Ok guys not new to the dog calling but new to the .17.. bought me a bolt action marlin with the bull barrel today and now im wondering how far out yall shoot or have shot yotes and foxes with them? I usually use my 243 with the 55 grain and can drop them out as far as I can see them in my scope but got tired of carrying a $1k gun in the truck so I went with the .17 my hunting partner shoots a ruger 204 and have seen him drop 250# hogs at 200 plus yards behind the ear just wondering on the .17 thanks in advance for the input...

125 yards and closer absolutely if you shoot well.

like said above, I ahvent shot much further than that other than target plinking but if a yote gave me a 200 yard shot with the 17 im not passing it up. If u hit them they will most likely die with that gun even if its back more than wanted in the gut and thats all I care about.

Congratulations! You're the 1,000,000th person to ask this question. You win nothing.


Chupa

Ic this is just about like TexasFishingForum..alot of helpful people and a few idiots that have to chime in on everything and say nothing... Thanks for the help..wind was a little crazy the last two days so I didnt even set the call out but got the gun zeroed in at about 150 yards then shot some rabbits at about 100 yards

I've shot yotes with 22mag so 17hmr should be good to go with shots less than 150 yds

Never been impressed with the knockdown power of a .17. At a 100 yards, its easy to put some lead in them.....then you get to watch them run off in the brush.
Shoot a dozen or so of them and get back to us. I'm very interested to hear the results.

I love my .17, but I would never shoot a yote with one unless it was the only thing I had. The 22 mag shoots a much heavier bullet and would be a much better choice for short range. Anything over 125 or 150 you should use a centerfire.

I don't feel the 17 would be effective at 100 or over

Its deadly accurate but. where I normally call its either a 200 yard shot or less then 70 yards so we will see I will take it out next weekend when I get in from work and will hopefully get to try it close and out there over 100 yards and will get back with yall on the outcome..the groups I was shooting today have me thinking if I get one way out there I will pop one in the head if a body shot wont kill um lol

Can't say how good the .17 hmr puts them down but everyone I've ask say they are super accurate! With that being said I might own a .17 win mag if it comes out in something a little bit better than what Savage offers now...

The only thing that this is like is it's like the last 100 times this was asked in the last week. Google will net you more than you will be willing to read on this subject and none of it will be more than a few days old.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? How about now?


Chupa

I would go with a centerfire .17 cal instead of the hummer. I have killed a few with the hmr but don't really recommend it. If you do shot placement is key and keep it within 100 yrds. The .17's are my favorite caliber and are lighting bolts in the 17 remington. I also have a 17 Hornet and it may be the perfect fox rifle.

Thanks fellas... Chupa why the hell be on a fourn then? Kinda the point of this site to ask ? Share advice and brag a little..nobody else seems to have a problem with the question and since u do why keep posting on it

Here is the problem, I am giving you advice but you dont see it.


Chupa

Yea ive googled it and I wanted the opinion of people who actually use the gun and call often

That makes no sense. The 50 other people who asked this week weren't looking for the same? Ill bet you havent read jack about it, you're looking for validation to do something you know to be marginal at best. Do what ever you want, you're a big boy now.

.17 centerfire...yes.
.17HMR...Better be a damn good shot, be prepared to pass on a lot of less than perfect shot opportunities.
And get used to tracking. The HMR was designed to take critters exactly like what you're holding in that picture. In order to be a consistent killer of coyotes with the HMR, you must consistently hit the brain, NOT THE HEAD, The BRAIN! Which is about the size of an egg. Now take that egg and make it bob and weave(coyotes don't sit still) at your supposed 200yd limit and consistently hit it. Ever heard of an egg shoot? Shooting stationary eggs at 200yds is the goal. Know why it's the goal? Because it's damn difficult is why. The question is not that the chambering is up to the task, the question is are you? Which makes me want to ask, Why? Just use a centerfire and be done with it, aim for center of mass and kill them all.


Chupa

The way I look at it is if im going to put forth the effort and time to go calling im going to take a rifle that when I shoot them they are going to go down. Not going to put much trust in a .17.

IME, the 17 will hit them but I have yet to recover one shot by a 17. Hunted a lot with a guy that used a 17 (for only one season I might add), he had great hits but we never recovered a single critter he hit with it. And that's from ranges 20 to 120yds. Very few yotes get away from a .223 v-max.

If you are looking to recover the .17 may be a little light in many situations.

Well I agree with why use something that may or may not drop him..I only bought it bc I dont like carrying my good 243 around nbetween the seat and console rattling around more of just throw out the window and shoot while at the ranch if it wont kill I will continue using the 243 when I call.. BUTTT.. I just bought the gun and had to give it a try so we made a set up and got one to come in .So I had to take the shot and as the bullet connected the dog spun two circles and hit the ground like a sack of shi!...didnt range find it but stepped it off and was right about 113 yards....

Im glad you got it done with your new rifle!! Just dont be surprised if/when you lose a few predators. Would hate for you to call up a 30 pound bobcat and have to rely on the .17 to put him down. First fox I ever shot was with a .17 and I never found it. Went back and watched the video and I hit it square in the chest and you could slow it down and see its body expand. Next stand I grabbed the .243 and didnt have another one get away. If you get into hunting tournaments you wont want to use it! Cant afford to have them run off! But if you enjoy shooting it then by all means hunt with it. I personally wouldnt!!

Right yes sir.. I agree with u I just had to try it to prove myself tht it would kill oneAs far as calling goes i will carry my 243 and .17 just for when i get them in pretty darn close lol it was a well placed shot that you dont get the time to take alot of the time. Normally they r moving so quick i just put the shoulder n the crosshairs and shoot lol he sat down out there so i stuck him right n the freaking ear

Yep shoot them in the head they aint going anywhere

My son shot 2 with his .17. Can't post pics, but he shot them in the neck and they were both recovered with ease.