17 HMR, 20 gr bullet and coyotes at under 100 yda ?

huntschool

huntschool

Member
(posted this on another board and have not gotten any replys. Thought I would ask ya all....)

Ok, so I have had this NEF bull barrel gun almost since they came out. I have a BSA Sweet 17 scope on it "O" at about 75 yds. I have shot both 17 gr and 20 gr loads out of it with virtually the same results as to group (really great, usually 3 touching [beeep] near one ragged hole off a bag) I still hate the trigger even after doing a pretty good job on lightening it.

Any way, I was talking with a graduated student of mine the other day about a 17 center fire I am going to have built and he asked if I had ever shot the HMR on a coyote. I said no. He then tells me that he and some buddies have killed coyotes at under 100 yds with the 20 gr loads and went on to say that many of those were "drop and flop" a bit chest shots but pretty much expired on the spot. There were several others that were DRT with head shots. I have no doubt the head shots would give that result but I wonder about the chest shots.

Now These "kids," all in their mid to late 20's and older, are all good shots and great in the woods, if you will. Just for your info. Also, I am not concerned about the fur. Our coyotes down here in Southernmost Illinois seldom get good enough to worry about fur. We are shooting them for the cow guys and our deer population, etc.

Has anutone here successfully used the HMR 20 gr on coyotes at 100 and under and had quick death or better yet what, in general, have your results been.

Thanks in advance.
 
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It is indeed just fine under even 150 if you use the hollow points. That's down here of course, where there's usually not enough fur to cause a splash. It can be done, but the question is why?

I sure do like small calibers though.
 
Just because you can doesn't mean you should. I've not shot any with a 17 HMR, but others I know have and they won't do it again. Personally I don't recommend it. Others will disagree. YMMV.
 
stick with your plan and build a .17 center fire and be happy. You'll hear plenty of stories of "bang flops" with the hmr, but the failure stories seem to seldom be shared although there's plenty of them.
 
I mean, if I see one while I am out after jacks I sure am not going to let it walk just because I have the hmr, but I would not grab my hmr to go calling.
 
Thanks so far guys. About what I expected. I, personally, have not shot anything but squirrels, a few crows, couple possums and two ground hogs with the HMR. It is because of its "diminutave" size and all the flap that you hear that I brought the question here. All of my yotes have been taken with either a .270 or a beat up old Hornet that still seems to shoot well.

I do have a "stand" (out the bed room window) that has provided some 50 yard and in (one as close as 15 yards) shots on coyotes over the last year. I thought it might be good for that.... just sayin.

Please dont get me wrong. I have hunted all my life and want a quick kill. In all my shooting I have always used what I thought was enough gun for the situation.

Thanks. Keep the comments and thoughts comming.

 
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Tripod: I guess that was a hit..... sorry for the post. I'll try and keep it mor taylored to old guy stuff. Oh yea, I am an old guy.....

Sorry.
 
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My dad shot one with the HMR last week. I believe it was with the 17grn V-Max. He said he pulled into the house and there was a coyote out in the pasture, so he grabbed the closest rifle. He got to within about 70yds of it and shot it in the chest. It yelped and spun and he never did recover it.

That was my biggest fear with the HMR. Losing dogs. Dad normally has a .223 or .222 sitting out for these occasions, but they were in the safe at the time.
 
hey, dont knock on the 17hmr... it worked well for spielberg a couple years ago on that big game hunt that caused all the fuss on social media
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If it was all i had on hand id use one but definitely wouldn't intentionally go out hunting dogs with it. Id like to see a drop and flop with a HMR to the chest though.
 
Originally Posted By: vahunterI shot one in the chest with a 250 grain muzzle loader bullet a few years ago. He ran about 20 yards.

i guess that is kind of like a 17 cal 20 grain bullet.
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I used to go pdogging with an hmr, usually had my .223 with me and never came across a yote.

Exactly 1 trip i decided to leave the 223 after a bajillion trips and of course came across 2 broadside at less than 40 yards.

So BANG
FLOP FLOP ROLL SPIN
and up and running

BANG flop roll spin, this time into a ditch.
And up again,
So bang etc

1 close range into the sweet spot and 2 more just like it stretching out to 120ish yards. Each time i was pretty sure i was done.

Tracked blood for 1/4 mile, tracked tracks with no blood for another hour and then lost all track.

So i started bringing the 223 again, never saw another one in that area.
 
Fox yes... coyote so so.. I tried it on a couple.. all where runners and required follow up to close the deal..
It does make a fine Jack rabbit gopher gun.
 
Thanks everyone. I heard what I thought I would.

I think I will shoot it like I have been and leave the coyotes to my bigger stuff. I like DRT..... Hopefully the 17 center fire I am having built will be exactly what I am looking for.

Again, Thanks.
 
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