17 wsm for coon calling

D

docjon2013

New member
Hello
I am getting ready to pick up a rim fire for coon calling and have narrowed it down to a Henry lever in 22 mag or a savage B in 17 wsm. What do you think? Ammo for both is kinda hard to find right now. Most shots are going to be at max 50 yards mostly 20 to 30 shooting them out of the tree. Thanks for your time
Jon
 
I am getting a Bmag to try out coon calling. Been using a .22 mag but getting some pelt damage on some of the exits and my marlin has a bull barrel and at the end of the day it gets a little heavy. I am anxious to find out how it performs on coons..... Keep you posted Jim
 
Back in my coon huntin' day's I always used a good old Ruger 10/22 in 22lr. I just recently got a B-mag and would think that it would be a little much for the coon pelts. Of your two choices I would go with the 22 mag.
 
I have never called coons before but I have killed plenty with a 10/22. I don't see why it would not work for the distance I will be shooting them. It would be head shots only. I don't see why I could not use it and save the money on the gun.
 
For head shot only, a .22lr works great shooting up into tree'd coons. Shot a bunch like that. 15-20 yards max distance, easy shot.
 
I would also think the BMag could possibly be a little rough on the fur. We tend to use the ole standby for calling coons- a Marlin 925M 22 Mag with CCI 40gr HPs. Head shots result in immediate death and a broadside torso shot when needed kills quickly. The broadside shots on coon is where the 22 mag trumps the 22 LR IMO.
 
Peep would be OK, however, I have found that when it comes to coon calling, your shots may be a little longer than you think. A treed coon from dogs is one thing. But seeing eye shine at 30-40yds from calling and when a coon goes up a tree to investigate (what happens to me most of the time), is going to be a challenging shot with a peep sight. A decent 3-9, fix 4 or 6X, and something with good light transmission has worked well with me.
 
I always had a hard time scoping a lever gun. My savage 99 and my winchester 88 are the only scoped lever guns I got. If your hunting in low light then a scope may be a better option or if your set on iron sight then look at a fiber optic front sight. There is a custom sight maker that make a peep that dovetails into the existing rear sight dovetail he also makes brass front sights. You could mount those and still have the option of mounting a scope to the receiver. This is my coon calling rig marlin 25/20 with Williams peep and fiber optic marbles front does well for me in low light.http://www.skinnersights.com/henry_rifles_18.html
120C4316-6325-46D1-8BC9-4A90D65B0889-4053-000007C68D18DA53_zpse6d77c81.jpg
 
Last edited:
Leadbelly do you like the Williams? I notice the make one to fit on dovetails. I will be calling during the day only we are not allowed to call at night here.
Thanks again
 
The Williams sights are inexpensive but a good sight. Some of the Williams sights for groove rimfires have to have low front sights. So you may want to look into that before ordering. If your going to try fiber optic front or if you'll try various sized front sights a Williams front sight pusher is a must (if your rifle has a ramped front sight) if the front sight is dovetailed then a rubber mallet a wooden dowel rod will work. Some folks sight in for poi above the front sight some sight in for poi to be the front bead just find what works for you at your expected taget range. Also I would check out some other brands xs,necg,brockmans,Lyman etc. Lyman and Williams sights are made of aluminum some folks prefer steel.
 
Originally Posted By: NYyotekillerBack in my coon huntin' day's I always used a good old Ruger 10/22 in 22lr. I just recently got a B-mag and would think that it would be a little much for the coon pelts. Of your two choices I would go with the 22 mag.

Shooting a treed coon in the head is a lot easyer than shooting a coon in the head thats being called,a lot of times the come out charging the call.

Ive used 12ga 2-3/4 4 buck with very little pelt damage,i also carry 22mag for the ones that dont charge.

You may be suprised how little damage a 12ga will do to pelts
 
Back
Top