Coyotes with a 17 mach 2?

[Cutty]

How far would you guys feel comfortable taking a coyote with a 17 mach 2?

I've got a tricked out Ruger 10/22 ( heavy, fluted Butler creek barrel with a target crown, re-worked trigger, butler creek synthetic stock capable of a legit .45 MOA at 50 yards) but I'm thinking of picking up an EBACO 17 mach 2 conversion barrel and bolt.

What do you guys think?

Or should I just buy a Savage .223; .22-250?

[LB]

Sensitive subject, everybody has a different opinion.

Mine is that 22-250 is a very good starting point for just about any reasonable presentation, out to beyond 400 yards, or so.

A 17 Remington, and similiar, is limited to about 150 yards, under normal conditions.

Anything less is not responsible hunting, in my opinion. You have to do all you can to eliminate runners.

Good hunting. LB

[Fiftydriver]

From the performance I have seen with the 17 HMR used on badgers here in Montana, I would not even recommend the much hotter 17 HMR for yotes.

They just do not have the penetration needed for these heavier critters.

The 17 rimfires are rodent rounds in my opinion, gophers, P.dogs and such.

Would they kill a coyote, certainly!!

But the 22 Mag is a vastly better yote killer due to its better penetration performance and still I do not think this is adiquate.

I believe rifle rounds used for coyotes would start with the small centerfires for calling rifles in closer cover. The 22 Hornet, 22 K-Hornet, 218 Bee and 218 Mash Bee are what I would recommend as minimal.

The 221 FB is a great yote round but in my opinion, the open country coyote rounds should start with the 223 and go up from there.

That is what I woudl recommend any way, my personal yote hammer is a 257 STW shooting the 100 gr Bonded Core FBHP Wildcat Bullets to 4000 fps.

Obviously I could care less about pelt damage!!

I would not ues the 17 M2 on yotes intentionally in any situation, just not enough round to be an efficent killer and I feel even these dogs need to be hammered quickly and cleanly.

Good Shooting!!

Kirby Allen(50)

[kac1345]

I like that Kirby about the Pelt Damage [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I would love to see a yote hit with a 100 grainer doing 4k at say 30-40 yards [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] it would rain for a while I would imagine...sorry guys couldn't resist! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] I have only seen it rain like that one day! in my life and that was a Fat Kaliforna Ground SQ.. shot at 30 yards with 22-250. WHEW!! it was a sight!

[LB]

On a routine lung shot, 100 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips @3650MV blow out the far side with half dollar exits, near or far.

Facing chest shots, or a hit in the spine is a mess, but I don't worry about fur, either.

Main point is that this is consistant with many high velocity chamberings, suitable for predators. You hit a major bone and you have a mess.

I have seen many dead coyotes, hit with a 220 Swift or 243 that do just as much, if not more damage, as does my 25'06 AI.

In my opinion, the heavier bullets kill just as well, but cause less damage....generally speaking.

But, getting back to the question; I would not recommend any rimfire for coyotes. You may get away with it once or twice, but the odds are against you.

Good hunting. LB

[Taos]

We have been having dismal results shooting coyotes out here with the .17HMR. Out of about 10-12 taken all had to be shot again with a centerfire of some kind. It is a small rodent round at it's very best. I was very intersted when they came out but for what I would use it for it does not cut the mustard.

[budlight]

I used to do lots of shooting with a 22-250. I have since moved up in diameter. I do a fair amount of dog hunting with remote callers and just out road hunting.

My buddy uses his 6mm rem. It works pretty good with 75 grain hollow points. I prefer my .277 or .284 If I'm pelt hunting I use hard copper bullets like the Seirra HPBT in the 140 grain .277 or the 168 gr. HPBT match bullets for my 7mm STW. Those just both dump dogs at long range. No expansion so it's tiny hole no matter how the dog is hit.

Nothing sweeter than a dog out mousing over 1/4 mile away and they didn't even hear it coming. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

As to the above posting. I'd don't call it responcible hunting with less than centerfire .22's and then the high end ones only.

As for completly tearing apart dogs (Causing Rain) My 458 win mag with custom 275 grain 3/8th inch diameter hollow points loaded to 3000 FPS is the ultimate small animal gun.

It's better than 50 BMG unless somebody gets a lightweight hollow point going! I've been on the .50 hunts and those really long shots watching on spotting scopes is fun.