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Old 02-04-2017, 12:22 PM
slingshot27 slingshot27 is offline
 
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Default .17 vs 223

Wanting to do some coyote hunting and was looking for pro and cons on three different calibers. The 17 hmr 17 wsm and 223.
I do enjoy reloading and am leaning on the 223 for that fact but wanted some ideas.
Thanks guys.


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  #2  
Old 02-04-2017, 12:57 PM
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17 cal bullets are too light in my mind. Reloading them? I guess so but why? .223 for coyotes
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Old 02-04-2017, 01:02 PM
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pikergolf pikergolf is offline
 
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In my opinion the 17 hmr is to light. I've shot one coyote with it at fifty yards, was not pretty and I would never do it again.
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Old 02-04-2017, 01:10 PM
dewalt18 dewalt18 is offline
 
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223 would be (and was) my choice. Easy to reload for if you're setup, easy to find ammo for if you're not. Another option of consideration would be a 204, but I believe they can be pricey to shoot if you're not rolling your own
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Old 02-04-2017, 01:15 PM
rwalker rwalker is offline
 
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I'd not use a 17 HMR. I've used them for gophers a fair bit and its fine for that but I think far too weak overall. The ballistics are terrible and the accuracy is not stellar. I once hit a gopher at 238 yards (ranged). It was my 3rd shot at the critter and feel it is more luck than anything else. At any rate once I checked out the result there was nothing more that a slight bulge.

I have a 17 Remington fireball which is also great for gophers but I've never tried it on a coyote - I would be worried about immediate breakup on contact with no penetration. I'd go for nothing less than a 223 and personally use a 22-250 with a 52-55 grain for the purpose.
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Old 02-04-2017, 01:39 PM
slingshot27 slingshot27 is offline
 
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Thanks guys. I got the answer I thought I would. 223 it is. Any recommended brands of rifles.


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Old 02-04-2017, 01:51 PM
rwalker rwalker is offline
 
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That is almost entirely a matter of preference. My coyote rifle is a Ruger No.1 and love it. I don't think it is as accurate as a bolt action but coyote hunting is not a precision sport.

It might be a question about price point. If you want a budget rifle i've heard good things about the savage axis and the ruger american. I'd completely avoid the remington 783 though - I've handled one and have not been impressed.

Savage is good right out of the box especially if you can get an accustock model. Remington is touch and go. It appears that one needs to generally get them bedded and a good trigger job, but with excellent gunsmiths like Henry Rempel around, a Remington 700 would be an good choice.

So in summary, I don't think it necessarily about brand X is better than brand Y but what rifle you'd enjoy carrying in the field and what scope is perched on top. You've picked the cartridge...beyond that it is almost a no lose situation!
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Old 02-04-2017, 03:37 PM
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Each rifles has its pros and cons.

If I were to buy another 223 I'd likely get a laminate tikka or possibly a wooden cz
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Old 02-04-2017, 04:09 PM
southernman southernman is offline
 
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If your a pelt hunter, the .17 and 20 cal enterfires are good choices, if you just eliminating coyotes, then .223 and up,
I thought the 6mm Remington 55-70g was a good choice, (it is if you want them dead) but the few I shot with it, were destroyed as far as a good skin goes.
I have shot three or four with the .17 fireball, and no exit,
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Old 02-04-2017, 04:11 PM
slingshot27 slingshot27 is offline
 
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I am for both. I'm concerned that the 17 may only wound vs kill.


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Old 02-04-2017, 04:20 PM
wildalberta wildalberta is offline
 
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i have a 17 fireball. love the gun for calling and packing its a lightweight frame. i wouldnt have allot of confidence in it past 200-250 yards and thats a calm day, to make a good kill. i still love my 22-250 for most of my coyote blastin.
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Old 02-11-2017, 02:25 PM
Random_randall Random_randall is offline
 
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Default school calle

17 will get the job done if you can get them close enough.

If the coyotes are a pest to you well worth getting a 223 at a slightly more costly price to be free of them.
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Old 02-11-2017, 02:58 PM
slingshot27 slingshot27 is offline
 
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Perfect. Thanks guys!!


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  #14  
Old 02-11-2017, 03:49 PM
Alephnaught Alephnaught is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slingshot27 View Post
Wanting to do some coyote hunting and was looking for pro and cons on three different calibers. The 17 hmr 17 wsm and 223.
I do enjoy reloading and am leaning on the 223 for that fact but wanted some ideas.
Skip the HMR and WSM, go .17 Hornet for plinking/ground squirrels & .223 for coyotes.
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Old 02-11-2017, 04:27 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is offline
 
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I would have no issue shooting a coyote at 150 yards or so with a 17 hornet, and at least 200 yards with a 17 fireball, but I wouldn't purposely hunt coyotes with a 17rimfire.
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Old 02-12-2017, 12:50 PM
fps plus fps plus is offline
 
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The 17 rim fires are too small for reliable kills on coyote. When I was seriously hunting coyotes I used 17 Remington and 25 gr hornady hp.
The 223 is a good coyote caliber as well , far superior to the 17 rimfires
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Old 02-12-2017, 01:06 PM
West O'5 West O'5 is offline
 
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Probly ruffle some feathers here,but I wouldn't even consider the .22WMR a serious coyote rifle much beyond 100y,let alone any of the .17 rimfires.
.204R is a sweet,fur friendly chambering if,as mentioned,you roll yer own,otherwise it's gonna be a bit pricey to feed if you want to do any amount of shooting.
If you don't reload,pretty hard to beat the .223 with dozens of good factory loaded offerings to choose from for hunting and cheap milsurp for plinking.
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Old 02-12-2017, 02:42 PM
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Groundhogger Groundhogger is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight01 View Post
Each rifles has its pros and cons.

If I were to buy another 223 I'd likely get a laminate tikka or possibly a wooden cz
I have an exceedingly accurate Savage 10 heavy barrel, but, buying today...I'd take Flight01's advice. Either a CZ527 Varmint in .223, or, a Tikka Varmint in .223. It would be a tough call between the two, with maybe a slight edge towards the Tikka for practical purposes. The CZ is a prettier gun though IMO.
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Old 02-14-2017, 12:41 AM
ForwardBias ForwardBias is offline
 
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223 for me.
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