22mag or 17hmr

[basschsr]

Debating on a varmint rifle. Asking the green screen for pros and cons between the two calibers. I know the 17 is better range and flatter and the 22 has more punch. But is there enough difference to go one over the other. Most shots would be within 100yrds on coyotes and raccoons.

[Drycreek3189]

For coons, the .17 would be great, for coyotes, I don’t use a rimfire unless that’s what is in my reach at the time. Coyotes can be tough unless you hit them right the first time. They also tend to be moving a lot.

[okrattler]

I've shot a lot of raccoons and several coyotes with both. Between the two I'd take the .22 mag. Shoot the coyotes in the head or neck or they'll run off. I've had more raccoons get away with solid shots to the body with the .17HMR over the years than the .22mag. Shooting mostly Winchester 40 grain JHP's. Killed several coyotes over the past few years shooting the CCI 30 grain TNT green bullets. All copper hollowpoint.

If you can find one and some ammo the .17WSM blows both of them out of the water. I've shot coyotes in the lungs with that cartridge and they only ran 25 yards, if they ran at all. The last one I shot was well over 100 yards. Hit it once in the neck and dropped it. It picked its head up and I hit it right between the eyes with a 15 grain V-Max. It's an awesome rimfire.

We shoot a lot of prairie dogs and that .17WSM blows them suckers up.

[basschsr]

Great info. Thank you. To be honest, I was leaning towards the 22mag but the flat shooting longer range of the 17 had me on the fence

[okrattler]

Great info. Thank you. To be honest, I was leaning towards the 22mag but the flat shooting longer range of the 17 had me on the fence

I think you'll enjoy the .22mag. There's a pretty wide variety of bullets you can shoot out of it too. I'm currently shooter Winchester 45 grain Dynapoints out of mine. They don't shoot near as fast as most .22mag ammunition but they hammer varmints. I've never lost an animal shooting those. Killed a lot of skunks, porcupines, raccoons and badgers with that bullet over the years.

[Quackerbox]

Owned both. No longer have 22 mag but have two .17s. Killed plenty of coyotes with the 17. Im usually trying to shoot them in the coyote but shoulder, neck and frontal shots work.

[M16]

For coon size and larger it’s the.22 magnum for me. Kills a lot better than the.17.

[dclifton]

Own both, Dry Creek and M16 are right. 22Mag would be my choice. Problem with coyotes atleast in my area its usually a rushed shot and so you never have a good presentable head shot or clean vitals. You shoot a coyote in the body with 22 mag most times he will tote it off. Now will he go and die most likely. So depends on what you want them to do.

[Drycreek3189]

I have also killed coyotes with a .22 LR, some out of a 4” barreled revolver, but that would not be my gun of choice. It’s just what I had on me at the time. When I call yotes, I use an AR in 6.8 SPC because it puts them down. The .22 mag will certainly kill a coyote, it punches above its weight, but most of them ain’t going down on the spot unless you can pick your shot.

[jfk47]

I also own both. I LOVEEE shooting my 17hmr, but on nothing larger than a 'dillo. On yotes, I use the 22mag or something larger.

[okrattler]

I got some Federal 50 grain JHP's the other day for my .22mag, I'll have to test them out on some coyotes and stuff this Winter. I bet they'll hammer them. If they shoot good anyways. Seems like mine likes 40 grain bullets the best.

[Jason Slocum]

I’d pick the 22 mag over the 17, but I’d take the 17wsm over 22 mag.

Jason Slocum

[W E H]

i have one of the Remington 597 17 HMR semi auto's. it's fun to shoot, i have killed a hog with it. i just don't really take it out and shoot it anymore. . it had the recall where you could get it converted to a 22 Mag but i found out too late and that Remington company is out of business. it may not be more powerful but I'd rather have a 22 mag or something else that i would shoot more.

[PIOBill]

I have one of each. Use the 22mag for coons and such and the 17 for squirrels but it has to be a head shot due to the damage.

[Txarrowhunter]

22mag