You can get unfinished stock sets from Bullberry in any grade of wood you want, from utility to exhibition, and made to your specs/dolled up anyway you want. Even his utility grades are usually heads above select grades from others, so they are a very cheap option in unfinished for a custom set. It takes is time with this shop though, how much depending on how many sets are ahead of you as he usually only has one stock maker on his crew.
The "hot rod" 17's would be great for your uses, and since you are willing to do the wildcats there are lots of choices for 17 tack drivers. You just have to pick the ones best suited to your game and ranges. IOW, some that would be dynamite for crows at 300 yards wouldn't be for coyotes that far. But lots of them would be good choices for both to 300.
My personal list of 17’s that are safely doable on the Contender Platform has well over 50 entries. But for both crow and coyotes at 300 in one barrel I'd probably pick one of those based on the 221 Fireball, 222 Rem, 222 Rem Mag, 223 Rem or 30-30 parent cases I think. Most are real easy wildcats, some do require more effort, but all can be very effective at that range. A 20" is usually a great length for Contender carbines/rifles. They balance well, have good harmonics for most cartridges and help a little with the slow lock time. I live in the windy west's wide open spaces, and contrary to popular belief the 17's cut the wind pretty well. So the 20's don't really have anything on them IMO.
Have a fairly long list of other sub calibers for the Contenders as well in 12, 14, 19 and 20 calibers, but I prefer the 17's myself (even for the coyotes).
Whatever you go for you will be opening a door that most likely will take you on to other wildcats as well, and even more custom barrels. Most of them are lots of fun, but some can be a real PITA to make brass for, especially when you do them in the numbers I used to. I learned the hard way NOT to take on too many new ones in short periods of time. Takes all the fun out of it and makes it a chore.
FWIW
L.
