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so its still a good gun but maybe not the best for that job [more]
Might need some video proof to help with the science of one shot kills. Shot placement is as importa... [more]
Gotta agree with SCURTIS shot placement shot placement shot placement. I've killed a yote at 75... [more]

Empirical Performance


Remington's new Mighty Mouse caliber delivers the downrange goods on coyotes from Wyoming to Alberta.


By: Gordy Krahn

Online Rating: (6.5/10)

I think most varmint hunters would agree the .17 Fireball is good medicine for fox-sized critters and smaller. But I shared a common doubt whether this small pill could deliver the knockout punch to large, Northern coyotes, and was pleasantly surprised during our Alberta hunt. While certainly not conclusive, the results were encouraging. Terminal performance in all cases was, well, terminal. While I'd still have reservations shooting at coyotes beyond 200 yards, I'd have very few reservations using the Fireball if I kept my shots under that benchmark.

The following are empirical field results from our Alberta hunt and another field test conducted with the .17 Fireball in Wyoming. Again, the sample is too small to draw clear conclusions, but provides some insight to what this Mighty Mouse caliber is capable of. It will be my great pleasure to add to the database sometime soon.

Alberta/No unrecovered coyotes
• 105 yards/one shot broadside/no exit/traveled zero yards.
• 94 yards/one shot frontal/exit out the shoulder with considerable damage/traveled zero yards.
• 170 yards/running broadside/no exit/traveled zero yards.
• 171 yards/head shot/exit with minimal damage/traveled zero yards.
• 193 yards/broadside/no exit/traveled zero yards.

Wyoming/No unrecovered coyotes
• 60 yards/broadside spine, required finishing shot/one exit/traveled zero yards.
• 80 yards/broadside heart/lung/no exit/traveled zero yards.
• 120 yards/facing, neck/exit/traveled zero yards.
• 200 yards/broadside, neck/complete exit, traveled zero yards.
• 250 yards/broadside/rear lung shot/traveled 200 yards.


MEMBER COMMENTS

dark angel 13

Registered Guest

Posted:11/21/2007

Member Rating: (0/10)

so its still a good gun but maybe not the best for that job

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SCURTIS

Location: crescent city, CA
Life Member

Posted:11/22/2007

Member Rating: (6/10)

Might need some video proof to help with the science of one shot kills. Shot placement is as important as the caliber of the gun being used.

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gutpile

Location: hamburg, NY
Life Member

Posted:11/29/2007

Member Rating: (3/10)

Gotta agree with SCURTIS shot placement shot placement shot placement. I've killed a yote at 75yds with a 22LR I was squirrel hunting at the time. Put the crosshairs between eye and ear down he went. For long range I prefer 22-250 or 223 ballistic tips. Mostly I hunt heavy brush areas and I use 12ga 3" steel 4s as shots are between 10-30yds. I don't see any reason the 17 Fireball shouldn't do the job out to 200yds with good shot placement; there we go with shot placement again!

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articfreez

Location: mountain home afb, ID
Registered Guest

Posted:11/30/2007

Member Rating: (2/10)

I would rather trust my varminting with a slightly larger caliber like a 22-250 or a .223. But of all the calibers I think a .243 loaded down to a 80 grain FMJ would be the best for fur. small hole in small hole out.

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RCK2545

Location: new london, WI
Registered Guest

Posted:11/30/2007

Member Rating: (5/10)

It still comes back to knowing your gun and it's limits plan and simple RCK Life member WI

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RonnyMac

Location: nora, VA
Life Member

Posted:12/5/2007

Member Rating: (5/10)

I agree with articfreez the .243 is the best overall caliber, for distance and stopping power.

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JBENJAMIN

Location: mount orab, OH
Life Member

Posted:1/3/2008

Member Rating: (0/10)

if no recovery why wright a story of your hunt.I like too try to get them into shotgun range and make sure they are dead! And thet my fellow members is the trick or the hunt

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jsteelers47

Registered Guest

Posted:1/4/2008

Member Rating: (10/10)

270 win i go with

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jsteelers47

Registered Guest

Posted:1/4/2008

Member Rating: (10/10)

270 win i go with but for varmits

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jsteelers47

Registered Guest

Posted:1/4/2008

Member Rating: (6/10)

270 win i go with but for varmits

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GDPHILLIPS

Location: machias, ME
Life Member

Posted:1/10/2008

Member Rating: (6/10)

Where's the 22 hornet?

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gunhunt

Location: roanoke, VA
Member

Posted:1/14/2008

Member Rating: (8/10)

works for me got enough proof now just to get $400 for that new rifle

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gunhunt

Location: roanoke, VA
Member

Posted:1/14/2008

Member Rating: (8/10)

works for me got enough proof now just to get $400 for that new rifle

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btgilman

Location: high river, AB
Life Member

Posted:1/20/2008

Member Rating: (8/10)

I just purchased a 22-250. I was debating between that and the .17. After reading this article I wish I would have gone with my first choice. I shoot a 45 grain and those yotes aren't moving at all, unless of course I miss them!

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Kevin G

Location: redmond, OR
Registered Guest

Posted:7/24/2008

Member Rating: (8/10)

thats a nice coyote ive been hunting in woyoming a few times but never got a coyote

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mfoster84

Location: waterford, MI
Member

Posted:8/25/2008

Member Rating: (10/10)

I hunt with hand grenades. Ruins the pelts, but kills on contact.

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mfoster84

Location: waterford, MI
Member

Posted:8/25/2008

Member Rating: (10/10)

I agree with the other guy, .243 win is far and away best for varmint.

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BANTHONY

Location: hyannis, NE
Life Member

Posted:10/25/2008

Member Rating: (9/10)

Smaller caliber gun,smaller hole to sew up. any of the .204, 223, 22-250, 243 calibers will work.On the heavy side, the .243 loaded with the nosler 55 grain bullet is an excellent varmint load with little pelt damage.Also as one person said, shot placement is always the key to success on all animals.

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