To begin, consider what a coyote weighs. You can easily find .223-chambered rifles in semi-automatic, bolt-action, single-shot, and even lever-action rifles. Not a problem, let us find some basic differences between the two. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the coyote, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the coyote in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots the list goes on. Coyote hunters are just like any other group of hunters and love to discuss and debate the popular predator hunting calibers. You could probably extend the effective range out to 100 yards under the right conditions with the right bullet. With a muzzle velocity around 2000 fps, you can expect to see expansion/deformation of about 1.6 times the original bullet diameter, with a total penetration depth in the neighborhood of a foot or more. That extra speed translates into a flatter trajectory and more kinetic energy. This law also restricts communications that promote an organization such as ours. Speaking about lightweight bullet construction, we have to cite that lighter bullets (.17 HMR) can travel faster than heavier bullets (.22 WMR). Like the .223 Remington, the .22-250 Rem is topped with a .22 caliber projectile. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The .22 LR can be used in many different firearms, but the .17 HMR can only be used in rifles. The .17 HMR is a necked-down version of the .22 Magnum and generally uses a 17-grain bullet, though you can also find rounds with 20 grain and 15.5-grain bullets. Save big on firearms, accessories, tactical gear, clothing, and ammunition from now until March 29. If pancake-flat trajectories, excellent ballistic coefficients, and fairytale accuracy turn you on, the 6.5 Creedmoor should be your dream cartridge. However, I especially like that these bullets are lead-free, so you don't risk accidentally lead-poisoning other animals that might come across your bullet that's been fired. With a muzzle velocity of more than 2000 fps, this is the deepest penetrating, widest expanding .22 Magnum load on the market. The .17 WSM is not as solidly established but, based on potential, certainly should be. Ammo ; Hornady Varmint Express 17 Grain 17 HMR 50 Rounds; Skip to the end of the . The 17 HMR first came out as a rifle cartridge, but it didn't take long for firearms manufacturers to see this round's potential as a handgun cartridge. Just $1 per month , The truth is that rimfires are a little on the light side for coyotes, so its critical that you select the right load. It's Consistent It isn't difficult at all to be down at the bench rest with the Savage rifle and turn in excellent groups at 100 yards. The .17 HMR is able to use bullet shapes familiar to centerfire shooters which are optimized for excellent ballistic ecoefficiency. .tg .tg-4q2i { The 17 HMR is a clear winner when it comes to velocity. But the FMJs terminal ballistics are just too lackluster for larger (and more intelligent) game. font-size: 14px; However, it's easy to burn through several hundred rounds at the range, especially shooting a semi-auto rifle, and those rounds begin to add up at nearly $0.50 apiece quickly. The .243 shoots smaller grain bullets at impressive speeds with enough knockdown power to blow the fleas off a yote at 500 yards. When it comes to hunting coyote, you would ideally have your bullet transfer at least 10 ft lbs of impact energy for every pound your quarry weighs. However, if you opt for an AR-15 chambered for this .20, and pair it with a suppressor, the loudest sound youll hear is the thud of the projectile as it strikes your target. Anything over 100 yards wont have enough juice left for a consistent and ethical killing shot. However, it isn't easy to justify handloading rimfire rounds because they're inexpensive, and the time you spend handloading is worth something. Plenty of coyote hunters agree that the best coyote caliber is the .22. Shane Watson is a Co-Founder veteran. The HMR is built on a 22 Magnum case mated to a 17 caliber bullet. The 17 HMR caliber, when used effectively, can be a very effective match for coyote hunters. I like 50 and 55 gr bullets but there will be pelt damage on foxes.22 hornet is a good compromise for 22 cal but you drastically shorten the range. Although I still hunt other game species (whitetail deer, mule deer, etc. Once upon a time, the .22-250 was a very hotly desired round, when, for a time it was the de facto standard for bench rest shooting owing to its uncanny flatness in . Cost. Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Coyote Hunt. One potential method to measure a calibers effectiveness against an animal is to look at the terminal ballistics. Super Mag, this loading is clearly the best option. Regardless of what the label says the vast majority of all 17 HMR ammo is made by CCI. This is a flat-shooting cartridge, which lets a competent shooter group shots like clockwork at ranges well beyond 100 yards. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. Weight sorting and rim thickness have no useful results on accuracy from my experience with measuring an entire brick and checking across a chronograph for all 500 rounds. You know you can go after a raccoon, varmint, and a rabbit with the .17 HMR rifles. If you're planning to go varmint hunting and most of the prairie dogs or coyotes are right around the 200yd mark, then you'll be shooting a bullet with a flat trajectory, which means better accuracy. font-size: 18px; It will also topple a wolf. text-align: center; As with anything, the devil is in the details. The 10 Best Coyote Cartridges Chosen by Experts at Ammo.com. Although the 6.5 Grendel is arguably less accurate than its Creedmoor cousin, this cartridge is one of the most accurate cartridges available for the AR-15 platform. Top your modern sporting rifle with a quality optic and load it with high-performance ammunition, and this cartridge is more than capable of dropping song dogs dead in their tracks out to at least 300 yards. He is also a long-range shooter and enjoys harvesting coyotes at longer than average distances. However, most are still a work in progress to get the rounds to feed in semi-auto guns, especially handguns, reliably. That makes the .22-250 a more forgiving option for long-range coyote hunting, which is a major perk if you need to make follow-up shots on a running wounded dog. Like .22 mag is the best choice for coyotes, and .17 HMR rifle is good for mid-range gaming. Common 6.5 Creedmoor Problems | What You Need To Know. If youre searching for an effective dog-dropper, youve come to the right place. As far as bullet types are concerned, I prefer the jacked hollow points first, followed by the full metal jacket rounds, and then the polymer tipped rounds (like the Hornady v-max) last. The price of these rounds run in the $26.00 to $30.00 per box of #50 (low-end of price . There are a few different types of bullets used in 17 HMR ammo, and each has its purpose. Centerfire cartridges produce more energy, the rimfire design is less . To be honest, coyotes are big, but thin-skinned animals. If you want to curtail some of that pelt damage, look for loads with a controlled expansion bullet, like Hornadys ELD-X. There are literally hundreds of cartridges that can be used to hunt coyotes. As explained earlier 22 mag penetrates deeper and this is why we find this to be a better choice over the .17 HMR rifle. Loaded with either the V-MAX or NTX bullet, these loads deliver tack-drivin . Though the 22 LR is a great choice for hitting targets under 100 yards but 17 HMR is what you'll need to hit those targets at 125-175 yards. But as we said earlier, not all coyote weigh 29 pounds. All of the options on our list have proven their worth against what many consider a nuisance species. vertical-align: top How Should You Hold A Handgun For Maximum Accuracy? There are even several .17 HMR revolvers. Because the bullet is heavier, you'll see the velocity is slightly slower, but these rounds are still very fast, which helps maintain the flat trajectory out to 200yds; the 17HMR is known for in most instances. Smaller loads, including the .17 HMR, are much more fur-friendly than larger big game loads that punch huge holes in coyote hides. In short, if you utilize that precision to land your bullet right in the yotes brain or ticker, youre going to watch the roguish beast go down like a sack of bricks even if you do hit it with significantly less energy than its body weight would optimally call for. A .22 mag is way more affordable with magazines than a .17 HMR. You can use this technique for coyotes, groundhogs, and bobcats. The bullets weigh in between 15.5 to 20-grains, depending on the type of bullet and intended application. As ammo prices continue to increase, we, as shooters, are forced to devise ways to save money on ammo. Most manufacturers will offer a better discount with the more rounds you buy. The Bushnell Prime scope comes with several turret system options including one for the 17 HMR and a 17-grain bullet. Shop online or in-store at your local Sportsman's Warehouse for high quality with low prices. The deeper-penetrating .22 Magnum bullet is better at breaking bones and cutting organs. Richard Mann was born and raised in West Virginia and has hunted from the Montana mountains to the green hills of Africa. In this zone, a hunter can take the smallest game and vermin up to turkey, beaver, fox, and coyote with any rimfire. This caliber is perfect for youth hunters as a dual-purpose firearm, good for coyotes and deer. For target shooting, we recommend CCI 17 HMR 20-grain FMJ because they're reasonably priced, cycle reliably in a bolt-action rifle, and are highly accurate. So there are a couple of ways to save money on all rimfire ammo, from the 22LR, 22 WMR, and of course, the 17 HMR. The lighter 15.5gr bullet would be an excellent choice for squirrel hunting, as it's less likely to damage the meat. 1. I know this is obvious, but you should always stay within your budget. font-size: 18px; Copyright Ammotogo.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. Winchester 17 HMR 20gr JHP is the best 17HMR ammo for coyote hunting because the bullet is a little heavier, so it will pack more of a punch than lighter bullets. Mr. Brooks, welcome and to answer your question there are a couple of 17HMR rounds that you can use. The third was shot at 80 yards and required a follow-up shot to put it down. That means if you like to call them in hot or youre hunting thick brush, a shotgun is a capable dog dropper, especially when it is loaded with a heavy payload of Number 4 or 00 buckshot. The cartridge is capable of taking out game much larger than 175 lbs. Instead, stick to a modified choke tube if possible. Hornadys V-MAX is exceptional. What this means for varmint hunters, is a bullet that flies flatter, retains more energy and extends your effective range with the .17HMR. This is .17 HMR's strongest selling point and a primary reason as to why it was developed. Conversely, the 17 HMR is low on energy which is why it is regarded as a good weapon for hunting small animals like varmints and chipmunks. . The Magnum Rimfire version in .17 HMR comes with an oversized bolt handle. color: #ffffff; Although the 6.5 Grendel may not have the same superstar-level status as the 6.5 Creedmoor, it may have more to offer modern coyote hunters. Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. This is especially true for the .22 LR. border-color: #656565; CCI is proud of its ammo, and that's also reflected in the price. Ive always operated under the premise that I try to treat every game species (even varmints and pests) humanely and strive for a one-shot kill where possible. 3375 fps (muzzle - 24 barrel) (our average was 3383 fps out of a CZ Model 527 with a 24 barrel) 632 fpe (Foot Pounds of Energy) .187 ballistic coefficient. The form collects name and email so that we can add you to our newsletter list for project updates. However, savvy hunters. According to Wikipedia, the average male coyote weighs between 18 and 44 pounds, while the average female weighs between 15 and 40 pounds. The saving grace here would only be a brain . As a smart tip, you can adjust the bolt for a short rimfire pull or a longer one to mimic the feel of a "big rifle.". Although most .17 HMR loads feature featherweight 17-grain projectiles, V-Max bullets are designed to violently fragment in soft tissue. Two of the most popular revolvers chambered in 17 HMR are the Ruger Single Six and the Chiappa 1873. We prefer using the .22 magazine rifle because we know what to hunt. Male coyote weigh 18 to 44 pounds for an average of 31 pounds. In this conversation about the 17 hmr vs 22 wmr, we have to agree that 2550 FPS giving with 246 FPE or foot-pounds of energy stands out. 300 Blackout 1-7 Vs 1-8 Twist: Is One Better Than The Other? Using the 31-pound male and 27.5 female figures, the average coyote weight is 29.25 pounds, so lets round it down to 29 pounds for more straightforward math. This high performance round is fine tuned for long range varmint and small game hunting with a flat trajectory and an abundance of energy for effective terminal ballistics. Ben is married with three boys, who are continuing the family hunting traditions. It is shooting the same 17 grain bullet, but at the faster speed. ), predator hunting is still my. When it comes to both ammo and rifle availability, .223 Remington is king. If you want to peg predators and drop whitetails with an AR-15, the 6.5 Grendel is capable of doing both. The Savage .17 HMR is a great rifle for small game hunting or target shooting. overflow: hidden; However, in recent years, many shooters have noticed the reliability of Winchester ammo decline. Even when capped with heavier 40-grain projectiles, the .204 Ruger produces muzzle velocities of 3800 fps or faster. Most .17 HMRs are bolt-action rifles, but you can get a single-shot, lever gun, or semi-automatic if you desire. Of rimfire design, it's ideal for prairie dogs, potgut gophers and most of the smaller furbearers out to a couple of hundred yards. Is the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for coyote hunting? It is capable of sending featherweight 24-grain bullets downrange at blistering velocities (near 4400 fps). I will take the 270 instead. text-align: center; Explore the wide variety of ammunition with a range of calibers including .17 HMR rimfire ammo from leading manufacturers at Sportsman's Guide. That is to say, we assume the coyote being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). This is less of a factor for rimfire ammo because, compared to centerfire rounds, it's very inexpensive. Youll want to be extremely careful with your shot placement. Of the two, the .17 HMR is far and away the most popular. The .204 Ruger is the best of the best when it comes to.20-caliber cartridges. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest coyote. Also, Hornady is a brand trusted by many shooters of various calibers because they make high-quality ammo. The most popular types of .17 HMR ammunition are hunting and self-defense rounds. Hence, if you are thinking about bullets, then you can reconsider .17 HMR or Hornady Magnum Rimfire these days. The AR-15 is often considered a tactical weapon. It pushes those petite .17-caliber projectiles downrange with a respectable average muzzle velocity of around 2525 fps and delivers ballistics similar to some centerfire cartridges. The .223 and the AR platform work just as well on up-close yotes as they do when you need to reach out and touch a dog with a long-distance shot. In addition to its pelt-friendly performance, .17 HMR is a flat-shooting, accurate rimfire coyote cartridge. Ballistically speaking, a 17 HMR sighted in for 100 yards drops less than 3 inches at 150 yards and drops less than 9 inches at 200 yards. The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) splits the difference between the two, crushing them both in all the categories that don't matter. Best 17 HMR Single Shot Rifle 1. Top 5 Coyote Hunting 17 HMR Ammo Picks CCI TNT 17gr JHP Hornady Varmint Express 17gr V-MAX Winchester Varmint HV 17gr V-MAX Federal Varmint & Predator 17gr V-MAX Hornady Varmint Express 20gr XTP Useful information? It barely kisses the shoulder which makes for fast, easy follow-up shots. The 12-gauge shotgun is really a do-it-all weapon. When it comes to dropping yotes, bigger isnt always better. Hornady Varmint Express 17 Grain 17 HMR 50 Rounds From prairie dogs to coyote and fox, the Hornady Rimfire line of ammunition offers varmint hunters high speed rimfire cartridges. Direct Comparison. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. This means if you chase yotes, then you have to ensure that you get the right gun for it. } For example, rarely are the best hunting ammo and the best target shooting ammo the same because the manufacturers have two different goals in mind when they make each type. The iconic Henery Golden Boy lever action rifle is chambered in 17 HMR, so if you prefer the lever-action classic walnut stock instead of a synthetic stock on a bolt-action, this is the rifle for you.