Rockinbar,
The vote is a great idea except for the fact that MOST who vote will have never had any real experience with shooting coyotes with a 17 HMR. They will have their opinion only, which they are entited to have and to voice. No one is going to force them to hunt with an HMR. What bothers me is that people form an opinion of something and then refuse to either test thier theory or even believe someone like me that has actually put the theory to the test. My theory was that I could in fact be effective with an HMR on coyotes. I feel I have proved that to be true when it is used within its limitations. No one that has posted yet has been able to prove otherwise, and yet we both know that vote you mentioned would be overwhelmingly won out by those against the 17 HMR for coyotes despite the fact that I have shown evidence of it effectiveness and those against it have stated only that they made a shot on a coyote and it ran off never to be found. They can't prove where it was hit, how far it ran, nothing??? Speculation is all that can be made.
When I ask a question about a topic I want information from someone with experience in regards to that topic, not someone's opinion that has never tried it or at least has no hard evidence to back up their opinion, and knowing what I know about shooting coyotes with a 17 HMR and the responses given by others here it makes me seriously question the validity of the information given on ANY subject here on the PM forum. Is it good info from someone that knows, or is it simply someone's opinion who has no real experience????
Granted you all have alot of shooting and hunting experience, and that has formed your opinion of using an HMR and that does count for something. I guess the question is this: What do you have to say about the facts that I have presented about MY PERSONAL experience hunting coyotes with an HMR?? Why will you not allow MY real life experience show you that your first impression may have been incorrect?? It's like looking at a red car, knowing its red and calling it green anyway.
Again, I am not saying the 17 HMR is the best rifle to use. I have even said in other threads that I use other, larger calibers for the majority of my coyote hunting. I am not even saying why a person would use one instead of something bigger. That is a personal choice and is the same as asking why you would bowhunt when you can rifle hunt or why would you run when you could take the car. I am just saying that it can be done, I've seen it work.