OT - 22 Magnum for coyote?

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:20 am

Does anyone out there have coyote hunting experience?

Three of us are going out in January at night to hunt the
cagey pests. We'll be in a blind, using roadkill as bait.
(One neighbor is a State cop and can get all of the
carcasses we need!) Ranges will be on the order of
100 yards or thereabouts. The neighbors' scoped rifles
will be a Marlin 336 in 30-30, and a Ruger carbine in
44Mag. I'm considering using a Marlin in 22 Mag, because
I'm very comfortable with the gun and I've had dime-sized
groups out of it at 50 yards. The other option is a 243
Handi-Rifle that I am not so familiar with.

Is the 22 Mag enough for coyotes at 100 yards? Obviously,
all of the other calibers are more than enough!

How say you all?

-Stretch

john4me05 · Post by **john4me05** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:24 am

Provided you make and take only headshots it is lethal... My personal choice is a .223 Handi rifle... Little more oomph and a little better trajectory... If it were me and being as it is night i think i would opt for the .243 or see if i can borrow a 22 Hornet/.223 from someone...

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:38 am

I have shot and killed coyotes with 22 magnum out of a rifle with no problems. One shot was centered head-on in the chest, the bullet made it lengthwise through and ended up under the skin on its left thigh; that shot was 125 yards. Most were head and neck shots, a couple were through the lungs, all died within 50-60 yards from where they were shot.

If you are very comfortable with your 22 magnum, not just from the bench, by all means use it.
If you are as comfortable with the 243 it is probably a better choice.

I have never hunted coyotes over bait, I wish you luck.

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:48 am

dr walker, do you happen to remember the bullet weight on that
125 yard shot?

Yes, the dime-sized group was from the bench, but I can hold 1 -1.5 '
groups sitting at that range. This particular rifle is THAT good!

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:26 am

My 22mag is my coyote gun. I use 40grn loads for the extra punch at longer range. I you keep your shots to 100 yard or less you are good with boiler room shots. I would have no problem using a head shot out to 150 if every thing was in my favor.

I cant use bait here in CA but if you have a good set of calls and practice who needs bait.

cutter · Post by **cutter** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:35 am

My 22mag is my coyote gun. I use 40grn loads for the extra punch at longer range. I you keep your shots to 100 yard or less you are good with boiler room shots. I would have no problem using a head shot out to 150 if every thing was in my favor.

Me too. I used a .22 for a long time before I 'graduated' to the magnum. I plan to use my .223, but need to find a five or ten round magazine first.

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:14 am

This is exactly the sort of real world information I was looking for.
Thanks a million, gents. What a terrific forum, and what great
people.

-Stretch

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:04 pm

Heck, a lot of guys use .22LR with Stingers or the new Velociter, so I dont know why a 22mag wouldn't work within 100 yrds. If you can shoot it that good I would take you along.

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:11 pm

I killed one with a 17 HMR, neck shot at 15yds, haven't had the chance with the WMR, yet. But a 100yd head shot is a LONG shot. THier head can move a lot while feeding.

Aim between the eys and ears about the eye level or just slightly lower. My WMR groups about 1" at 100 with CCI 40gr HP loads and it's dead on at 50 and 100yds. Odd but I cannot complain.

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:14 pm

Not sure what the terrain is going to be like. The .22 mag would be a good choice at closer ranges as well as a 12 ga with 000 or 0000. However, if longer ranges are possible I would opt for the .243.

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:32 pm

Stretch - the lengthwise shot on coyote was with Winchester 40 gr hollow point.

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:35 pm

Thanks, dr walker.

We have several locations for blinds, and all of the shots will be
straight and level. Head shots every time at 100 - 125 yards
is probably asking a bit much, but through the boiler room should
be no problem.

I'll try to get the 243 out to the range. If I can't shoot that one
3" or better at 100 yards, I'll take the 22 Mag.

You folks are all a big help.

How would I have gotten all of this info in such a short time
before the internet?!

cubrock · Post by **cubrock** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:37 pm

A .22 Mag hollowpoint is pretty destructive, even at 100 yards. While you might not drop a yote with a chest shot, you will no doubt kill one. I use Winchester 34 grain Supremes out of my 9422 Mag and that bullet is dynamite.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:57 pm

If you have time, get a "Fawn Bleat" call or any other small critter in distress call.

Helps bunches.

If you use a Fawn Bleat/distress call, you may also want to use "Deer Dander" cover scent too.

Scream like a deer, smell like a deer, shoot like a man.

Savage99 · Post by **Savage99** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:49 pm

I shoot coyotes with my .22lr using stingers...they haven't complained yet.
I'm looking at a remington model 5 in .22 mag just for coyotes and such..A friend of mine uses a cz 452 in .22 mag for hogs

he's a head shot kinda guy and kills them out to 100 yds all day long....plus the low report of a .22 mag doesn't spook as many critters as a centerfire does....I'd say take the .22 mag and have lots of fun

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:13 pm

Savage99, THAT'S a helpful answer...........

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:21 pm

I use a 22 Mag with Winchester Super X 40gr. hollow points, and they do perfect.

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:01 pm

stretch wrote:Thanks, dr walker.

We have several locations for blinds, and all of the shots will be
straight and level. Head shots every time at 100 - 125 yards
is probably asking a bit much, but through the boiler room should
be no problem.

I'll try to get the 243 out to the range. If I can't shoot that one
3" or better at 100 yards, I'll take the 22 Mag.

You folks are all a big help.

How would I have gotten all of this info in such a short time
before the internet?!

stretch
Over at the H&R forum we've discovered the Sierra Game King 85gr HP seems to be one of it's favorite bullets. Don't try to seat to the lands, unless yours is different, cause you won't reach them.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:42 pm

I'd like to use my M4gery on 'yotes, but haven't found the right farmer yet...

I'd really like to try Barnes' "Varmint Grenade" bullet...

Dakota Mike · Post by **Dakota Mike** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:19 pm

I cringe every time I hear about headshots it always makes me wonder how many were wounded, jaw broke ect. and ran off to die a less than what huners would call a humane death. I have found deer and other animals that have passed on in this manner. And yes I hunt and probably longer than some on this forum are old. There is nothing worse than to wound an animal, I have had bad shots myself and have spent time chasing over hecks half acre after them. To the best of my knowledge I have not lost one. I do try to pick my shots.

Scott Young · Post by **Scott Young** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:48 am

my favorite shot on a coyote is the front of the shoulder. here are some pics that show the heart and skeleton.

as you can see the heart is further forward than most imagine. also the lung capacity is extraordinarily large. this is why many folks that shoot just chest shots loose coyotes. as for head shots. if you can shoot squirrels with .22s then the cranium of a coyote isn't that hard to hit. grant it when hunting with a .22 magnum always be ready for a follow up shot.

my preference with the .22 magnum is the 40 solid. it has penetration and penetration. i have used the faster hollow points, but for some reason i keep gravitating back to the standard 40 grain pill.

BigSky56 · Post by **BigSky56** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:26 am

Stretch, Ive done alot of ADC on yotes, fox and cats you wont be hurt by using a 22 mag use 40 gr solids as they dont blow up also less pelt damage which can mean $, fact is for years I used a 22 WRF and it worked fine. Good hunting and Merry Christmas. danny

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:07 am

Yet more really useful information!

Thanks again.........

cubrock · Post by **cubrock** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:29 am

Scott Young wrote:my favorite shot on a coyote is the front of the shoulder. here are some pics that show the heart and skeleton.

as you can see the heart is further forward than most imagine. also the lung capacity is extraordinarily large. this is why many folks that shoot just chest shots loose coyotes. as for head shots. if you can shoot squirrels with .22s then the cranium of a coyote isn't that hard to hit. grant it when hunting with a .22 magnum always be ready for a follow up shot.

my preference with the .22 magnum is the 40 solid. it has penetration and penetration. i have used the faster hollow points, but for some reason i keep gravitating back to the standard 40 grain pill.

Scott - excellent info! I've saved those pics. Thanks!

BAGTIC · Post by **BAGTIC** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:20 am

Isn't it strange that prior to the 1950's when the 'Gun/cartridge of the month craze began few would have asked such a queation. It was assumed that the .22 LR sufficed for everything up to and including small deer. A .30-30/.32 Special for deer and black bear. a .30-06 or .45-70 for everything bigger.

Where did all this nonsense start, a different gun and cartridge for every target? People then had plenty of common sense just not much cash cents so they made do. They knew that it was not the gun that mattered. It was the man holding the gun.

Today the gun community has become as fashion driven as ladies apparel.

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:26 pm

That's why the question, bagtic.

We've got a scoped 22 mag and a
scoped 243 in the house - which is
the better choice given the facts as
outlined above?

I agree with ya - we don't need a different
caliber for every target. And your choice of
calibers is about right. You only forgot the
scattergun.

And of course, the 35
Rem instead of the 30/30.......

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:43 pm

As I and others have stated a .22mag+ a good shooter behind it = Dead Dogs. The only thing that restricts this statement is the nut behind the but. Every dog that I have shot with my .22mag has departed this world in a hurry.

Use the heavier 40grn loads. For me my gun shoots the CCI 40grn JHP Maxi-Mags the best but I have been meaning to try the Win 45grn Dyna Points.

Ravenman · Post by **Ravenman** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:42 am

We have no coyotes in Switzerland but many red foxes. If we keep the shooting inside 100 meters we have no problems at all. My Winchester 9422M is a great little rifle and groups nearly anything to the same POI.

Love this little gun!

cubrock · Post by **cubrock** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:24 am

Ravenman,

My 9422 is from the 70s and it shoots the Winchester Supreme like yours does. I have less success with other flavors of 22 Mag ammo, but I just stocked up on Supreme for it.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:44 am

From age 5 or 6 to maybe 16, I was 'predator control' for our small farm, and my only two tools were a .22 LR and a 12 gauge. I didn't even shoot the 12 gauge until I was probably 14 or 15, so the .22 LR was IT.

Never shot a feral dog or cat or coyote with it (usually 50-75 yards, sometimes 100) that go unconscious within 30 seconds or less. If it was a canine, I sometimes sent a head shot once the critter was down, just to be humane, but not sure if it was ever really needed.

eric65 · Post by **eric65** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:07 am

I agree with Bagtic, we seem to need a different gun for everything, I am no different. When I was a kid, my grandfather had 3 guns, Winchester model 62 22lr, winchester model 42 .410, and an ithica double 12 gage. I never heard him wish for more gun. I am currently at 9 ( including the 62 and the double 12 ) and counting, always seem to need just one more.

Just my 2 cents.

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:16 am

+3 for bagtic, he nailed it. is fun and quite expensive to have a different gun for every target. keeps the industry alive, though