Is the Henry Acu-Bolt 22LR a good med. range coyote hunting rifle?

Question

by med. range i mean from 30-175 yrds and nothing over 200 yards.

Answer 1

As a Gunsmith and a Gun Shop Owner, and 25 year Varmint Hunter, I can tell you without any doubt that the Henry in standard .22 long rifle caliber is a waste of money if you intend to take Coyote at 40+ yards or further..HOWEVER, If you bought the same rifle in .17HMR caliber (Costs the same)
thats a whole different story. The .22 LR lacks stopping power and unless you make a good head shot, the Coyote is going to disappear (As in run away under his own power)
The .17HMR on the other hand is a smaller bullet but it's loaded into a necked down 22 Magnum case and shoots with much more muzzle velocity and shoots much flatter with reduced bullet drop, and incredible energy and impact. I have killed Coyotes with my .17 HMR Custom Remington at 230 yards without difficulty. There is just no comparison between the .22LR and the.17HMR. The ammunition for the .17HMR is somewhat expensive, but what would you rather do? Put them down or spend hours searching for wounded Coyotes shot with a .22LR or spend a few dollars more for ammunition that will do the job. I have sold over 35 NEW .17HMR caliber rifles in my shop already this year, and I can't manage to keep them in stock. That should tell you something.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is the Henry Acu-Bolt 22LR a good med. range coyote hunting rifle?
by med. range i mean from 30-175 yrds and nothing over 200 yards.

Answer 3

No.
I would not recommend anything under a center fire 22 caliber, shooting a fragmental bullet.
22 Hornet on up, I personally use 223 with a Ballistic Tip or a 25-06 with a Ballistic Tip.
I have never had a coyote run more then 10 yards after being hit with either of these.

It is my opinion that all 22 caliber rim fire and smaller are small game only ( as in rabbits, squirrels and woodchucks )
Coyotes and bobcats are medium game classification, requiring nothing smaller then the 22 center fire.

There are people ( note I did not say hunters ) out there that would shoot Deer with a 22 LR if allowed, That’s the very reason we have laws in place.

We as hunters owe it to the game we hunt to insure a one shot kill.
We do not ever intentional use too small of weapon that would just wound any animal, whether it’s a game animal or vermin.

It is this very practice, and advice to use such light calibers that has brought contempt to our sport of hunting.

You showed intelligence by asking this question, I ask you use the same intelligence to set an example to others as an Ethical Hunter.

Only together can we protect our sport, to insure that other generations have this privilege also.



D58


Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.

Answer 4

It is a DECENT close range gun for coyotes. I wouldnt make a shot at a coyote over 40 yards with a .22 LR. I shot one at around 65 yards and it bounced off its head. He shook and ran off before i could get him again. you can use a shotgun if you dont mind recoil from slugs, but they are limited to about 100 yards and arent as fast or accurate. Best bet, a centerfire rifle-.22 hornet, .222, 22-250, .223, .243, 25-06, 270, and im sure i missed a few smalle than a .270. Please use enough gun.

Good luck

Answer 5

No, I would go with something bigger. There is a lack of energy and trajectory when hunting coyotes with the .22 LR. I would go with the .22-250 Rem. when hunting them.

Answer 6

.223 is the most economic choice for a good ncoyote round. .22-250 is pricey and rimfire rounds are questionable at best. Rimfire rounds are for squirrel, rabbit, and other varmints of that nature.

Answer 7

You are under gunned for your prey*.. I recommend you seriously reconsider and get the 22 Hornet , 218Bee, 222 or 22-250 for hunting them*...

Answer 8

30 yards yes, 175 yards no,kick it up a knotch, and your golden with .22mag. I mean were just talking about a med dog size varmint!

Answer 9

No, .22LR will not do for coyotes.

You have lots of options, and some good advice so far....but please don't shoot 'yote with a .22LR.