17HMR, 22WMR, or .223?

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Ok, here's the background, I'm not a rifle guy and I'm not sure I ever will be but I want to go out and do a little varmint shooting with a lean towards Coyote. I'm not spending a grand on a high end rifle and scope combo as my money is needed for my revolver habit.

I can shoot decently at 100yds with my .22lr and I used to own a .22WMR rifle that I also enjoyed at 100yds. I have my doubts if I can hit anything past 200yds anyway so I'm wondering if the 17HMR or 22WMR may take care of my needs without the added centerfire expense? I'm confident the 22 Mag can handle a Coyote, how's the 17HMR?

Opinions? What's the max that folks are using the 17HMR and 22WMR at?
 
I have taken coyote as far as 234 yards (lasered) with .17hmr. Though it can be done with the little round, .223 is much better suited for the task.

I am currently shooting a Stevens 200 in .223. It is acceptably accurate with factory ammo, and consistantly shoots 3/8" to 1/2" on home rolled..... The home rolled stuff is cheaper than you can buy the .17hmr......
 
Easy Call

Two Two Three Remington.

A rimfire does not show enough respect for nature's song doggies, beyond close range, IMO - particularly a .17 cal. But a .22 mag with Win 50 grainers would be my choice in a pinch - limit shots to about 85-90 yards. With a .223, you're good to 225-250 or more, if you can make the hit.
 
I think I knew I needed a .223 but was looking for a cheaper alternative. The 17 and 22Mag fall just a smidge short of the capability I'm looking for. I think I'll try to pick up a Savage or a Stevens and go from there. Man I hope this doesn't turn into another obsession. :what:
 
.17, .22WMR, and .22Hornet are really not all that cheap when you compare them to WWB .223.

I'd get the .223, and that can also count as a Home Defense Rifle.
 
Not that cheap? I just bought a 500rd pack of Fiocchi 40gr JSP for my 22WMR for $80. No way you can get 500rds of .223 for that. I don't know haw effective the 22WMR is on yotes but it sure is a fun caliber. I would bet it wouldn't have any problem at ~150yds.
 
My .02 .

Hey there:
I have all. The new .17 HMRs that we just got this winter work awesome.
These are accurate and very explosive on game animals and destroy meat so they are not much good for that. But woodchucks , coyotees , etc. They can work very well. The distance is up to you. Lots of dog hunters like them becuase they leave very small holes in the hides. And do not often exit on the longer shots. When I say explosive , I mean it. They blow squirrels beyond the eating stage.
The little very light weight Savage 93R17 is what we bought . Because of the deep snow and their light weight. They are topped with the .17 caliber scopes from Cabelas. And I must say are very accurate. These scopes have a side focus and are 3 x 12s. They seem to work well for the cost.
The guns come a little on the ruff side , but some polishing on the bolts and they worked fine. I bought 2 . I am not a Savage fan but these work well.
I am also not a fraid of the .17 HMR on coyotees. I have heard of many 200 yard one shot kills now. Won't drop them in their tracks but they don't go far at all.
 
On the rimfire side, I lean toward the 22 WMR or the 5mm that I am still waiting to see new rifles for. I think a heavier bullet is the better choice relative to the 17 hMR. 200 yds would really be stretching the range of any rimfire.
 
The Hornet was going to be a strong contender for this project, but I'm wanting readily available factory ammo. The .22Mag was my first choice as I use a lot of it in my Single-Six but I just don't see it past 150yds. I'm a reloader, so the Hornet or .223 would be hand loaded but I want the ability to stop and pick up a box of ammo if I get too lazy. :D

I want a do all machine that will work on the range and field without busting the bank or taking a lot of my time. I think the .223 is probably the right choice for me right now. If the floodgates open and this becomes an obsession then I'm sure I'll have each of them within a year but I'm trying to keep the rifle thing in check. ;)
 
I reload 223 so the cost factor is a little above WMR and less than buying HMR. The 223 will do what you want and more while the other 2 mentioned would be stretched to the absolute max of thier capabilities with a bit of luck tossed in.
 
Why not something like 22 hornet?
__________________
That was going to be my comment. It is closer in power level to the first two selections, the .223 being in another league.
 
.223 for everything from coyotete to deer. I found federal xm193 for $7.99 a box at ar15pro.com youcan hardly find this stuff anymore
 
Had a pack of dogs come into yard a few weeks ago chasing my animals. One of them didn't leave. .22magnum hollowpoint at 60 yds. knocked him over. Dog weighed about 60 lb.s.
 
Had a pack of dogs come into yard a few weeks ago chasing my animals. One of them didn't leave. One .22magnum hollowpoint at 60 yds. knocked him over. Fired from rifle w/20" barrel. Dog weighed about 60 lb.s.
 
Though the 17 beats the 22 mag in terms of energy, trajectory, bullet drift, b.c., in other words, in every way possible, the round should not be used on a coyote outside of 100 yds, in my opinion. for the dogs, i would go with any centerfire, and they can be small; 17 fireball, 21 fireball, 22 hornet, 218 bee, etc. the 223 is plenty.
the 22 mag, only has more energy than a 17 from 1 to 80 yds, after that, the 17 takes over.
 
I use a .17hmr on coyotes here in AZ. I usually don't have to take many shots past 75 yards and that little pill has always stopped them with one shot. I usually call them in so they come to me. I have also done well with .223 on longer shots but this was before I was calling them to dinner. The .17hmr is great if you are saving pelts(less holes to stitch up).
 
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