[fishnfool1991]

i debating on a .22 or 17 hmr i was wondering if a 17 can kill a bobcat and foxes maybe a yotee any suggestions on which one looking at spending about 250

[thebigitch62]

i really like the .17HMR mine is a ruger mdel 77 but i think its a little lite for coyotes. until some body sells a round that doesn't explode on impact i'd stick with the .22 or step up to a .22 mag

[.22guy]

Quote:       Originally Posted by thebigitch62

i really like the .17HMR mine is a ruger mdel 77 but i think its a little lite for coyotes. until some body sells a round that doesn't explode on impact i'd stick with the .22 or step up to a .22 mag

They do sell FMJ rounds for the .17HMR, but I agree that it's still to light for coyotes.

[Savagebolter]

I bought a Savage 17HMR not too long ago and wouldn't trade it for the world. I also have a Rugar 10/22! Both are very fun to shoot and both have perks and both have their downers.

17HMR Savage 93R
Bolt action( little more accuracy) Heavy(free-floating barrel)
Can consistanly make 1/2 groupings @100yrds
(on a good day)
ballistic tip (go with Hornady 17gr 2550fps) $13.99 a box of 50

Don't be affraid to put a higher power scope on, its nice making 150+yrd shots and dropping ground hogs(I have a 4-16X50mm pwr scope) I rarely shoot higher the 8-9 power though.

This is a one shot kill gun, the volocity is extremly fast and the tip is very deadly. (I Kill Turkeys consistanly at 100+ yrds with only one shot through the shoulder.)
The damage to brutal(dont shoot too many squirrels,Very blood)

Ruger 10/22
Heavy barrel, semi-auto, great shooter, a lot of fun, and cheap to shoot!
Lotsa perks

ammo is vary cheap, readily available, easy to find.
semi-auto makes is nice to shoot with a 20+ rnd clip.
volocity is slower but heavier gr.
BUT REMEMBER SPEED KILLS!!!!

Kenetic energy= mass x volocity(squared)/2

my, opinion(not worth too much) go with the 17HMR! you wont regret it!

[BPierce]

If you don't own a .22RF, buy one and learn to shoot it. Check out the cost of ammunition and figure out which one you will shoot enough to become proficient. If you are considering a price limit of $250, (which is plenty but it indicates that money is an issue) buy a rifle that you will take to the range frequently.

You didn't say how old you are or what your experience with firearms is but it sounds as if this will be your first rifle. It takes a lot of ammunition to make a rifleman. I lived in town when I was a kid and started by shooting at a tree stump on a home made range in my basement. I used shorts and CB caps to keep the noise down. Today I am retired, live in the country and have my own 100 yard range. I own .22s, a 17HMR and a bunch of centerfire rifles but when I want to practice basic marksmanship, I go back to the 22RF.

You mentioned several of the larger predators and although any of these animals can be killed with a 22LR, a 17HMR or a 22Mag, most people who hunt these critters regularly, prefer something like a .223. However, almost without question these people learned to shoot with a .22RF. I don't have any information about you but I wonder if the 1991 in your handle is your birth year? If that's close to the truth, you have plenty of time. Buy the 22LR and spend some time learning the basics, have fun, shoot at all kinds of targets from every position and become a rifleman.

[fishnfool1991]

thanks every one and your fight mr pierce i am 16 and it will be my first rifle other than airguns and you did make a very good point about starting small thanks again
garrett

[big boomer]

Buy the 22 first you can shoot all day for little money and practice up so that when you buy the 17 you won't waste the expensive shells(22's $1.25 to $3.00 a box 17's $3.99 to 6.99 a box for mach2 other 17 more spendy.

[rckymtnboy]

Up to 100 yds., I would use the .22 Mag. Beyond the 100 yd. mark, the .17HMR will be more accurate and a have lot less drop. While it is possible to take yotes with a .22 Mag or .17HMR, you're far better off with a .22-250, .204, or .223 unless you can put a round through their ear canal every time. You want them to drop as fast as possible so you're not searching through brush for hours, or worse yet, educating another yote on what to be aware of when the next guy comes along to hunt them.