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The .17HMR reportedly does a decent job to about 100 yards/meters, but only with the 20gr. HP.
.17Rem. is good to about 350yards or so with 25gr. HP's. The 20gr. and 25gr. Vmaxes tend to splash on the surface if there is a bone underneath, like on a shoulder.
.17 Hornets in the same boat.
.22-250's and .220 Swift much better, as-are .243's & ETC, however the bullet and bullet placement is much more critical to prevent pelt damage, if that is a consideration.
I loaded .22-250's for a friend and coyote killer. I used 50gr.Sierra Blitz and instructed him to shoot between the ribs(lol) or frontal chest shots. The reason for the high blowup bullet, was for small entry hole and ZERO exits. This worked perfectly for front-on shots on called coyotes & rib shots, too. The odd time he had a bit of sewing to so, but not often.
The "modern" .22 Hornet in CZ, Ruger, Anschutz or TC rifles loaded with 45gr. Hornady SP's at 3,100fps is a really good coyote round to an easy 200yards. Small, almost invisible entrance, with no exit and DRT (dead right there) coyote.
Of course, the .222 or .223 give a bit more range than the "modern" Hornet, but not as much as the larger .224's or .243's.
The problem with .243's is pelt damage with just about any bullet, especially if used on a fox.
Long time ago, I worked up a load for a fellow with a .243 "International" Ruger M77(full stock). I re-bed the forend to touch only at the muzzle end and the rest floated to 1" in front of the action, that area bedded in glass as well. This was written up somewhere as the way to properly bed a full stocked rifle. I did not charge him for anything as he was a friend, I thought.
I used 75gr. Hornady HP's loaded to about 3,450fps in the short barrel. Didn't matter where he hit the coyote, but of stitching and done. Then, he foolishly shot a fox, almost cut it in 1/2 - "& IT WAS MY BLOODY FAULT" - imagine that. Last time I helped anyone of his ilk.

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