Rimfire only coyotes

O

Oakhill

Member
What rifle would be your pick for a rimfire only area/season? 22 mag or 17 wsm. This would be for night hunting with thermal.

17 wsm bolt

semi auto 22 mag

17 wsm ar upper

Anyone kill a bunch with 17 wsm vs 22 mag, is it really very much more effective?
I would think having a semi auto would be the way to go if you could possibly get 2-3 shots in them vs 1 with bolt?
The 17 wsm ar upper seems like it would be the winner but they are pretty spendy.
 
I love my .22mag but if I had to have a rimfire to shoot coyotes with I would invest in a semi-automatic .17WSM. But as you mentioned they are expensive. So on a budget I'd run the B-Mag and kill coyotes with it. Which I have and I'll tell you why I'd choose it over the .22mag. I've shot coyotes out to 125 yards with the .17WSM in the body and haven't had them run far. I've shot coyotes in the body with the .22mag and never recovered them. Head and neck shots is where it's at with a .22mag and personally I feel like 100 yards is about max on lethality with it. When talkin rimfires the bigger the better for coyotes. Of course that's just my opinion so take it for what it's worth.

I think there are improvements that can be made with even the .17WSM to make it more of an efficient coyote killin cartridge. Someone needs to start loading softpoints and hollowpoints for it. The v-max does well shooting through a coyotes ribs but I feel like having the capability to shoot bullets that don't fragment on bone as badly would greatly improve the effectiveness of that cartridge.
 
A good hit with a rim fire may not anchor the coyote, but in most cases, that coyote won’t be back.

I had a good hit with a 17 HMR a few years ago, all I had at the ready. The dog went down, then got up & scrambled off. I have since incorporated 20 grain soft points in the mix for better performance.
 
I'd prefer the .22 mag with 40-50 gr bullets and keep it under 100.
Not sure if ballistic tips are offered or if they work at that speed.
When I used it years ago it was always a quick double tap, a few moved off and were very hard to track but weren't far away, sometimes had a dog along then, when it was LEGAL with no WAC's.
 
I have a Heckler & Koch model 300 in 22 magnum. It is mostly a safe queen now but years ago I used it for a shorter range calling rifle. I use the Winchester 40 gr HP's and it does a fine job in dropping coyotes if you hit them in the boiler room.

I have no experience with the 17 rim fire calibers so I can't compare it to them.
 
Thanks guys. I agree on the wsm ammo because I don't like vmax bullets for coyotes at all. I found winchester made solid copper 20gr hollow points called power core but it looks like they are discontinued now. I wish they would make those again that might make my decision easier.
 
I've got a Marlin 783 Bolt 22 mag That I'd use for a short range coyote rifle in a heart bbeat. Years ago we had a local dog killing chickens here and couldn't get the owner to do anything about it. 40gr bullet just behind the front leg dropped it in its tracks and that dog was far bigger than ny coyote! Never shot a 17 but I believe the 17 would work well also, just make the right shot! Thing that would bother me with the 17 if barrel fouling. I've read it can be pretty bad to deal with. I would not want a HP bullet if they come in that, simply not a fan of them. I have seen HP bullet's in CF rifles close to point on impact and act like a solid which again, placed right it will work!
 
Wow, That's a tough choice. I favor the 22mag with jacketed hollow points out to 125yds maybe 150yds, and hits with more energy. However 150yds the 17 wsm is more accurate out to 200yds. I'm not a fan of Plastic tip bullets Vmax or any other kind. But a Bolt or Semi or AR. I guess it depends on your setup and range you will most likely be shooting. I'm a night caller using red lights, so majority of the time shots are under 150yds, but not always. Greys 25yds to 100yds. Reds 50yds to 150yds, Coyotes 100yds to 250yds max. I think by using thermal your shots would be closer. I would have to say the Semi 22 mag.
 
I have shot several with a 17 HMR at 10-15 yards, solid hits in the ribs. I found one about 100 yards away and never found the second one.

22 mags work, 40g win hp.
 
22 mag works good for me, 40gr HP's.
I have a H&K model 300 that shoot awesome but to much of a collectors item to get bruised up.

So I just bought a Rossi 22 mag semi auto for under $240 and this puppy shoots great, 10 shot mag
21" barrel and it works everytime even in very cold temps. Fox are back around here, coyotes are on
the down side again. Perfect rifle and caliber for this and carrying in SxS. Don't need to be in a case here, just magazine out of rifle.
 
Originally Posted By: dennyd22 mag works good for me, 40gr HP's.
I have a H&K model 300 that shoot awesome but to much of a collectors item to get bruised up.

So I just bought a Rossi 22 mag semi auto for under $240 and this puppy shoots great, 10 shot mag
21" barrel and it works everytime even in very cold temps. Fox are back around here, coyotes are on
the down side again. Perfect rifle and caliber for this and carrying in SxS. Don't need to be in a case here, just magazine out of rifle.

I love my H&K 300 but agree with you on banging it up. They are going for too much money these days. But, with that polygonal rifling, they hit like a hammer. For close in calling, it is my favorite caliber with that Winchester 40 gr HP.
 
Originally Posted By: WyoBullOriginally Posted By: dennyd22 mag works good for me, 40gr HP's.
I have a H&K model 300 that shoot awesome but to much of a collectors item to get bruised up.

So I just bought a Rossi 22 mag semi auto for under $240 and this puppy shoots great, 10 shot mag
21" barrel and it works everytime even in very cold temps. Fox are back around here, coyotes are on
the down side again. Perfect rifle and caliber for this and carrying in SxS. Don't need to be in a case here, just magazine out of rifle.

I love my H&K 300 but agree with you on banging it up. They are going for too much money these days. But, with that polygonal rifling, they hit like a hammer. For close in calling, it is my favorite caliber with that Winchester 40 gr HP.

What does that bolded portion mean?
 
Originally Posted By: WyoBullOriginally Posted By: dennyd22 mag works good for me, 40gr HP's.
I have a H&K model 300 that shoot awesome but to much of a collectors item to get bruised up.

So I just bought a Rossi 22 mag semi auto for under $240 and this puppy shoots great, 10 shot mag
21" barrel and it works everytime even in very cold temps. Fox are back around here, coyotes are on
the down side again. Perfect rifle and caliber for this and carrying in SxS. Don't need to be in a case here, just magazine out of rifle.

I love my H&K 300 but agree with you on banging it up. They are going for too much money these days. But, with that polygonal rifling, they hit like a hammer. For close in calling, it is my favorite caliber with that Winchester 40 gr HP. I shoot my H&K plenty but it don't ride around in my SxS, I have other rifles for that. That H&K is the most accurate 22 mag I ever owned.
I have ran some rounds over a chrono, it was impressive and the gun is a looker to boot.
 
Thanks for the input everyone. What is the typical reaction when a coyote is shot with 22 mag? Do they do the yip n spin then take off or just bolt? Do they ever just drop when hit in the vitals?
 
Originally Posted By: OakhillThanks for the input everyone. What is the typical reaction when a coyote is shot with 22 mag? Do they do the yip n spin then take off or just bolt? Do they ever just drop when hit in the vitals?

Yes
 
I have had them do everything you mention, it really depends on where you hit them, how far out they are when hit.

I have had them react like they were just injected with the high overdose of Viagra (hump up, go stiffer than a board and then tumble over) but have also had them hit in the heart at 200 yards and run off 50 yards before tumbling over. When their reaction is turning back biting at themselves and spinning around, that usually means your bullet did not strike the vitals.

I will still say that if your shots are inside of 150 yards a 22 WMR is a great caliber to take on stand. Also, using a short range rifle when calling definitely teaches one patience and more skill as you have to let that critter get closer than what you normally might let them get.

Years ago when I was out calling in a location where we had a lot of Red Fox, I had my Heckler & Koch 22 WMR with me at the stand and I had a beautiful Red Fox come in and sit down on his haunches and stare directly at me 60 yards out. I was shooting Winchester 40 gr HP's, which I highly recommend even today. I hit that fox square in the chest and that bullet literally lifted him off the ground and planted him on his back.

My point is, don't overlook the 22 WMR as a very competent short range varmint caliber.
 
Originally Posted By: WyoBullI have had them do everything you mention, it really depends on where you hit them, how far out they are when hit.

That's probably the best answer you could ask for. The only thing I'd add is it's not exclusive to rimfire only because even with centerfires that same answer equally applies.
 
I shoot for the head or neck with a .22mag. So most of the time they don't do anything except fall over. Unless you hit them in the jaw or somethin.
 


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