17HMR for shooting Coyotes?

[Jeffrey]

I was hunting with a friend a year or two ago, and for some reason he had brought his 17hmr with the 20 grain rounds. I think he was going mainly for raccoons maybe? Anyway, he shot a coyote from less than fifty yards in the ribs, it dropped like it was down for the count, only to pop back up a couple of seconds later. A follow up shot from my 17 remington with 30 grain bergers did the trick. Anyway, my friend has not brought the hmr back out, and now sticks mainly with his .204 or 22-250. I agree with another post that mentioned that centerfire is the way to go. Also agree with the shot placement point, but kinda wonder why you would go out on a hunt knowing that your round is marginal for the job, if you have other options available. I guess to answer the OP's question, I think the 17hmr is too small for coyotes, but can work in the right hands and conditions.

 

[dross]

I just checked it out on the Hornady HITS calculator. The Vmax load gives a HITS rating of 27 at 100 yards. Small game rates from 0 to 500.

I think it's way too small for coyotes, borderline unethical.

 

[ruger7722]

too small in my oppinion,i let my grandaughter shoot one in a trap in the center of the head at 6 inches and it rolled and screamed.i made her go inside and shot it behind the top of the head again and finished i didnt want my grandaughter seeing it suffer,but she went in and looked out the window,i felt bad.my wife was upset too.now shes killed a bunch of possums ,one coon almost a coyote and no birds.thats her way of saying it.ive killed them w/ my 552 rem. but always w/ more than one shot.22 mag is better but a minimum.i got four 22 hornets,i use that because my shots are generally close and have dropped them all.only about six though,one was a w/ a 22 250

 

[ADT knights]

I took down my first coyote from about 60 yards with a .17hmr. It was a frontal chest shot and it did the trick. The shot dropped him where he stood.

 

[H&HMarine]

They work nice on coyotes. I know a guy that dropped a good sized doe by accident with one too. But make sure you use the hornady shells with it they seem to be alot more deadly than some of the others. I have a .223 and a 22/250 and my .17 is my gun of choice for coyotes.

 

[ret]

My opinion is 17 would be borderline cruel to use ona coyote. Ideal conditions only would be accpetable and even then...

 

[H&HMarine]

I bought my .17hmr when they first came out with that round and back then that was what they said they were intended for. I mean they kill alligators with a 22 and that isnt as powerful of a round. I have never had a coyote even take a step after I shot it with the .17. But I am a person who likes to take precise kill shots with smaller weapons instead of using a cannon to kill something small.

 

[lrwatson]

Ruger Canoe Paddle .17HMR

My buddy in SD uses a Ruger .17HMR on coyotes. I have not done it personally. Sometimes he gets close on a snow-sled.

 

[Water63]

I have dropped 4 with the 17 HMR 2 in the head the other 2 in the boiler room. I was just out with the gun and they happened by from 50 to 75 yrds. I would not take it out if I was hunting coyotes I would go foor my centerfire. My

 

[snaresman]

I've shot 6 total with a 17 HMR. Better have a good tracking snow for that round.

I won't go smaller than my 223 from now on.

Shot a coyote yesterday from 50 yards, perfect heart/lung hit. he made it 150 yards across a picked bean field before falling over. Not good...