Question Gentlemen,

If you wanted one rifle that would go from fox to bobcat to coyote and still have a decent pelt when it was all said and done, what would you go for. .240 Ruger, 22 hornet, 223, 17hmr? The 17 seems to get a bad rap on the coyote end of the spectrum but it might be a possible new purchase. There's already a couple of 22-250s and .223s in the safe. The 22-250s seem to be a little hard on fur on the smaller stuff. Regards.

Migra

Migra: I have reason to base the recommendation I have for you on my experiences with my 17 MachIV and my 17 Remingtons.
I think I would go with the new offering from Remington - the 17 Remington Fireball to save the fur of Bobcat, Fox and Coyote.
I am sure that either 20 or 25 caliber bullets in the 17 Remington Fireball - maybe even loaded down a skosh would be easy on pelts yet lethal on the bearer!
Good luck with whichever you choose!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

A 20 V-max will put a fox to sleep. I shoot them out of my 17AH and my buddy shoots them from his 17MK4. 17F/b or a 17 Rem will be the best choices for what you are looking for. Just keep the ranges with in reason. A 17 Rem is not a 400 or 500 yard coyote rifle. A 25gr Berger Match will serve you well for one load does it all. I have heard the 35gr 204 Berger cut back to around 3300-3500fps will do a good job also. Keep off the big bones, shoulders, high in the back and hips. Even my 17Ah will open a hughe hole in a fox you do not watch shot placement.I will get flamed, but in the last ten years I have searched long and hard for a fur rifles that would cover a 9lb Grey Fox at 20 feet and a coyote at 200yards. 17 CENTERFIRE has proved over and over it is the best for this application. I got one to try, now #4 is coming in about a month.

I remember years ago in TVHM mag. the Holien Bros. had an article or 2 on their 17 Mach IV, and how it was such a great fox/coyote cartridge/caliber. Blaine Eddy out of UT kills an awful lot of coyotes with his 17 wildcats. Mike Johnson out of MT also kills a bunch of 'em with his 17 Rem. Pat Cameron also out of CAN does the same, and Coyotegods.com is way partial to the 17's as well-- me too for that matter.

i don't think i've ever shot a fox that the 17 made it through. they just gurgle when yo pick them up

Sounds like the .17 centerfire is the hands down winner in this poll. Typically my varmint guns have gone the other way ie: how high can I blow that PD or how many chunks of gopher will be left when I'm done. I'm with blueprinted. Fox to coyote and not destroy fur is a tall order.

Migra

quote:

Originally posted by VarmintGuy:

I am sure that either 20 or 25 caliber bullets in the 17 Remington Fireball - maybe even loaded down a skosh would be easy on pelts yet lethal on the bearer!
VarmintGuy

Yep I agree. A 20 or 25 cal in a 17 Fireball would be easy on the fur. Hard on the guy shooting it but easy on the fur!