is the really advantage that the .17 bullets have over a .22. was watching a outdoor channel, something called the sportmans channel. the bullets were quite smaller than the .22 counterparts, sort of a smaller looking deer bullet.

The main advantage of the .17 calibers over the .22 calibers is speed. Using the same parent case and filled with the same powder levels, the .17 is faster than the .22.

Main disadvantage is the .17's foul much quicker and require more cleaning to maintain the same level of accuracy. another disadvantage is the smaller bullets have less energy and impact than the faster ones.

There's also a few .20 caliber cartridges out there. The one commercial round is the .204 Hornady/Ruger. Several custom rifle makers also make various forms of .20 caliber cartridges.

Some expert shots have used the .17 Remington to take deer sized game. Not a recommended practice, as these calibers were and are meant to be used for varmit hunting. The latest addition to this caliber is the .17 HMR and the .17 Mach II, which are based on the .22 WMR and the .22 LR cases.

If your a coyote hunter and harvest the hides the 17 will usually not punch a hole all the way thru and within certian range constraints kills well.

In my part of the country (Northern Idaho) hide prices are so low that it isn't worth skinning them so .243, 55 grain noslers, 3900 fps and puff the magic coyote.