wasnt changing a thing!
Its a 200yd tiny target rifle and a blast to shoot.
Folks would come over and think they could never hit anything out there at that range and when they did the smiles were big

[Jerry malbeck]

Buddy of mine in Moses Lake tried one years ago when they first came out , It didnt take but one hunt before we left it at home . Not a ethical caliber for coyote, Even at close range you will get runners with kill zone shots, I respect coyotes to much to leave them wounded and suffering till death .

[CAMPMEAT]

I have one. I shot a coyote behind the house and all it did was run away. Not a good caliber for coyotes in my opinion. I have the17 WSM and I bet that would be a whole different story.....

[WAcoyotehunter]

They don't work for coyotes.  That's my review.  Get a coyote gun.

[fastdam]

I, also have shot three coyotes with my 17hmr. Two neck shots dropped them in thier tracks. The other one was a runner and i got him broadside in the "behind the shoulder" vital spot. He rolled and just kept on running.  Iys a great round if you save the fur, with neck shots. Everything shot in the neck drops.

[lewy]

Had bad luck myself, not an ethical round for coyotes

[jasnt]

I've tried it once too. Never again!

[mikeybuck]

Shot two with a 17 hmr, one at 100 yards. Shot in the lung, dropped, kicked around then took off for cover.
The second one was in the drive way at about 40 yards. Again lung shot, did the same thing as the first.
22 hornet works very well!

[motg9_6]

As with most guns it's all about shot placement have killed a coyote at 135 with mine but my father Inlaw has dropped them at 200 with a 17 hmr. But if you hit the heart their going to get away

[Bofire]

coyotes are tough, I have read this post on other sites. I think a 223 or 204 ruger is minimal for coyotes efficient killing. I prefer 22-250 or 243. 17 HMR is a fun round and I like it but it is not a great coyote gun. 17 Remington is!~!!! much more velocity.
Carl

[bowhunterwa87]

I've also shot them with my .17 hmr .. needed second shot on all of them.

[Bigswedegml]

I saw my buddy drop a coyote dead in it's tracks with a 17hmr from 50 yards away.  The coyote was trotting straight in at as and it took a shot straight in the front chest.  It didn't even flinch.  That being said....it would still not be a rifle I would carry in the field for coyotes.

[duckmen1]

I knew this was a light caliber for yotes. But it was what I had at the moment and expected after the 3rd  solid hit it would be finished. As far as getting a real coyote gun mine is typically a .270 with 90 Sierra hollow points running at 3500fps. But I was not at my place with my guns. As I was at the farm working when a nuisance coyote was going after my animals. Not an actual hunt more of a depredation kill. I know he died. Just not sure where. But we heard a pack of coyotes mid day making a racket in the woods where he was headed. Thinking they found him and were prolly gonna make quick work of him and leave no trace.  If I do have to shoot the 17hmr again it will be a head shot.

[TeacherMan]

I've dropped probable 20 plus with my 17 but I've also lost a couple.  Thing that killed me once was a nice bobcat. Jumped up spun and never found him.

[bearmanric]

Going to lose a lot of coyotes. Get a 223 or 22-250. Rick

[jasnt]

What bullets where you guys using. I was using 17vmax when I lost mine. I've heard that the 20gr xtp's seem to be a little better at anchoring them.  I've already sold my hmr and hunt with my 243. But I sure miss that gun.

[duckmen1]

I was using the 17gr. Win box vmax. Like I said lost one got one. I will stick to my 270 drops them dead right there. And haven't had any pelt damage with my load as of yet. But all my shots with that load have been in chest. Waiting to see what a broadside shot does.

[LEN]

Gotta use the right bullet the 20gr and they work OK. But not my choice. Took a badger last year with a 17HMR and the V-max ar a little over 200 yards in 5 shots. First was windage and range next four were better, 2nd broke his back at that point he turned to me(didn't know where the first bullet came from) 3rd in the chest as well as the 4th and he as still dragging himself to the brush and the 5th was to the neck and the anchor point. It works but like the 17 fireball or the TAC 20 much better. Or to get serious the 220 swift.

LEN

[KenPCPilot]

Going to lose a lot of coyotes. Get a 223 or 22-250. Rick

[Blacklab]

Going to lose a lot of coyotes. Get a 223 or 22-250. Rick

 

 

[Arnbo]

Yep the 17HMR will work with the right shot placement.
I have dropped a few with my 17HMR with 20 gr.CCI But I will stick to my.223 for my go to gun.
   #4 in the 12gauge works well.I also think depending on the size of the dog as well.Shooting a grain of rice at 2550 fps is still a grain of rice.