best 17 hmr ammo for coyotes

Although most .17 HMR loads feature featherweight 17-grain projectiles, V-Max bullets are designed to violently fragment in soft tissue. 223 is also good as is 221 fireball and 222 rem. Still, many hunters do not have a dedicated centerfire coyote rifle, and so when it comes time to go yote hunting, they grab their trusty rimfire. Is 17 HMR good for coyote hunting? However, choosing the best 17 HMR ammo will help you maximize the potential of your 17 HMR target and hunting rifle. Location. Winchester 17 HMR 20gr JHP is the best 17HMR ammo for coyote hunting because the bullet is a little heavier, so it will pack more of a punch than lighter bullets. For coyotes, you want a bullet that will penetrate deep and expand, to damage as much tissue as possible. Yet, don't be fooled; it can still take down larger predators such as coyotes. .tg .tg-sklq { The 17 HMRs suitability for coyote hunting comes with a caveat: Keep a much closer distance between yourself and your quarry than you would if you were varmint hunting. Both are medium-weight barrels heavy enough to hold steady but still light enough that the 6.5-pound rifle is easy to carry afield comfortably. The HMR portion of the name is an acronym of the Hornady Magnum Rimfire name. Notably, the $0.40 cents per round of 22WMR or 17HMR is right around the cost of basic . Adding a red dot or reflex sight to your scattergun can help increase accuracy. That makes crowning the best coyote cartridge a nearly impossible task. There really is no perfect cartridge for hunting these wily canine predators. Surprisingly, one of the best coyote loads for the .22 Magnum is the common 40-grain hollow point. This law also restricts communications that promote an organization such as ours. This is a flat-shooting cartridge, which lets a competent shooter group shots like clockwork at ranges well beyond 100 yards. If you still want to know which one is better, then we have to tell you that .22 WMR penetrates deeply, while the .17 HMR is faster. Rifles chambered in .17 Hornet are some of the softest shooting varmint rifles youll ever lay hands on, which makes high-volume coyote hunting far more enjoyable. With the .22 Magnum, .17 HMR, and Winchesters .17 Super Magnum, you can opt for a more explosive bullet because the higher velocities will translate to more tissue damage. The last point to make with this topic is one of hunting ethics since the HMR isnt considered an ideal cartridge for hunting yotes and is a bit underpowered. font-size: 18px; We include a quick look at 17 HMR ballistics and some recommendations for specific ammo loads. The design also makes it easy to handle in the field. It is capable of sending featherweight 24-grain bullets downrange at blistering velocities (near 4400 fps). Comments have to be approved before showing up, 2021 Foundry Outdoors - All Rights Reserved, Product successfully added to your Shopping Cart, 223 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 243 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 25 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 300 RSAUM Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum Ammo, 7mm RSAUM Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum Ammo, .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire for Coyote Hunting? Due to its small size, the 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire has limited hunting and long-range capabilities. We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. I believe there are three main factors that we all should consider when choosing the best ammo. Of the two, the .17 HMR is far and away the most popular. As a result, the NRA is forced to restrict the sending of certain materials and information into California. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .22 WMR Winchester Magnum Rimfire. Get free updates when we add new tips, articles and more! Although the 6.5 Grendel may not have the same superstar-level status as the 6.5 Creedmoor, it may have more to offer modern coyote hunters. However, it beings to lose its effectiveness on game species larger than a fox, and there are far better rimfire and centerfire coyote calibers on the market. A .22 mag is way more affordable with magazines than a .17 HMR. The jacketed hollow point is used for self-defense and hunting because it expands on impact just as a traditional hollow point does, but it feeds better in semi-auto handguns and rifles. With a muzzle velocity of around 2500 fps, you can expect about 7 to 10 inches of penetration with some fragmentation that will enhance tissue damage. Not a problem, let us find some basic differences between the two. Promising durability and performance in equal measure, this rifle has justly earned its place on our list. Now, what we must tell you is that the .17 HMR is a perfect choice for squirrel hunting. The 15-grain bullet is a real rocket, blistering along at 3,300 ft/s from the 24" test barrel. I like 50 and 55 gr bullets but there will be pelt damage on foxes.22 hornet is a good compromise for 22 cal but you drastically shorten the range. This is appropriate for target shooting and small game hunting. font-family: Arial, sans-serif; But, again, this is not an exact science but merely an exercise to make a point. As an example, it doesn't take extraordinary effort to punch three shots into .8 inch with the 20-grain load. This versatile cartridge will drop yotes from close range to well beyond 300 yards. For example, shot placement, bullet configuration, penetration, bullet performance, etc., all play a part in determining the actual effectiveness of a caliber on a game species. 17 HMR VS 22 Mag Coyote Hunting: Whats Better 22 Mag or 17 HMR? They also happen to be our favorites. The price isn't the lowest, but it's reasonable considering the ammo quality. Here are five of. Copyright @ Hunter-gear.com 2010 - Present, average male coyote weighs between 18 and 44 pounds, 15.5 grains (which is only available in a lead-free version), 20 grain (the largest bullet option currently on the market). The HMR is built on a 22 Magnum case mated to a 17 caliber bullet. However, the first thing that you need to focus on is what kind of hunting interests you. The Hornady V-MAX bullet is an excellent example of a polymer-tipped bullet. These bullets shoot cleaner, so you don't have to clean the barrel as often. The Ruger Precision Rimfire 17 HMR is a bolt-action rifle featuring a one-piece chassis and a Quick-Fit adjustable buttstock, so it can quickly adapt to most shooters. The only difference, for instance, in the Remington "Accu-Tip" and the Hornady "V-Max" bullets is the color of the plastic tip, since both are Hornady V-Maxes. Again, if you want to go after smaller creatures, then the .17 HMR is the one for you. However, it also has plenty to offer coyote hunters. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. Best 223 Ammo; Best .44 Magnum Ammo; Best Shotgun Shell Types for Home Defense & Hunting; Best 270 Ammo for Hunting; Best 17 HMR Ammo for Varmint Hunting and Plinking; Best Bulk 22 Rimfire Ammo; 4 Best AK-47 Ammo Picks [7.62x39] Best 38 Special Ammo for Self Defense; Best Handgun Ammo for Self-Defense in Common Calibers; Best 308 Ammo For . background-color: #333333; Honestly, there are a few who would not want squirrel hunting to get expensive. When it comes to dropping yotes, bigger isnt always better. Just $1 per month , The truth is that rimfires are a little on the light side for coyotes, so its critical that you select the right load. Were going to show you the ins and outs of the most popular coyote cartridges in current production. If pancake-flat trajectories, excellent ballistic coefficients, and fairytale accuracy turn you on, the 6.5 Creedmoor should be your dream cartridge. Plus, plenty of passing yotes have fallen victim to a deer hunters .308 bolt-action. Heres the unsatisfying conclusion to our little math exercise: No 17 HMR ammo will transfer 290 ft lbs of energy to its target, even right out of the muzzle. Meanwhile, the .22-250 load sends the same bullet zipping out the barrel 440 fps faster (3680 fps). The .243 Winchester has earned a reputation as a mild-recoiling hunting option for young hunters. Like .22 mag is the best choice for coyotes, and .17 HMR rifle is good for mid-range gaming. As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. While reloading isn't possible with rimfire brass, you can handload it to save a little money. The form collects name and email so that we can add you to our newsletter list for project updates. Ive taken a few myself with a 17 HMR, but Ill get more into that below. 1 spot on our list of best scopes for the 17 HMR. Both are good firearms, but they have a few limitations. } So lets dive in and see if it makes sense to go coyote hunting in extreme cold. Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. How well your ammo performs also depends on the situations in which you use it. As a smart tip, you can adjust the bolt for a short rimfire pull or a longer one to mimic the feel of a "big rifle.". First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire. Although some shooters use the terms caliber and cartridge interchangeably, the words refer to vastly different things. The .204 Rugers recoil is soft as a kitten. The 17 HMR has a muzzle velocity between 2600 to 2800 feet per second (FPS) and is a very flat shooting round. The full metal jacket bullet is most commonly used as in target ammo. In 2015, Mann began contributing to Field & Stream to cover guns, ammunition, ballistics, and hunting. I love 17 hmr threads, thanks for posting. As an added perk, it throws a heavier bullet with a higher sectional density than the 6.5 Creedmoor, which means deeper penetration once it reaches your target. Caliber is literally the diameter of a projectile (or the barrel of a firearm that the projectile travels through), and is generally measured in fractions of an inch. However, for the purposes of this post dealing with the 17 HMR ballistics and the ethical harvest of coyotes, lets talk foot-pounds of energy on impact. To tell you the truth, we will have to clarify one thing that the 17 HMR has a better ballistic coefficient in comparison to the .22 mag. The 17 HMR has a muzzle velocity between 2600 to 2800 feet per second (FPS) and is a very flat shooting round. The .22-250 varmint loads drop 5.5 inches less at 400 yards than the .223 Rem. Sportsman's Warehouse offers a wide selection of 17 HMR ammunition that will get you accurate shots with high-energy collisions for your shooting needs. Answer (1 of 10): It depends on shot placement. Although the hide wound is usually minimal, V-Max bullets create a massive and devastating internal wound channel. Many of us had our first introduction to the sport from behind one of these rifles. Hornady V-Max bullet design. At 300 yards, the 17 HMR's common 17 grain projectile retains a 1,090 fps velocity and 45 ft lbs of energy. If youre just trying to do farmers and game animals a favor by reducing the number of coyotes in the area, and you arent worried about selling fur, the .308 Winchester is a highly effective option. Male coyote weigh 18 to 44 pounds for an average of 31 pounds. Even when capped with heavier 40-grain projectiles, the .204 Ruger produces muzzle velocities of 3800 fps or faster. Richard Mann was born and raised in West Virginia and has hunted from the Montana mountains to the green hills of Africa. Loaded with either the V-MAX or NTX bullet, these loads deliver tack-drivin . If you want to curtail some of that pelt damage, look for loads with a controlled expansion bullet, like Hornadys ELD-X. It qualifies as an all-round .22 Long Rifle load but is a bit more expensive than standard fodder. We have three other primary assumptions being made here. To be honest, when we talk about 17 HMR vs 22 mag coyote hunting, we will like to add that both are good for this purpose. According to Wikipedia, the average male coyote weighs between 18 and 44 pounds, while the average female weighs between 15 and 40 pounds. In simple words, if you are planning for bigger animals then the .22 WMR is a great choice for you. The reson for this is both the V-Max and BT are desinged for quick and raiped expantion. .tg td { Messages. Furthermore, we would like to add here that some manufacturers with lighter bullets for rimfire rifles have also slashed their pricing. Hornady makes a 17 and 20 grain selection and the 20 would be best. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. The 17 HMR is the newest rimfire cartridge that has quickly gained a following amongst target shooters and varmint hunters. The .17 WSM is not as solidly established but, based on potential, certainly should be. You know you can go after a raccoon, varmint, and a rabbit with the .17 HMR rifles. For this you need to have all the equipment you need and then can enjoy your hunt. Some weather creates opportunities, while bad weather can take away opportunities. This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. For target shooting, we recommend CCI 17 HMR 20-grain FMJ because they're reasonably priced, cycle reliably in a bolt-action rifle, and are highly accurate. Top 17 Hmr Ammo For Coyotes brands try to offer some unique features that make them stand out in the crowd. The Tikka T1x MTR .17 HMR is a 10-shot synthetic-stock bolt-action rifle. It is shooting the same 17 grain bullet, but at the faster speed. That is to say, we assume the coyote being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). While I concur that the 17 HMR is only suitable for coyotes at shorter ranges (say under 100 yds) and when good shot placement is likely, there is also now a bullet consideration. There are so many different ammo options per caliber because each shooter has unique expectations of how the ammo should perform based on their circumstances. They're both single-action revolvers, with the Ruger being much more expensive than the Chiappa. What this means for varmint hunters, is a bullet that flies flatter, retains more energy and extends your effective range with the .17HMR. You are free to make a choice depending on your hunting style. On the few occasions that I hunted coyotes with a 17HMR, my preferred round is the Hornady XTP 20-grain HP. Regardless of what the label says the vast majority of all 17 HMR ammo is made by CCI. Ammo ; Hornady Varmint Express 17 Grain 17 HMR 50 Rounds; Skip to the end of the . Some snipe them at long range across open fields. Have no experience shooting yotes or bobcat with hmr, but good luck. Although rimfire ammo is relatively cheap, these rounds are on the higher end of 17 HMR ammunition. The third was shot at 80 yards and required a follow-up shot to put it down. What about the other assumptions? Hornady Varmint Express 17 Grain 17 HMR 50 Rounds From prairie dogs to coyote and fox, the Hornady Rimfire line of ammunition offers varmint hunters high speed rimfire cartridges. In the same line of thought, we must continue to inform you that the heavy bullet weight of 22 WMR makes lends it more energy. Hornady Custom .17 Hornet - 25 Grain HP Specifications (#83006): 25 grain HP Varmint bullet. background-color: #efefef; What is the Best Cartridge for Coyote Hunting? On the other hand, the .17 HMR is a comparatively younger model. The downfall of the .17 HMR when used on coyotes is the explosive properties of the bullet. In this conversation about the 17 hmr vs 22 wmr, we have to agree that 2550 FPS giving with 246 FPE or foot-pounds of energy stands out. A bit on the heavy side for fox and varmint targets, the .243 is ideal for coyotes, especially big northern dogs. border-color: black; I believe the reason it was designed on the most part is for coyote hunting. If youre looking for a do-everything cartridge capable of dropping big yotes and big whitetails, this is it. The full metal jacket (FMJ) 20-grain bullet resists wind drift slightly more than lighter bullets, but all 17 HMR bullets are prone to wind drift because they're so lightweight. That means it carries more kinetic energy further distances and it bucks the wind better than either of the .22-caliber rifle cartridges. It shoots reasonably flat, can be used for just about any small-game application, and is arguably the best coyote load for the .22 Long Rifle. However, in recent years, many shooters have noticed the reliability of Winchester ammo decline. Since coyotes arent exactly excellent dinner fare, many hunters pursue them for furs. The .17 Remington, introduced in 1971, was the first .17-caliber cartridge offered in both factory rifles and commercial ammunition. Winchester 17 HMR 20gr JHP is the best 17HMR ammo for coyote hunting because the bullet is a little heavier, so it will pack more of a punch than lighter bullets. the .22 mag has a heavier bullet, but the 17 HMR has the plastic tipped bullets, which are extremely explosive when they expand so I would think roughly equal performance on game. Its lightweight, spitzer-style projectiles have a higher velocity, ballistic coefficient and a resultant flatter trajectory. Explore the wide variety of ammunition with a range of calibers including .17 HMR rimfire ammo from leading manufacturers at Sportsman's Guide. The smallest coyote will let the 17 HMR satisfy the minimum impact energy rule beyond 75 yards! You can now find a plethora of rifles and handguns chambered in 17 HMR. A look at the 17 HMR caliber and how it can be effectively used by coyote hunters in the field. California recently rushed through legislation making it unlawful to communicate to those under 18 about broad categories of firearms, parts, and accessories. It has certainly earned its acclaim fair and square. Published Dec 10, 2020 7:00 PM EST, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. A general rule of thumb with impact energy suggests that a bullet should transfer 10 to 12-foot pounds of energy per body weight of the game species. Not only is this cartridge easy on the ears, but it also works in the hunters favor when multiple dogs come running into the call. text-align: center; Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. This small, lightweight bullet uses sheer. However, most are still a work in progress to get the rounds to feed in semi-auto guns, especially handguns, reliably. The V-MAXs terminal ballistics do tend to make its wound channel relatively shallow, so shot placement does count for a great deal when youre hunting coyote with this bullet. However, bolt-action rifles offer the highest level of accuracy for hunters who like to pop coyotes across acres of open prairie or harvested cropland. Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online. Shane Watson is a Co-Founder veteran. We prefer using the .22 magazine rifle because we know what to hunt. } As explained earlier 22 mag penetrates deeper and this is why we find this to be a better choice over the .17 HMR rifle. There are quite a few differences between the 17 HMR AND 22 WMR. However, the .243 isnt just for young deer hunters. The .22 WMR and .17 HMR are adequate for all small game . The .204 Ruger is the best of the best when it comes to.20-caliber cartridges. The 17 HMR has a key advantage working in its favor: accuracy. Coyote vs. 17 WSM Hornady Rimfire 20 grain - graphic - YouTube 0:00 / 0:30 Coyote vs. 17 WSM Hornady Rimfire 20 grain - graphic Fein Schmecker 340 subscribers Subscribe 223 39K views 4. The polymer-tipped V-MAX bullet is one of the best hunting bullets on the market, which is why you see several ammo manufacturers using this bullet. border-width: 1px; We recommend all the cartridges compared in our ballistic data for coyote hunting except for the Hornady NTX load. what is the best ammo for the 17 hmr for bobcats and yotes. I've always had pretty decent luck with the Hornady labeled CCI 17gr Vmax stuff in my 17 HMR's but there can be a good amount of variance in all of it from Lot to Lot . 8. The cartridge shoots .172-inch-diameter bullets (4.4mm) weighing from 15.5 grains up to 20 grains, and it shoots them fast, at 2,400 to 2,700 feet per second. There are rifles chambered for this popular cartridge in every design under the sun, including semi-automatic modern sporting rifles. It's Consistent It isn't difficult at all to be down at the bench rest with the Savage rifle and turn in excellent groups at 100 yards. Hence, if you are thinking about bullets, then you can reconsider .17 HMR or Hornady Magnum Rimfire these days. Common 6.5 Creedmoor Problems | What You Need To Know. To be honest, coyotes are big, but thin-skinned animals. Everywhere you turn on the internet, some gun writer is singing the praises of this relative newcomer. Although plenty of hunters consider .22 the best caliber for coyote hunting, smaller, lighter .20-caliber cartridges are ideal for fur collectors. Here are five of the best coyote loads for these four rimfires. He is also a long-range shooter and enjoys harvesting coyotes at longer than average distances. 150 yards: the cartridge will handle a 2-pound target. Among predator hunters, the coyote has become the top dog and most popular predator species hunted. The accurate answer is it depends. Currently, 17 HMR ammunition is sold in the following bullet weights: From a bullet type standpoint, this Hornady caliber is available in the following configurations: If you were planning to use a 17 HMR for coyotes, Id completely rule the 15.5 grain rounds out. In short, if you utilize that precision to land your bullet right in the yotes brain or ticker, youre going to watch the roguish beast go down like a sack of bricks even if you do hit it with significantly less energy than its body weight would optimally call for. If you want to do more than kill coyotes, the .223s versatility also makes it a smart option for bobcats and foxes. The .223 Remington is definitely the most popular and affordable option for predator hunting. When hunting small critters like raccoons, prairie dogs, and other varmints, we've found the best 17 HMR round to be Hornady 17 HMR 17-grain V-MAX due to its high muzzle velocity, reasonable price, and the V-MAX bullet. word-break: normal; Lots of 17hmr ammo still on the shelves. Mr. Brooks, welcome and to answer your question there are a couple of 17HMR rounds that you can use. Buying bulk ammo increases the overall price but decreases the cost per round. While Ben is equally comfortable hunting almost any game species, his primary focus today is predator hunting and turkey hunting. Holding a higher velocity and energy than the .17HMR, the .223 Remington is a more powerful and capable cartridge. Two of three were one-shot kills at close range (one at 20 yards and one at 40 yards). Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Two of the most popular revolvers chambered in 17 HMR are the Ruger Single Six and the Chiappa 1873. Originally a wildcat cartridge, the .17 Hornet is one of the smallest centerfire rifle cartridges ever developed. The Bushnell Prime scope comes with several turret system options including one for the 17 HMR and a 17-grain bullet. If you're planning to go varmint hunting and most of the prairie dogs or coyotes are right around the 200yd mark, then you'll be shooting a bullet with a flat trajectory, which means better accuracy. There are no qualms about it and what we say is that only your hunting pattern can decide which is good for you. The 17gr and 20gr heavier bullets are a better option for yotes. On impact the V-MAXs tip builds up substantial energy before it connects with the bottom of the cavity, at which point the bullet explodes in a violent display of fragmentation. While the 17 HMR is limited in its hunting capabilities due to its size, you can still find top-of-the-line 17 HMR varmint hunting rounds, such as the Hornady 17 HMR 17-grain V-MAX, which is more than capable of taking out a coyote or any small game animal. Typically, I dont recommend an FMJ round for game, but the FMJ 17 bullets penetrate better than the polymer tipped rounds, in my experience. While you wont be doing any long-range sniping with your Remington 870, a 12-gauge provides plenty of knockdown power for heavy-bodied yotes inside of 40 yards. Once again, we dont advise relying on a JHPs raw power for hunting coyote with a 17 HMR. Both the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 Grendel are hard on pelts. When it comes to stats of the .17HMR vs .223, the .223 Remington dominates in all departments. Load it with a strong bullet for coyotes and bump it up to a 100-grain version for deer. Fast, violent expansion on impact. border-collapse: collapse; However, savvy hunters. However, this petite cartridge manages all that performance without destroying hides. Every major commercial ammo manufacturer offers .243 ammo in most of its major hunting lines, including varmint-specific options that are capable as well as affordable. Coyotes have an expansive range, which means hunters use very diverse tactics. Most .17 HMRs are bolt-action rifles, but you can get a single-shot, lever gun, or semi-automatic if you desire. Shoot a 20 grain jacketed hollow point round. Take the above-mentioned example, you can use.17 HMR for shooting a coyote. Even when capped with heavier 40-grain projectiles, the .204 Ruger produces muzzle velocities of 3800 fps or faster. Many hunters consider the popular .308 Winchester to be overkill for hunting coyotes. The best-suited prey is like prairie dogs, possum, and rabbits. Remington 783 Vs 700: Which One Is Better? Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn. Author with Savage turn bolt testing A-17 CCI Ammo. While a lot of people believe CCI, Federal, Hornady or Remington ammo is most accurate in their .17 HMR, all those "brands" are made by CCI, using the same powder, cases, and bullets. Direct Comparison. The word cartridge refers to an entire unit of ammunition - bullet, casing, powder, and primer. To be frank, we have always the 22 WMR to be more beneficial than the 17 HMR Rifle for chasing groundhogs. The iconic Henery Golden Boy lever action rifle is chambered in 17 HMR, so if you prefer the lever-action classic walnut stock instead of a synthetic stock on a bolt-action, this is the rifle for you. Careful with those 17's the recoil is wicked ! What do you say? I doubt that it's even 1 in 100 here. The 17 HMR first came out as a rifle cartridge, but it didn't take long for firearms manufacturers to see this round's potential as a handgun cartridge. Shot placement is critical, so make the shot count. No, the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is UNDERKILL for coyote hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement. There are also plenty of different rifles to choose from, including everything from semi-automatic MSRs like the AR-10 to more traditional walnut-stocked bolt action rifles. The.17 HMR ammo round is analogous to rimfire wildcatters' efforts to design a rimfire cartridge with an extraordinarily flat trajectory. It will expand to slightly more than 3/10ths of an inch and push to about 10 inches, leaving a wake of destruction in its path. The most notable difference between the .17 HMR and the .17 Hornet comes in looking at the base of the cartridge. The Best Self Defense Ammo Ballistic Testing. Cost. Its no wonder an AR-15 chambered in .223 Remington is the preferred weapon for a huge number of serious predator hunters.