Is a .22 really a good gun to hunt coyotes?

Question

Where I live we have never had a problem with coyotes, and right now they are becoming a big problem to the native game around.I don't know much about hunting coyotes. I have a semi-auto .22, 12g, and a 30-30 lever action. The 12g and the 30-30 doesn't give me hardly any range so I'd rather not use them. what I need to know is if the .22 is strong enough to take care of a large coyote. Because i pumped dogs full of lead (they were vital hits) and never kill them.If i do use the .22 what grain bullet do I need? Would a hollow piont work better. Where should I place my shot?

Answer 1

A .22 hollow point often will not expand. I do not think a 22 would be a good gun to kill a coyote. A .223 should work fine.

Answer 2

I would say use the 30-30.
It should be good almost out to 150 yards I'd think.
And the shotgun to about 70 yards - maybe a little more.

How much range do you need?

If you had to use .22's - I would use the 40gr solid lead bullets and not any type of hollow-point. They'll drop a deer dead with a head shot (I've heard).

My dog has a 22 just under her skin on her belly. She's about 40 lbs. She was doing some volunteer work herding a neighbors cows - I think. I didn't notice when she got it - was just rubbing her stomach and felt it there.

Re: Buckshot. I think that 000 has 4 or 5 pellets - but good old 00 has 9 pellets in a 2-3/4 shell or 15 in a 3" magnum shell (the hardest kicking round I ever did see!). I don't know about the range or viability of using single "ought" or #1 buck.

You should get some 00 and put something coyote sized targets (some cardboard boxes would do) out a ways - and see if you hit the one you're aiming at and with how many pellets (one is plenty). Choose the range where you consistently hit the target box with at least one pellet as your maximum.

Answer 3

Consider your .22 rimfire a weapon of opportunity when shooting coyote. If that's all you have handy then load it with good hollow-point ammo and take head shots. A .22 Magnum will work better, but if you are buying a 'coyote' gun I'd recommend a .223/5.56mm which will provide the range, knock-down power and ammo is plentiful. Otherwise your .30-30 lever action is good enough. I don't understand why you say it doesn't give you hardly any range? The .30-30 is hundred yard rifle which should be fine for coyote. If they are further out than that consider a .25-06 or .270 Winchester.

Best,

H

Answer 4

If you're planning on actually killing the coyotes, you're wasting your time with the .22. The best gun you have in your arsenal is the 30/30 as far as actually killing the animals. If you don't have a scope on the 30/30, you'd probably improve your shot with one. Since I don't know the barrel length of the gun, I can't determine just how good your range is.

Secondly, I don't know if you're familiar with buckshot, but purchasing that for your 12 gauge could also be an effective weapon against the coyotes. The only problem is that you'll have to have a very accurate shot. A 12 gauge buckshot, depending on the shell size, usually has three to four slugs in it. That doesn't give you much range since the farther you shoot from, the wider the slugs spread.

I'd suggest going to a local gunshop or sporting goods store and tell them about your situation. Also, have in mind the distance that you plan on shooting from. This will help the folks at the store determine the best ammo to use.

Finally, aim for the heart every time. Shooting a coyote is tougher than shooting a deer, since yotes rarely stop moving when they sense danger. In either case, you'll want to aim just behind the front shoulder about midway between the spine and the yote's ribcage.

Hope you clean up your varmint problem.

Answer 5

I agree with the person on managing coyotes you might have to find out why they are coming there. But, sometimes due to development or water they come in and it threatens the hunting so it is good to do some population control.

The .22lr is not good enough at any range and actually would have less range than your .30-30 for coyotes.

It would look into for ranges of 100yds or possibly a bit more the .17 HMR, it recoils like a .22 sounds a bit louder and is just a ,22 mag necked down to a .17 caliber and it packs a whalop on coyotes or prairie dogs. It knocks the guts out of prairie dog reliably even at long range!!!! That is the best thing to use with a good higher power scope especially in places where you are worried about noise and is the best for control in more dense areas. Just be careful with your shots etc. It is a cheaper gun and the rounds don't cost that much but if they are in high demand in your area the box of cartridges can go higher than the .223.

If you are doing longer range hunting for coyotes 200 yards or more the .223 is a good round it is a light recoiler, flat shooter, and there are alot of guns chambered for it although they will be more expensive than the .17 and sometimes more expensive than a normal hunting rifle.

Know if it is your out of the way hunting area and you want a good all around kind of caliber the .25/06 is a good gun, the .30/06 necked down to the .25. It will smack the coyotes really good and works on deer sized animals well too. It has more recoil and is louder though and is more expensive to shoot with guns running around the same as the .223. Although the .223 you can get away with less accurate rifles like the AR type rifle or cheaper like the Ruger min-14, but you can still get a great varmint rifle in that caliber too.

It all depends on your range and your needs. But you can use the 12 gauge or the .30-30 both work okay but definitely has limited range.

Check out local publications in your area they usually have articles on local hunting and coyotes should be one of them. That is how my nephew did it in Colorado, he found out the good reviews on the .17 Hmr and how it worked even on coyotes and I have used it, it is great for prarie dogs and even coyotes. We hunt on a private farm that for the sake of the cattle wishes the prairie dogs off their land. Needless to say we shot alot and the coyotes and the eagles got a good lunch but didn't really make a dent in the population. But, it was fun and the Marlin gun is a great buy. Prairie dog hunting gives you the use of a variety of positions that you only wish were on the range and help you practice your marksmanship skills.

Enjoy your coyote hunting! Good Luck and Be Safe!

Answer 6

Your question is interesting because your problem is that there are coyotes where their werent ones before, or not in high concentrations as previously seen. Since you have many coyotes, you need to figure out whats attracting them to your area. Do you have a high population of rabbits or other small game that coyote would go after or some other circumstance? Just by shooting a few coyotes won't solve the problem because those coyotes shot will have other ones take their place. What you need to find out is WHY they are coming into this area. Once you have found that out you can then deal with the manangement of coyotes.

If it comes down to shooting .22 is too small. your 30-30 would do the job but if you want to keep the pelt that might damage it. I'd suggest going with a 243 or .270 for hunting coyotes. You'll have a flat shooting firearm with enough power behind it to penitrate the coyote.

As for where to shoot, right behind the shoulder to hit double lungs. Or for a lethal shot between the eyes but you better be a good shot before even attempting that even the best condidtions i would still not reccomend it.. .The best shot placement ins behind the shoulder because its in the vitals and thats what you want.

Answer 7

I like how people respond without having a clue. A 22 is plenty enough firepower to bring down a coyote. If you can shoot a squirrel in the head at 50 yards, a coyote isn't going to be a problem. Only trouble is getting them that close. You will want a rifle with a bit more range. It will all depend on the distance you're at and what is legal or not.

Answer 8

If you are pumping dogs full of lead and not killing them then you need to stop because even as a nuisance animal its not humane.
A .223 is your best bet and it gives you the excuse to buy a mini-14 or Ar-15. I dont see how a .22 could ever be a better choice than a 30-30 for coyote in any instance the .22LR is illegal to use on deer but the .30-30 has killed as many deer as about any other cartridge.

Answer 9

Don't mess around with a .22 when shooting coyotes. You will only injure them most of the time. Get yourself a good varmint rifle. I love my cz550 varmint rifle in .308. It will take out varmints or I can use it as a deer rifle.....and its a whole lot of fun to shoot! Of course, there are a wide array of calibers to choose from. Find yourself a good long range rifle with a large enough bullet to knock 'em dead! If you want to kill the coyotes, you could have a great time with nighttime varmint calling. I've called up a lot of varmints and entertained myself with hours of excitement this way. See if Burnham Brothers in Marbles Falls, Texas has a website. They sell eveything you need. I use a Black Magic varmint call purchased from Burnham Bros. years ago and it works like magic! You'll have more fun than you've imagined possible if you start calling varmints and have a decent rifle to plug 'em with. You already have a .30-.30, so I really don't see any need for you to spend any money on another rifle unless you are just needing more range. If you call 'em up, they will come plenty close to hit them with your 30-30.

Answer 10

Bound's hubby here:

A .22 rimfire really is not adequate for coyote ... For squirrel ... yes, for rabbits ... yes, for snakes ... yes .... but "dog" sized game ... it is not adequate. As much as you would not trust your life on a .22 for defense of your life unless it was all you had ... there is a better choice.

If the coyote are a close problem ... that 12 ga. is a better choice for coyote control ... and if you live in a more open area, that .30-30 if definitely a better "varmint rifle" than your .22!

Remember, you should not shoot in a populated area, and consider your community's ordinances on discharging a firearm ... remember, Saftey First! Also, make sure of what is beyond your target!

Good luck!