.17rem and coyotes

model 70 · #1 01-27-2006, 08:47 PM

i have a sako in .17rem topped with a leuopold vari-xII 3x9 compact and was wondering how well this should work as a carry type rifle for coyotes?

has anyone had much experience with the .17 rem and remington 25gr. hp factory loads on coyotes? what was the performance like as far as killing power?

also, can anyone suggest a better mid-range rifle for dispatching 'yotes as far as varmint control when you don't want MUCH noise and when calling?

thanks.

Catfish · #2 01-28-2006, 04:05 PM

With a well placed shot the .17 Rem. does a great job. I put down a dog that weighted over 100 lbs. with Rem. factory ammo at abt. 150 yrds. When hit he dropped like a wet rag.

L. Cooper · #3 01-28-2006, 04:09 PM

I think coyotes are, pound for pound, one of the toughest animals I hunt. I can tell some stories about not quite perfect shots, or just plain determined coyotes that resulted in long tracking jobs to finish off animals. I hate those times. For that reason I think the .22 centerfires are the smallest rounds I will deliberately use or recommend for coyotes, especially if the ranges get long, and they always seem to.

The 17's will work at shorter ranges. No doubt. But I am forever seeing coyotes at longer ranges and I have a hard time passing up those chances. So I don't use or advise the use of small calibers and light bullets for coyotes.

I shoot a 22-250 with 50 or 55 grain bullets when I know I'm going to be after Wiley (or something even bigger of course). I think that level of performance is my minimum on these animals.

As for noise when calling, ignore it. The noise of a .17, although less than a .22-250 will still be heard by every coyote within a mile of your shot anyway. It is my experience that the noise of a rifle shot does not really disturb them all that much. We have often called another after shooting one in one spot. They hear lots of weird human noises in most places now days. A single distant "bang" doesn't upset them much at all.

So use a level of power that will ensure humane kills, and worry more about proper set up than the noise of your shot.

Catfish · #4 01-29-2006, 08:47 PM

Cooper,
There is alot of truth in what you say. I have had to put a second shot into a coyote that I had downed with an 87 gn. .257 bullet at 3,500 fps. She wasn`t going any where, but she wasn`t dead eather. When shooting at them running away you don`t have the best angle so you have to drive the bullet in along way to get to the vitles. I know the 32 gn. Serrias in .204 won`t do it, I`m hopeing the Hornadys will. Serria jackets are .009 and Hornady`s are .014. For right now I`m carring a CZ 527 in .204 for a walk around gun and will use a .257 AI. with 87 gn. bullets for long range sniping. In the very near future I will build eather a .22-284 set up for 80 gn. bullets or a 6mm on a large case set up for 117 gn. bullet for long range coyte snipeing. The hides here in Oh. aren`t worth enough to pay for the gas to take them to a fur buyer, so I really don`t care if I blow big holes in them.

jmarriott · #5 01-30-2006, 05:57 PM

I had a rem 700 in 17 rem. I got it used and loved the first five or six shots out of it and then it went from .5 moa to 2.5 moa and keep shooting like that untill i cleaned the crap out of it.

I think the round is fine for Indiana Coyotes as you will get no exit hole and don't have to worry about it bounching of rocks in the field. Most of my shots are under 222 yards and i don't see the need to use a 22-250 if i am not shooting from the truck (ILLEGAL IN INDIANA). if a Fox comes along you might get a big hole in the exit side if under 50 yards. The wind can whip the little pills about quite a bit also.

I would still have mine if I could have gotten more than five shots without a major barrel cleaning. Traded it for a 700 in rem 222 and use it still. I could (I would not) not clean that barrel for 4 years and it would still group sub moa.

Cobra · #6 03-02-2006, 07:30 PM

Have a Rem 700 Classic in 17 Rem. Never had any trouble with powder fouling. Just wondering what powder you were using. Don't use it anymore for 'yotes. Not that it's not capable of downing them with one shot. Main problem has become the numbers of new people trying the sport, they're a lot more cautious now that they've been educate. 5 years ago the average shot was no more than 75yds and more like 50yds. Now I'm lucky to get them inside 150 and over 200yds isn't that uncommon. On a calm day I've taken them easily @ 150yds with a 17 Rem. Now I only carry a Swift on them and use the 17, at times, for 'chucks.

bru · #7 03-16-2006, 12:53 AM

After you've taken your yotes what do you do with them? nieve question i know. I'm starting to regain interest in leather crafts and the like. Wondering what sort of disposal is kosher or if the hides are decent enough to work with?
THNX

redjonson · #8 04-05-2006, 10:25 PM

I have an early production 700 BDL in .17 Rem That is a great shooter...@225 yards but no more... I use it on chucks, p dogs crows and coyotes and it performs !!! 225 yds is my limit except on that perfect calm situation that occaisionaly occurs when I can stretch out to 275 yds+..My rifle has been recalled by Remington but it is such a great shooter and has no fouling problems...(I clean it when I have about 40-50 rds thru it) So I will never send it in...I shoot 30 gr bergers @ 3750 FPS ...Red

Cobra · #9 04-06-2006, 10:41 PM

Dropped a 'yote over the weekend with the 17 @ 175yds and a 25+mph crosswind with 20gr V-Maxs. Aimed 6" upwind of it's nose and it hit mid torso, it's down but not what I had intended. Had actually run out of Swift loads (don't ask) and don't consider the 17 the right gun for those circumstances. Was out mid-afternoon just looking for 'chuck sign when the 'yote appeared. Intend on working up some 30gr loads with Nagel/Starke bullets, they look good, think my light weight bullet days in all the varmint rifles are over.

Cal Sibley · #10 05-09-2006, 06:40 PM

I use my .17Rem. on woodchuck. It's a good killer. However, I prefer a little more heft for coyote. 25gr. is not much bullet for a large coyote. I prefer .243Win. but think my .22-250 will do the job very well with the 50gr. bullet. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Andy L · #11 05-11-2006, 08:02 AM

I swore I would never get in another argument about this again....

17 Rem is not only capable, but one of the best there is for coyotes, especially if you want the fur. It is a shot placement round though. Shoulder and hip shots are not going to cut it. So, if you take risky shots or cant shoot to begin with, its not for you. If you can place one in the bread basket, the 25gr Berger or VMax, travelling at over 4000fps kills like a bolt of lightning.

I have personally killed coyotes in their tracks from 6' to 289 yards, without exits. I know of a fella that has killed several over 400 yards.

Shot placement. If you cant do it, the 17s not for you.

Andy

beauman · #12 02-27-2007, 07:59 PM

My hunting partner and I both shoot 700 classic, 17 rem. He killed one in SD at 350 yds (checked with leica rangefinder). Last trip to Kansas, we killed three coyotes, all three were hit right in the ribs, and passed through. One dropped, two went 20 yards. Never have had a problem with fouling. I reach past the 223,the 22-250, and the swift! It's my goto gun!

michaeljcanoe · #13 04-23-2007, 02:56 PM

Taken somewhere around 800 coyotes with the .17....most with 25 grains of Varget (temperature insensitive powder) and 30 grain Berger bullets at 4010 MV. Have impressed the gov't hunter/trapper who shoots larger calibers. The first kill we had together...he missed a quick shot at around 120 yards and when it stopped again at 320, Killer (the name given my .17) did its dirty work. It comes down to placement, placement, placement! Within the next year I may (while working with him as a volunteer) have an opportunity to take out a wolf or two. If my 20/250 or 22 Middlested is at home, I won't hesitate to use
Killer on the big dog. Longest kill with Killer.....463 yards...a female in the shoulder. She just sat down and fell over dead. Again placement! Killer takes a few each season in the 300-400 range...most at 225 to 300 yards. My suggestion? Give the 30 grainers a try and don't hesitate to stretch the distance a little ways past 300. Mike Ps. Did shoot the 29 LD Gencos last season and were very pleased with them as well.

gorilla10 · #14 09-28-2007, 08:23 PM

I haven't seen anything that I would concider arguing. That 17 always had me wondering, still considering one for the gun cabinet. I think it would fit in great when calling which I do a lot of. I use a rem 22-250, not one complaint! But I started hunting with dogs and found off the road my 6mm rem auto is nice, I missed several when moving on the first shot, but more times than none they'd run 75yds, stop still in range, end of story. I didn't have the same luck with the 22-250 only because that bolt action I'd lose him just long enough not to be able to get that second shot off! But when in the woods where evreything happens quick, my rem 870 3 1/2" pump 00 buck does a real nice job! But I am contemplating that 17? Learned a lot, cuz I had my doubts?

Minihuntur · #15 12-09-2007, 07:25 PM

Use a .243 Win with 55gr. BST bullets. Its just as fast as the .17 Rem but it hits way harder. I put a 4in. thick phone book in my garden shot it with those bullets. The exit hole was 20X larger than the entry hole. Any part that was touched was turned into power and shot 10 feet out the back. Range is better too. Use a .243 if you dont mind the recoil and blast (compared to the .17). Hoping too hunt coyotes with my .243 any day now.
Minihuntur