Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Southeast varmint rifle info

I don't intend to hijack this thread so this will be my last comment.
I was just being a smartass.If I offended you or anyone else I sincerely apologize.
I have a 22 Hornet and being on a fixed income I use what I have.

Neil

The wonders of electronic communication.... sarcasm doesn't come through well at all.

Can understand the use of what is at hand. Load VERY good bullets (the 45 gr. Hornet XLCs would get a serious look, if it were me), and pick the shot carefully.

Fear not the hijack... it happens.

Sounds like you need a 17Fireball. A 20gr at 4000fps is pretty awesome. It will make a fox go to sleep and will flat dump a coyote out to 200yards. A 25 grain would be my preference for big song dogs. I load for both. If we get a yote on the hook, rounds get swapped. Inside 200yards with decent shoot placement a 17 is hard to beat if you are keeping the hides. Greys and coons are supposed to be really up this year. A little effort and you might be able to pay for most of that rifle this year.

Over the years I have tried about everything from 22mag to 22-250. They are pretty harsh on hides, or do not kill effectivly. The 17AH, 17Mach4 and a 17 Wildcat I have that pushes 25 at 4200fps have really proven themselves in the last 3 seasons.

The only problem with 17s, they are addicting. Do not buy into the bad press that the 17Rem got years ago. The new barrels, bullets and cleaning gear have taken all the bad stuff away.
If coyotes were the only thing on the menu with the occasional cat I would agree with the 223, 204 Ruger, 222 guys. Foxes and coyotes change the game. They are both on the xtreme ends of the scale.

Do me a favor and try the 25gr Berger's. They are just about the ideal 17 bullet - not hard on fox/bobcat, easy on coyote out to way past calling distance.

Nobody's bashing you on a 22 Hornet. I don't use one so I really can't say anything. If I did use one most likely it would have a 10-12" barrel and not much would be applicable to you.

I totally agree with Grimel. 25 Berger or Hornady's for yotes. We have pushed a 20 to almost 200yards with good effects on smallish coyotes. I carry both for my Mach4 and 20s and 30s in my 17-222AI. 30 for when we are looking for coyotes 20 for foxes. I load for room for one more in the mag. Coyotes comes in, if time and set allows round gets ejected two shoved in the mag and bolt goes closed. A little practice this can be done real easy and dead silent. POI is the same to 200yards.