Can I hunt close range coyote with my ruger 10/22?

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

Many people here will not agree, but I would strongly suggest that you rethink your situation. Against a coyote (medium to large sized dog) the .22 will be underpowered. You might get lucky with a heart or lung shot, but I would not hold your breath waiting. I would not consider a head shot to be a good shot, since the .22 will most likely skim the skull (not penetrate it) and give the coyote a headache!

As a last resort, your .22 would have to suffice, but I would not choose the .22 for this task! Your .22 is more suited to rabbit and squirrel, and maybe close in 'chuck and groundhog ... maximum. A higher powered centerfire .22 (i.e.: .222 Remington or Remington Magnum, or .223 Remington would be a wiser choice!)

Good luck!

Answer 2

This question has been asked before, and I'll give the same answer I did last time. If a coyote's in the chicken coop and it's all you have, the 10/22 is the best tool for the job. If you're planning to go out hunting coyotes, pick another rifle.

NOTE: I own a 17 HMR, and love it. It's fast, flat, and ACCURATE. In my opinion however, the light .17 grain bullets simply are too underpowered and susceptible to wind drift for larger varminting. It would be better than .22 LR, but still not enough.

Answer 3

If a 10/22 is you one and only choice and you are close enough then it will work. But honestly its it is not the right tool for the job. If you just have to do this, make sure you can place the bullet in the brain cavity. I'd hesitate to suggest you heart shoot one.

I have no particular love for coyotes but I dislike the idea of not making a clean kill and for the animal to suffer through days and even weeks of agony before dying. It is unethical to do so, and you shouldn't even call yourself a hunter if this is going to be your practice.

Look to upgrade to something bigger. A .223 is a far better choice. While there are other good calibers, the price of ammo for the .223 makes it one of the best since you can then afford to practice a lot more.

Answer 4

First check your states regulations, Some states do not allow coyote hunting at all for any reason the first 2 states that jump to mind start with the letter C, thanks to Bunny Huggers.

100% camouflage face net, gloves and body for close up coyotes.

I would not even dare to guess how many coyotes have been killed with a 22 LR , Just remember shot placement is critical.
I have killed several with a Ruger Mark II pistol which is 22LR.
From past experience go for the head, neck or spine shot if you get a chance.
Heart lung shot will kill, but most of the time he gets away and dies some where else.
Every body shot I’ve seen with a 22LR the coyote falls to ground biting the area he was shot as if he thought he was stung by a bee, then he jumps up and runs and believe me he’ll kicks in the after burners and he’s gone.
If he hit’s the ground biting him self, keep shooting till he stops moving.

I Just have to say this nothing personal, Don’t walk up on a wounded coyote, he will eat you up, he’s faster then you could ever dream possible, he may only weigh from 30 to 50+ pounds but pound for pound it’s pure Fury when he feels your trying to put him on the endangered species list.

But the 22 LR is not my weapon of choice, where as the 223 shooting a 55 grain Ballistic Tip to heart lung area and I have never had one run more then 10 feet and he never moves again.
I use the Varmint style Ballistic Tips by Nosler in all my varmint weapons due to the fact it is very fragmental.
When I have to work in close to live stock on a bounty job, I will only use my 223 with the 55 grain Ballistic Tip so far it has never exited the coyote on the heart lung shot, it goes in and explodes like a small grenade, that way I don’t have to worry about over penetration and endangering my clients live stock.

When I hunt alone I carry a back up hand gun Ruger 357 mag for the young and dumb coyotes that run in on the up wind side of you where you usually have your back to, because you are watching your down wind side for the majority will come in on the down wind side.
I’ve had young coyote find out what a 357 mag felt like at 10 feet coming up behind me, and that will set them down hard on their haunches.
I keep the pistol in my lap and my Varmint rifle on its bipods pointed down wind once I start to call.
My varmint rifles a all zeroed for 200 yards, and are not worth much with those big scopes for 50 feet or less, that my reason for a back up, when I hunt alone.
I don’t wont to Educate, I wont to Eradicate.


D 58

Answer 5

Yes, up to about 80 yards, but try for head shots and aim for the base of the ear. The .22 is the most under rated round in the world.
I recommend using the PMC Sidewinder. It's a 40 grain solid point that is accurate in my 10/22 and gets 1200 feet per second according to my chronograph. It will pop the coyote's skull.

Answer 6

People have been killing coyotes at short range with the .22 LR for years. Just make sure you have quality hollow point ammo. Avoid using subsonic loads and try for a head shot.

H

Answer 7

Depending on which state you're in, it may be legal.
From an "ethics of hunting" standpoint, I'd consider it questionable at best, and I would probably not do it. With a .22 magnum, perhaps...Maybe even with one of those new super-high-velocity .17's (though I haven't researched them, and wouldn't use them until I do), but standard .22LR on something that size, only at very close range, and only if I had to.

Good Luck, whichever way you go....

Answer 8

I know for a fact that one shot with a 22LR will not drop a coyote even a shot to the head.A 22 magnum will.

Answer 9

You should be able to. You need to make sure you get a good, clean shot, though. You also might want to use some high velocity .22 rounds.

Answer 10

I do it all the time.