What's your opinion on a .17 HMR for hunting bobcats and maybe a few coyotes? I have a .243 but i want something that doesn't tear bobcats up so bad.

Ive shot at yotes with a 17 hmr and it doesnt bring em down. i guess if u hit them in the sweet spot it probably will but for me a 17 hmr is to small. but a .17 is perfect.

get them within 150 and you'll be fine, i have taken both bobcats and yotes with the .17 and it takes them cleanly if you place that 17 grain bullet in the right spot.

With a .17 HMR or a .17 caliber?

Aren't the .17 HMR and .17 caliber the same thing? There both .17 calibers

IMO use a 22-250!Very little recoil and they are very accurate!I have a model 788 Remington with a bullbarrel and a 16X redfield scope,and believe me I have dropped alot of different size game with that rifle and the damage it does isn't that bad!I believe it is only a 55gr bullet!I don't know how hard it is to get ammo for it I still have a box of shells from 89!Tells you I don't use the rifle much but it is one of those things you keep for ever!

they are both 17 calibers. the 17 hmr is much smaller then the .17. just my opinion I think the .17 is the best gun to shoot varmits with. only bummer thing is that you got to clean it every 20-25 rounds that you shoot. but think of it this way, your gun stays CLEAN and BEAUTIFUL!

the 17 HMR is a 22 magnum rimfire necked to a 17 caliber and the "17" they are talking about is most likely a .17 Remington which is a 223 Rem necked to a 17. and i have taken bobcats and yotes with the 17 HMR

There are basically 4 .17 calibres in production at present .17 mach II (.22 long rifle necked down to .17) .17 HMR (.22 mag necked down) .17 Fireball (.221 fireball necked down to .17) and the .17 Remington (.223 necked down to .17) The last two are reloadable the first two are rimfires. I would hesitate to use a mach II on the song dogs but not the others. If you can shoot and the rifle can shoot they will do the job.

For shots less than a 100 yards the 17hmr will take coyotes and bobcats clean. I use it when hunting areas likely to hold bobcat or fox. 223 is great but I get to much damage on smaller animals.

Dead Dog,

From my viewpoint the 17 HMR is a little light for knock down kills on either of the two. Unless head shots only. I am not saying it will not kill them since I have a Marlin Heavy Barrel 17HMR with a Rifle Basics Trigger in it that is a tack driver. 1/2 MOA at 100 yards. However 243 is a fine caliber for both animals. The selection of the actual bullet used is the key. You might want to get you a copy of the CD "Calling Coyotes Like The Pros" they discuss the 223-243 and saving the pelts.

Great Hunting!

I host an Oklahoma tv show On the Water & In the Woods. I put a link to it below.
In my experience the .17 HMR is just fine for yotes. I have never had one run more than 40 yards. Of course you have to make a good shot, I love using it. If you have time take a look at the link below. I drop a yote with my .17 HMR. Hope it you enjoy it.


Oklahoma Predator Hunt:
http://www.myoutdoortv.com/pdk/web/single_...A0c4rRyjPIe39S8