Need Help Deciding On Rimfire Rifle

[01Foreman400]

In Georgia you are not allowed to take Foxes or Bobcats with centerfire rifles. You also aren't allowd to hunt on Government land for coyotes with centerfire rifles. I'm looking at getting a nem rimfire rifle in either a 17 hrm or a 22 mag. I know they will have to be close well placed shots. I want to know which will be the best caliber and the best rifle for the money. I'd like to get a semi auto if possible. Please lets not get heated on this I'd use a centerfire before a rimfire if I could.

Thanks,
Darrell

[Bennie]

IMHO the 22 mag is a better all around, I shoot a 22 mag quite a bit, and am partial to it, so partial that I just bought another. But then again the 17 HMR fan club will not agree and they have their reasons also. I wouldn't use it on a yote, but then again I'm not in the situation that you have by the limits impose by the state. Do they allow the use of shotguns in these areas, that may be a viable alternative for close range work.

[BozoWise]

Ruger 10/22 Magnum no question ;D

[okcoyote]

hey 01F.400...

i bought a rem. 597 .22lr a month or so ago....the thing really shoots good. one ragged hole at 35yds. (and this is with cheap rem.cyclone ammo) i believe my next rimfire will a 597 .22 mag. the barrels are free floated.. i like ruger 10/22's also but the rem. is more accurate than most of the 10/22's....now i aint talkin' 'bout tricked out guns...just factory. i aint jumped on the 17hmr yet....the 22 mag is gonna hit harder...there just aint no way a little 17 grain pill is gonna be superior to a 33vmax or 40gr. h.p. but this is just one fools opinion.....

[shiner]

I'm a huge fan of my .17HMR (Marlin 17VS), it is simply deadly accurate out to about 200. Have taken a couple of So. TX yotes with it at fairly close range (50-75yds), but have passed up several opportunities over 100yds because I simply did'nt think it could do the job to my "ethical" satisfaction. Stick with the .22 Mag and its heavier slower bullets.

PS. Would'nt shoot a pig with the .17HMR at any range.

[SLYDOG]

I know that I'm going to start a S$%$ storm with this post but I can't resist. ;D

first of all, the 17HMR is deadly on coyotes under 80 yards w/ well placed shots. I wouldn't push that 80 yard mark, the bullet is loosing to much steam after that to be effective on coyotes.
However, it will work on fox very well out to 125 yards and there will be no exits like you get with the 22 mag.

I don't reccomend shooting badger with them unless you like to dig. I've killed 38 coyotes in the two last years and 28 fox. I haven't lost one yet.

I have 2 Marlins,, 1 17v and 1 17vss. Didn't like the factory triggers,so I added the "rifle basix" drop in triggers and they both shoot like a house afire now. I also have a Savage 503 striker 17HMR and it too has killed a coyote

It's realy up to the individual shooter, You know your abilitys and I've told you the Gods truth on effictive range for the 17HMR. To be quite honest I have never been a fan of the 22 mag.

The best thing about the 17HMR is that I never have bullets flying off that I don't know where there goin..

just my 2 cent

sly