Could Use Some Help: 22 WMR or 17 HMR

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Vartarg217

New member
I’ve been coyote hunting for about 10 years with some success, and have killed them with 17 Rem, 204, 223 and 243.

Hunting in a wildlife management area where I’m limited to a rimfire rifle, my choice would be my 22 magnum CZ....but wanted to ask if there’s any argument for the 17 HMR? I’d guess the 17 would be okay for headshots....what about other placements?

Thanks
 
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For coyote I would take the 22 and the heavier the bullet the better. If after something smaller the 17 will do but I personally like the 22 mag in 40 gr
 
I like the 17hmr but don't think it is a good choice for coyote size animals. We use them on fox on occasion but get some runners. Pretty much the same with 22mag. I guess either would work but as Kevin says why not consider a 17WSM.
 
If you're limited to rimfire only, the 17 WSM is definitely the King of the rimfires and offers a good amount more punch than does either the 22mag or 17 HMR.
 
Go with the CZ 512 22mag, I found the 17HMR to be lacking on coyotes, out of 3 that I shot under 50 yards, only collected one and that was only because he had a sucking chest wound and had been hit twice. The other two where head shots, and the bullets splashed when they hit, left a heck of a blood trail and still didn't recover them. Got rid of the 17HMR and picked up a CZ 512 22mag. Haven't used the 17 WSM so can't comment on it.
 
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Originally Posted By: B23If you're limited to rimfire only, the 17 WSM is definitely the King of the rimfires and offers a good amount more punch than does either the 22mag or 17 HMR.

This!
 
Originally Posted By: Eric_MayerOriginally Posted By: B23If you're limited to rimfire only, the 17 WSM is definitely the King of the rimfires and offers a good amount more punch than does either the 22mag or 17 HMR.

This!


Plus 10----my 2 cents --17 wsm best of the Rimfires------------SVB
 
Originally Posted By: John56Go with the CZ 512 22mag, I found the 17HMR to be lacking on coyotes, out of 3 that I shot under 50 yards, only collected one and that was only because he had a sucking chest wound and had been hit twice. The other two where head shots, and the bullets splashed when they hit, left a heck of a blood trail and still didn't recover them. Got rid of the 17HMR and picked up a CZ 512 22mag. Haven't used the 17 WSM so can't comment on it.

Difinatly agree on the 512, best semi auto I have ever owned. Shot everything well but favored the Remington 40 gr
 
Consider the Ruger before you buy the CZ. Check rimfire central forums and read reviews before you buy. The Ruger isn't as fancy but will outshoot most of th CZ 22WMR right out of the box. I did some research on both and found a lot of info about the CZ 22wmr with shooters having accuracy they weren't impressed with. I bought my Ruger last year in the 22" barrel discontinued at cabelas for $199 after my gunsmith had one shooting sub MOA at a 100 yards. I did some research because I just bought a CZ 452 22 lr utralux super exclusive love it. Best groups I could get were .5" at 50 yards. I was researching the CZ 22 wmr over at rimfire central and it sounds like they aren't as accurate as you would think. The Ruger RAR 22 WMR were and are out shooting them.

I found this article when researching them as well...

http://www.downrange.tv/blog/reviewing-the-ruger-american-rimfire-22-magnum/26532/


The Ruger I bought I never cleaned before shooting. I mounted a Nikon pro staff 5 3.5x14 40 mm, mounted it, and polished the trigger group and cut a couple coils off the spring. The trigger brakes crisp at 18oz. Took it to the range. I sighted it in and the first 100 yard group I shot was .643" with Winchester 2250fps 30 gr ballistic tip ammo. I then tried hornady 30 gr 2200 fps vmax ammo. It shot .323" at 100 yards! It shot a hair tighter than the article I read about it above!!! I believe the aluminum bedding blocks are the key for the Rugers accuracy. IMO it will probably outshoot most Out of the box CZ's. I. Sure if you pillar bed and acraglass the CZ it will probably shoot as good. I would rather have synethtic so I don't cry when I scratch the nice beach wood on the CZ. Who ever ends up chambering the 17 WSM between the two will get my business first! I'd like a CZ 512 22WMR as well. They are sospose to be the best cycling, most reliable, and most accurate unless your going to spend 2G on a vortquatsen.

There are way more options for ammo in 22 wmr than the the 17 HMR and 17 WSM combined...that aught to tell you something. The one BIG thing I would worry about is how stout the 17 WSM bullets are...or aren't.

I took my warne steel bases off I just paid $25 for the other day if someone wants to buy them from me and replaced it with an EGW picantinny mount so I change back and forth to my prostaff.

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If Hornady would load the 17 wsm with the 25 gr hp, you would have an acceptable winter coyote bullet. The light tipped bullets are not designed for 3-6" of penetration. Stick with the 22 mag and find a 40 gr sp or hp it likes.
 
Found my targets....

100 yards hornady,

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Winchester ammo...

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I don't know how the hornady ammo dose on coyote and fox yet but I can tell you it will take half a rabbits head off at close range and a squirrels head just about completely off at a 100 yards.
 
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Another vote for Ruger American 22 mag & add a can.
Mine likes 40gn CCI Gamepoint and 40gn Aguila Silver Eagle.
Only reason I tried the Aguila was,, it was the only thing on the LGS shelf a couple yeas ago.
The Aguila did shoot marginally better than 6 diff 40gn loads, and had the lowest SD.

Oh, and skip the subsonic 22 mag ammo, it was all over the map vertically at 100 yards, waste of money.
 

I will agree with you as far as the CZ 455 goes, CZ messed up with that one, I have both and the 512 will outdo the 455 any day with just about any ammo. They should have built the 455 like the 452 and it would have a winner but the interchangeable barrel idea doesn’t work like the permanant screw on barrel






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I’ve recovered coyotes shot in the head to 100 yards with the 17 hmr but never a body shot. Never used a 22 mag but personally I’d use a shotgun and 4bk before those options for calling. The right choke and load combo can take your shot out a long ways and all the management areas I’ve seen in Texas allowed shotgun, is Louisiana the same?
 
I used my 12 gauge for 99.9% of my calling but I figured this Ruger would be fun to try and take some red fox on my property at longer ranges without tearing them in half with a centerfire. I bought mine for small game but figured I'd give it a go. If a coyote shows up I'm sure a 30 gr Right behind the shoulder exploding the lungs should put it down on the spot inside a hundred yards...because I'm sure not going to let it walk by. The problem is with a rimfire it needs to be spot for shot placement so if your rifle/ ammo choice can't shoot under MOA with it I'd tell you to use a shotgun. A rimfire that shoots 2"/3" groups ( which most do)is going to put a shot too far forward or in the guts and cause runners like most posters have done here and blame it on the gun. The other thing I don't like is how unreliable rimfire ammo is. Every range trip no matter what brand it is I have fail to fires. I'd hate to spend all that time and call in an animal and hear a "click".
 
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I have a H&K Model 300 in 22 WMR and I shoot Winchester 40 gr HP's out of it. I don't shoot it a lot any more but used to use it a lot as my closer range calling rifle. Inside of 150 yards it is a coyote whacking rifle and I have shot them as far as 200 yards.
The 22 mag is a great little caliber but as others have said, use a heavier bullet, like the one I mentioned, and I think you will be very happy with it.
 


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