.17HMR or .22mag Lever Gun For Coon Calling?

doodle

doodle

New member
I am wanting to purchase a lever action rifle primarly for calling coons. I have looked at the Henry's and have no idea which would be the better caliber for coon calling, .17HMR or .22mag.
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I want to take all things into consideration (ex. cost, avalibility of ammo, accuracy, knock down power, ect.) It is important to me that I can dispatch a coon quickly with a body shot, however minimal fur damage is disired as I finish and sell all my pelts. I know there are guys that have experience with both calibers. Please, any and all inputs, thoughts, and opinions will be appriciated and taken into consideration. Thanks
 
What type or range do you anticipate? I'd say a 17HMR if pelt damage is concern. 17HMR vmax match ammo is...every bit of 17HMR ammo out there, and it isn't terribly expensive, so I'd say it'd be the better choice.
 
The range I am anticipating is fifty yards or less for coons, I have never taken one further than that so far.
 
Just out of curiosity cedarcreekcooner. Did the .17 not have the knockdown, what caused you to not have much luck?
 
Good choice in the lever gun!

I recently bought a Henry 22WMR for shooting treed Coons and Cats for my Cur dogs. So far I've only shot a few trainer Coons (live trapped and released) that were treed so the distances weren't over twenty yrds (if that). Pelt damage was one .224 dia hole with no exits using 40gr Win. JHP's.
I've shot that same bullet in my old Mossberg bolt action WMR for allot of years and have always had good results on Coon sized critters.
Can't speak for the HMR as I've never owned one and probably never will, but I have always owned a 22WMR and know that it's probably THE most favorite cartridge ever, where Coon Hunting is concerned. Maybe it's simply because it's older than the HMR but I don't think so. For me, the heavier (harder hitting) WMR using bullets that were designed for hunting gets the nod, but that's JMO.

I bought the octagon barreled Henry. It's a nice little gun and super accurate. The Skinner aperture sights I put on her allow my tired old eyes to shoot Ground Squirrels out to 75-80 yrds and still not have to put a scope on a lever gun. Which is a sacrilege IMO. lol
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The little carbine would have been less expencive and probably a little handier with the lighter barrel, but I just couldn't abide the plastic parts on them even though there's only a couple (barrel band and front sight ramp). Guess I'm just old and don't accept change well.
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Luck whatever you deceide.
Charlie
 
OK, distance around 50 yards...
What type of country are you in?
Is there a chance you will be shooting through brush, twigs or grass to hit the coon?
If so, I'd go with the 22 Mag. Less chance of bullet deflection.
JMO
 
Taking notes guys. Loved the pictures RePete.

50 yards would be about my max distance, and I am in central Mo. so I have alot of Brush for sure.
 
Shooting "through" brush is an old wives tail.
Mostly talked about by writers in gun rags that need to get a story in on time to get a paycheck.
ANY bullet will be deflected by hitting a twig or branch, or even a blade of grass for that matter.
 
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Originally Posted By: RePeteShooting "through" brush is an old wives tail.
Mostly talked about by writers in gun rags that need to get a story in on time to get a paycheck.
ANY bullet will be deflected by hitting a twig or branch, or even a blade of grass for that matter.


Ahhhhh... good post ol'wiseman .
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At 50 yards either will do the job well. The HMR is a bit more quiet, and by design (or what ever word you would want to use) is a more accurate round. I've never been more impressed from a rounds accuracy than by the 17hmr. That said on a clean no obstruction shot hmr is great. Hit anything before what your aiming at and your probably done, as the vmax or hollow point type rounds will explode on impact on a twig, and the fmj's would need to be a perfect shot. Bottom line is the lighter the round the more effected it will be by the elements. Since you are in a lot of brush, and it's known to be a bit windy there, I might go to the 22 mag, even though my HMR is my favorite round to shoot.
 
So far by my counting (not garenteed accurate 1,2,4,3,7,8,9) I have 1 for the .17 and 4 for the .22 mag which is seeming to be gaining ground as the favorite.
 
Originally Posted By: RePeteHey,,,, Who you calling old?

Good thing for you that I gotta go change my Depends, or I'd really tell you off.
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Don't worry ,you'll forget what I said in just alittle while !

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For the past few weeks Ive been batting this same question around, though Im looking for a revolver, so its a bit different.

The majority of folks Ive talked to online and in person have not had the best results from the 17hmr on coon unless its been a head shot.

the reasons have been anywhere from too light a bullet, coons are just that tough, bullet not getting through the fur/fat (pretty chubby late in the year).

I asked my local gun dealer, whom I trust, said most of the fellas that go from the mag to the 17, eventually go back to the mag, the 17s just doesnt do as well on raccoon.

I think im going the mag route, have a few already so Ill have the ammo, just need a new toy to try out LOL

Good luck and hope this helped

Dave
 
I like both calibers but I'd have to choose the .22Mag over the .17HMR for shootin raccoons.I think the .22Mag has a little more knockdown power than the .17HMR and I'd have to imagine a raccoon comin into a call is gonna be moving around a little bit so the way I see it is that the gun with more knockdown power is gonna give you a little more room for error.Just in case you don't make a good hit with the first shot.
 
I think if you did a side by side test of the 17HMR and the 22Mag you will find the 17HMR will most likely deflect from its intended path quicker than the 40gr 22 Mag bullet. It will most likely fragment sooner as well.
JMO
 
I had a 17 HMR since they came out.. Sold it.. I am now looking to get a 22 Mag.. I wasn't that impressed with the 17.. IMO it is a 150 yard round at best. And the wind messes with it as well.. The 22 mag comes in a 40 grain bullet . Personally I think the 22 Mag is a more versatile round.
 
17 HMR with 20gr hollow point will work good on coons. CCI 20 gr soft point might also work, which I will try this season. This will be my 3rd season for coon den calling and so far I've taken about 75 coons with it.
 
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