Coyote medicine?

chris4570 · Post by **chris4570** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:24 pm

I don't own any .22 centerfires, will a .22lr if used on coyotes, 50 yards and under, be sufficient? Head shots only.

hawg hunter · Post by **hawg hunter** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:38 pm

If the truth be known that little rimfire cartridge has killed more game than all the rest put together. In the hands of good shot it has kiled everything from rats to grizzly bears. The answer to your Question is yes.

buckeye · Post by **buckeye** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:57 pm

if I were you chris I would try to borrow a centerfire rifle. Coyotes are pretty tough animals and can take a beating. If you only take heads shots using round nose bullets (not hollow points) it should do the job but it is still iffy. If you do miss your mark and hit his jaw he will die a slow painful death and no animal deserves that. Every hunter must strive for clean efficient kills no matter what he is hunting and in this case a .22 LR in my opinon is just not the right choice. Use enough gun and put a good bullet through his chest.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:22 pm

I'm with buckeye.

rutman · Post by **rutman** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:37 pm

50yrds or less, I'd throw one for the lungs, big target and less in the way. Bye bye yodle dog!

Cedrus · Post by **Cedrus** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:01 pm

Allan wrote:I'm with buckeye.

Likewise.

Sierra · Post by **Sierra** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:14 pm

Cedrus wrote:
Allan wrote:I'm with buckeye.
Likewise.

Same Here

Makomachine · Post by **Makomachine** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:15 pm

Ditto

Makomachine · Post by **Makomachine** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:17 pm

rutman wrote:50yrds or less, I'd throw one for the lungs, big target and less in the way. Bye bye yodle dog!

I'd prefer that shot than a headshot - although you probably still want a larger caliber, IMO. I've killed a few in my day when I was deer hunting that didn't go 5 feet - several with a .30-.30 to the torso and two with a broadhead through the lungs. Put one in the boiler and they go down quickly.

GonHuntin · Post by **GonHuntin** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:53 pm

Chris

I've dispatched enough animals in traps to know that the 22 is not a reliable killer on something the size of a coyote unless your shot is perfect!

You may be the exception, but I'd guess 95% of shooters couldn't keep 2 shots out of five in a coyotes head at 50 yards when the adrenaline is kicked in and they are trying to keep him from getting away! It's one thing to place your shots in a stationary target from a good rest......it's another thing to hit a moving 3" target (size of a coyotes brain) at 50 yards while you are excited and shooting from a field position!

I do a lot of coyote hunting......I've called in and killed a pile of them with .222, .223, 22-250 and 243.......I have seen too many require a second shot with those calibers to ever trust a 22 rimfire.......

chris4570 · Post by **chris4570** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:10 pm

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll try with the Exocet instead. I know that will do the trick!!

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:36 pm

Chris,
Do you have a shotgun? For coyotes at close range that might be a better choice. I'd try a range of shot size from #2 lead to #4 buckshot and see what patterns best out of the gun. There is also a new "heavi-shot" load in T-buck called "Dead Coyote" that is specifically made for coyote hunting. They claim it is good up to 60 or 70 yards depending on the gun. Haven't tried it (yet), but it sounds good. Don't know how you plan to hunt, but night time calling (where legal) is a good method with a shotgun.

ecoaster · Post by **ecoaster** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:37 pm

That's what I was armed with last weekend. Took some 3" 12guage turkey loads with the undertaker choke. 50 yards or less, I was pulling the trigger. Was using #5 , but will probably grab something heavier for next time.

DrDan · Post by **DrDan** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:44 pm

As far as a rifle is concerned, 223 or 222 is bare minimum. Anything less is cruel since it will leave wounded animals to die on their own. If you can call them in close #4 Buck is a good choice from a 12 gauge. You can't use Hevi-Shot unless your shotgun barrel is hard enough to shoot steel. Hevi-Shot is great and extends your pattern out to about 60 yards, but it will gouge the hell out of older barrels and chokes.

I have also had coyotes get past a 223 so right now I am using 17 Remington (no not them dang 17 HMR and 17 Mach II's) which will really jelly their insides and not cause much fur damage. On occasion I also use 243.

I'd use your crossbow or get a gun that will handle the game. I'm a firm believer in "not" leaving wounded critters out there so I wouldn't use a 22 for anything but squirrels and rabbits.

DrDan

DOXNUT · Post by **DOXNUT** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:30 pm

Myself I use a .22-250 Husqvarna Nitro, projecting a Nosler ballistic 55gr. Sure turns small critter quickly. With a quality placed shot, small and medium game just drop.