.22 LR for coyotes??

[onedown]

I received a .22 LR from an uncle a while back and was looking to put it to some good use. I have only put about 50 shots through it so far, not from any great range either(30ish yards) I like shooting this semi, and want to try to put an animal on the ground with it.

In this area we have a large coyote population I want to reduce and have some fun doing it. We literally hear the damn things yipping almost every night. They aren't doing much for our deer population either. I mainly crossbow hunt whitetails.

I'm wondering if I have enough firepower with this gun? I was thinking about using it for now and see how effective it was. I didn't really want to have to go out and get another rifle - if I do I would be holding out for a used LH .243 or .270, something I could also use for deer down the road. (Wife says I'm on a budget)

Wanted to see what everyone thought. How many of you guys use these for dogs?


Jay

 

[otter]

Not a good idea if you want a humane kill.

 

[AB.boy]

I have used a 22 Rimfire Magnum for coyotes. One shot DRT out to 100 yards. I would hesitate to use a 22 LR unless it was really close.

 

[Scott_N]

While a .22 will kill a coyote, it won't do it every time. Too light in my opinion.

 

[team_realtree]

Ive shot gophers with a .22lr that didn't die. You would need near perfect shot placement every time.

 

[R005t3r]

Oh yeah, it'll kill'em; eventually .223 is the better choice. Or if you want a .243 this will do nicely:

http://www.hornady.com/store/243-Win-558gr-V-MAX-Superformance/

Be respectful. Be merciful.

 

[crazydave]

unless the yote is very close and you could guarantee a headshot, the .22 is not enough.

 

[tigger]

I agree with it being too little to be consistantly effective. If you must make sure you are close and use great ammo, cci sells good stuff for this purpose.

 

[Ormachek]

If a coyote popped up less than 50 yds from me and I was holding a .22lr, damn rights I'd shoot him with it. Would I go out specifically to hunt 'yotes with a .22? Hell no. Way better rifles for the job.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Check out CCI Velocitor ammo . . . supposed to be good on coyotes. I've never used it personally.

 

[B]

In the hands of a skilled shooter at reasonable (short) ranges it is fine. Sounds like you would likely end up with a wounded Yote... No offense intended. The nice thing about having a semi-auto though, you can keep shooting without losing him in in the sights until the mag runs dry. Practice some more and give it a shot.

 

[yidava25]

use it till you get something bigger.

 

[onedown]

Sounds like you would likely end up with a wounded Yote... No offense intended.

None taken, however like I said, I do a fair bit of hunting.

You guys don't make it sound promising for me. Was hoping for a better response, but thanks for the honesty and quick replies.


J

 

[cyclone]

Check out CCI Velocitor ammo . . . supposed to be good on coyotes. I've never used it personally.

Though :

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/education/faqs.aspx

Q: I bought a box of Stinger ammunition and want to hunt coyotes out to 300 yards, how high will I need to hold to be on at 300 yds?

A: Know the limitations of the product, Stinger will reach 300 yards, but it is not a "coyote killer" at that range. Unless your scope is different than mine, if you are sighted-in at about 100 yds, the coyote will not be visible in the scope when you hold high enough to hit it.

So for stingers, yea , but the Velocitors are fun cartridges...

None taken, however like I said, I do a fair bit of hunting.

You guys don't make it sound promising for me. Was hoping for a better response, but thanks for the honesty and quick replies.


J

Did you have a specific distance/range in mind ?

 

[wheelin_ca]

for the range it would be effective to, id rather use the crossbow

keep the 22 for bunnies

 

[Chizzy]

I like shooting this semi, and want to try to put an animal on the ground with it.

Jay

Check out CCI Velocitor ammo . . . supposed to be good on coyotes.

You mentioned it was a semi, what about three quick bang, bang, bangs with CCI velocitors????

That should get the job done?



Regards,

Chizzy

 

[olansky]

its a semi just pump em full of holes

 

[beefman]

If a coyote popped up less than 50 yds from me and I was holding a .22lr, damn rights I'd shoot him with it. Would I go out specifically to hunt 'yotes with a .22? Hell no. Way better rifles for the job.

^^^ This.

 

[onedown]

Did you have a specific distance/range in mind ?

Inside 100 for sure. I'm not talkin smoking them from 200 - 300 yards, I couldn't get a shot off that far where I hunt. As much as I hate the things, the last thing I want is to intentionally wound anything. I've lost a few deer in my time and it's sucks. A coyote is far from a deer in my eyes but the same principle applies.

I may take it out and be patient for a reasonably close shot, inside 50 would be great. I'll keep my eyes/ears peeled for something a little bigger in the meantime.

I got another week of bowhunting still anyways before I get to those damn dogs.


J

 

[rral22]

Coyotes are very tough. Pound for pound, one of the toughest. I would never intentionally use a .22RF to hunt them. My advice is, don't do it.

You may get away with it on occasion, but inevitably some animal is going to die a long, ugly death if you persist in it.