.17 HMR success

[Tegr0429]

Does anyone else run a .17 HMR for coyotes, foxes, cats? I have for years and haven’t had but a coyote or two get away after being hit. I’m just curious if anyone else uses a .17 as their main predator gun.

 

[ChrisA]

No. Only fast centerfire 17 calibers.

 

[Lawnboi]

Shot a bunch of fox with them and havnt been disappointed.

 

[Gershot]

Yep, .17 HMR all day for those little predators.

 

[StupidLightweight]

While I prefer larger cartridges for coyotes, which are pound-for-pound tougher than anything besides ground squirrels and prairie dogs, I must admit that every coyote i've hit with the .17 HMR has died and been recovered, including one at a staggering 225 yards. On that shot, the bullet hit the heart but never expanded.

For foxes and bobcats, the little HMR is close to ideal. The only better options is the .17 Hornet.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Small sample sets. NM Grey Fox was PERFECT. Coyotes...even off a bipod and well placed.....runners. Found and piled up. Zero blood and not ideal.

Anything below the 10-12 pound mark and it's Money!

I reload 95% of all my ammo. But there sure is a lot to like about grabbing a little rifle and pre rolled box of ammo and leaving at any time.

Big fan

 

[longrangelead]

yep, I've killed several big Montana coyotes and fox out to about 100 yards, treed bobcats, skunks, raccoons and countless squirrels. it's a potent little round.

it's not my main predator rifle, just the around the house rifle.

 

[Gmr777]

All coyotes I’ve shot out to 150 yards have dropped within 10 yards. No exit hole but it’s a deadly little round when put in the right spot. Great if you’re trying to save the fur.

At 50 yards 17gr BT will almost go though 3/8 steel and 20gr HP will blow right through.

 

[RWT]

Not true varmints as requested. Maybe a little thicker skinned to prove viability.

17HMR CZ457
Arken Epl
17gr CCI
TBAC rimfire can
100 yards for both

First pic. 60ish lb hog shot in the chest in the crease for a lung shot. Ran ROM 40 yards from feeder

Second pic. 100-120ish lb hog shot behind the ear DRT. Shot a second time as it continued to have nerve reactions 5 mins later.

I have shot mine to 330 yards dialing and hit 6” steel easily on first round a number of times. You can count to 2 or a full 1 Mississippi waiting in the hit.
Wicked little round

 

[huntsman22]

The only better options is the .17 Hornet.

Says the guy with no 17WSM......

 

[StupidLightweight]

Good point on the .17 WSM. That's a beastly rimfire.

What rifle is that? I lost interest in the Wizzum when only junk rifles or single-shots were available.

 

[diamond10x]

Good point on the .17 WSM. That's a beastly rimfire.

What rifle is that? I lost interest in the Wizzum when only junk rifles or single-shots were available.

Zermatt RimX action but not sure on the rest of the rifle.

 

[huntsman22]

RimX, Lilja barrel, TT Diamond trigger, AG Privateer stock, LRTS.

 

[TheGDog]

I'm finally to a point now, being newer into hunting (11 years now), that I've taken enough of them now, that I'm now OK with "risking" trying the .17 HMR for Coyotes. I have no doubts it'll get the job done for my usual sits where I call them in to like 25-45yds.

Super accurate lil Savage 93R17 with the Heavy Barrel. Farthest Ground Squirrel to date was been 104yds LRF'd off those ultra lite tent-pole style rapid-deploy Kwik Stix.

LOVE making Rabbits do backflips with headshots at minimum 80yds away!

There was one time, heading back to vehicle, on an outing for rabbits... nearing the vehicle, had an offhand opportunity on another Rabbit at about 60yds. And ya know, since hoofin it back to truck... got some pulse goin on and such. So... since standing freehand, I allowed myself to aim it more toward the body just to increase chances of connecting...

And when I let her rip? ...

Ugh... The bullet must have entered juuust below the diaphragm... because it left the diaphragm intact... but completely gutted-him.. and split the pelvis wide open! So.. much to my cringey dismay... there he was, with just his front paws trying to pull himself toward the rabbit brush. So I had to run over there and finish it by hand. Which is never a great feeling. BUT.. I convey all that to give some "color" to how much damage the round CAN actually do.

Also, in my initial testing of the cartridge before using it on game, I shot a TNT Green 17gr at a piece of Mild steel tubing, diameter something like 2" with approximately 1/4" or 3/8" walled tubing.

At 100yds, the projectile pierced cleanly thru the first wall of the tubing. (This tubing piece I found at the location, looked like it had been shot at with maybe cowboy action type rounds. Was a lot of larger caliber dents on the metal in places, so figure 44 mag cowboy loads which are a softer lead, if I recall.)

I also found a Mule Deer Scapula bone, and out at 100yds tried to aim for the thickest parts of it. Went thru no problem. and that bone? Wasn't terribly old and sunned/weathered either.

 

[Buckhead]

I carry a .22 Mag or a .17 HMR in the off season, while scouting our deer lease. Usually take my Foxpro X24 with me and will set up trying to call in random predators, usually targeting raccoons. I have killed a couple Yotes with the HMR when called in, usually under 100 yds. Unless a head shot, they will do the spin and run. Can be difficult to recover if in timber or brush. Had better luck with the .22 mag. Every Coyote I have shot with the Mag dropped within sight. Also short range shots, definitely more anchoring power at close range.

Attached is a picture of a yote I shot with my CZ452 Varmint in HMR.

Have no doubts about the .17 WSM being effective, however, my personal experience hasn't been positive. I have a skinny barrel Bmag (inaccurate, quality issues) and a Contender Carbine (not a single shot guy). More the rifles than the caliber.