17 vs 20cal coyotes - 250 yards and under

[Leveraction35]

I want a “cool” gun for coyotes….A huge majority of my shots are 50-125 yards, and never being over 250. I sell furs, so a bullet that doesn’t exit would be awesome.

i plan to Handload whatever I end up with, but, I don’t want a bunch of extra steps. No fireforming etc. I want to buy components and push the bullets together, although resizing in the example of 17-223 for example is no big deal though

17rem
17mach iv
17 Fireball
17-223/17-556
20Prac (20-223)
20VarTarg

As you can see, I’m overwhelmed with options.

When you tell me your suggestion. Please tell me your bullet selection, velocity, twist rate and your fur damage report

 

[spencerhenry]

I do turn the necks on my 17-223. For Kitties, I would definitely stay with a 17, perhaps even downloaded. I did shoot one gray fox with 17-223. That hide was garbage, front on shot with a slight quartering angle, blew out the whole opposite side of the body. Same thing with a 22-250 on a bobcat.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

17 hornet is perfect for close shots and saving fur.

 

[B23]

For ease and versatility I think the clear winner is a 20 Practical aka 20-223

 

[Woollybugger]

For ease and versatility I think the clear winner is a 20 Practical aka 20-223

I agree on the easy button, I have one. Finding a bullet that is fur friendly in 20 cal is still tricky. I’m all ears on what has worked fur others.

 

[Sniper338]

Honestly... just my opinon.. speed dont matter much...

For those 50 yard, 100 yards, 150 yards... I wouldnt be after anything with speed. You dont need velocity. More velocity is gonna do more damage.

Your really barking in the 17 HMR rim fire arena to me. They work..

 

[L.Sherm]

If I was wanting a fur friendly 20 cal I'd be shooting the 35 Berger from what I've heard.
The more you twist a bullet the more explosive its gonna be.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

35 Berger is a great pelt bullet out of a 20 caliber !

This is a great Coyote bullet out of 20 Practical or 20 TAC

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Shoot bobcats and Fox 100 or 150 yards out and even with some of the other 20 caliber bullets the 20 Practical want tear them up as bad as say a 30-50 yard shot

Chest on shot for them cats works well with no pelt damage.

 

[xswanted]

I can’t say for bobcats but the 35 grain .204 Berger is a great fur bullet for coyotes. Fox might get rough.

For all three animals I’d be looking hard at the 17 REM and a 25 grain pill running about 3600

17 Fireball as well.

If you want to go just a tick bigger capacity (can always slow down) and have a really great calling rifle for coyotes the 17-204 would be might choice.


I hunted with a number of 20 caliber rifles as calling guns and always wanted to try the 17-204

For coyotes and calling I ran the 50 Grain Berger or Unmussig at 3600 from a 20-250 and a 20 BR. Best setup for fur friendliness and bang flop dead I’ve ever had.

The 17-204 would be even better I believe but bullets might be harder to find these days.

 

[Sniper338]

The chest on a bobcat is only a good 5 or 6 inches wide. There's no fat. I just find it hard to keep minimal damage, and overkill can happen real real quick.

It doesnt take much with a well placed shot.

And there again, unless you got some wide open country which is far in few between in many areas... most shots are 100 yards or less calling...

 

[Leveraction35]

Focus on coyotes

 

[Matt_3479]

20 prac, 20’tac with 35gr bergers

 

[White Eagle]

I want a “cool” gun for coyotes….A huge majority of my shots are 50-125 yards, and never being over 250. I sell furs, so a bullet that doesn’t exit would be awesome.

i plan to Handload whatever I end up with, but, I don’t want a bunch of extra steps. No fireforming etc. I want to buy components and push the bullets together, although resizing in the example of 17-223 for example is no big deal though

17rem
17mach iv
17 Fireball
17-223/17-556
20Prac (20-223)
20VarTarg

As you can see, I’m overwhelmed with options.

When you tell me your suggestion. Please tell me your bullet selection, velocity, twist rate and your fur damage report

Have you thought about the 19-223
how many people you know with a 19 cal rifle?
they are awesome I had one and no recoil and smokin fast lays them coyote down

 

[Leveraction35]

Have you thought about the 19-223
how many people you know with a 19 cal rifle?
they are awesome I had one and no recoil and smokin fast lays them coyote down

I’m only seeing Calhoon as a .19 manufacturer, is that right

 

[B23]

If I was wanting a fur friendly 20 cal I'd be shooting the 35 Berger

Either the 35 or 40 Berger is exactly what I'd be using.

What has been everyone's experience with Nosler's lead free 20 cal bullets maybe those could/would be a good choice as well. About the only LF bullet I've shot much of is the 15.5 in 17 HH and 15 in my 17 WSM. All I've shot with those is sage rats and pretty much everything blows them up so not really very relatable.

 

[White Eagle]

I’m only seeing Calhoon as a .19 manufacturer, is that right

yes sir that is it as far as I know

 

[STOMP442]

Buddy and I went calling yesterday and called in a double. He was using his 300 blackout and I took my 17 Rem. He nearly decapitated his dog and mine you couldn't even tell where I hit it. Both died on the spot about a foot apart and didn't twitch. The 17 has yet to disappoint since I switched to the 25gr Berger. Just wish I could get more dogs to come to the call this year.

 

[Jrjones]

I shot a bobcat in the eyeball at 150yrds once, 204 w 34gr dogtown cheap bullet. Skinned the cat and you cld have called it a clean roadkill. Never came out. I’ve shot coyotes w em also, and Speer tnt. Can’t find the hole, just a blood spot. The hp’s are good on dogs. Fox close range- 17 rimfire or 22 mag. Cats are really tender. 17 rem and 25hp. I wldnt worry about speed. Worry more about your shot placement. It matters where you hit em big time.

 

[Leveraction35]

Never came out. I’ve shot coyotes w em also, and Speer tnt.

I’ve heard great things about the TNTs