.22WMR on Coyote

[FlyingHigh]

who here hunts coyote with a .22WMR? i'm thinking of picking one up in the near future. most of the places i hunt coyote, the shots are never more than 200 yards, often less. a .22WMR should be an adequate caliber i'm thinking. but i'm humming and hawing on stepping up to a 22-250 just to reach out a bit farther.

at what ranges do you feel comfortable taking a shot at a coyote with a .22WMR?

 

[trebor2880]

Coyote at 200 yds., with a .22 mag?
Don't think many will go with you, on this one.

 

[FlyingHigh]

usually the shots are 100 - 150. never more than 200 yards. like i said though, i'm looking at a .22-250. the Savage Stevens 200 is in my price range for a truck/varmint gun, but i'd prefer iron sights over a scope.

 

[GIGGIDY]

I wouldn't take a shot at a coyote over 75yrds with a .22mag. That's just my personal opinion. I'd definitely step up to a centre fire rifle .20cal or bigger.

 

[keith mokry]

I shot a few with the 22mag out to 150y but not further, usually 100-125y mark. Might want to look at the 22 hornet to give you the little extra range.

Keith

 

[glang1]

IMHO the .22 mag is not the best choice for coyotes. 22 mag ammo has around 150 ft lbs of energy @ 100 yards, vs the .223 rem which has around 900 ft lbs of energy @ 100 yards. I would recommend the .22 centerfire as the minimum coyote round.

George

 

[Superbrad]

I have to go with glang.... for a cheap truck gun that will reach out there look at a handi rifle in .223.....

 

[KDX]

I think Savage and a few others are now chambering rifles in 22 Hornet. .223 is always a good bet.

 

[brybenn]

100 yard max on a perfect motionless broadside shot. I use my mag while hunting/ambushing ditches in the winter often less then 20 yards. At that range my 12ga and 2506 do to much damage. Buy the stevens and a decent scope and whack them with confidence. They deserve a quick kill

 

[AB.boy]

I have taken lots of 'yotes with the .22mag. One shot DRT but always kept the ranges reasonable like under 125 yards, and passed on shots exceeding that.

I found later season coyotes, or more wary ones, that are less interested in calls always hung-up out of that range so that's when I started packin' the 22 centrefire rifles.

 

[masterqaz]

For what youll spend on the 22wmr you might as well get a savage or stevens in 223 and 22-250, you wont be guessing should i or shouldnt i take a shot with those.

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

I certainly would not recommend under a .222 or .223 for a shot over 100 yards. Too many are wounded and run when undergunned at a distance.

 

[mvarley84]

I use my 22mag on yotes out to 150...the feilds we hunt, that is the maximum distance to shoot. I have never had a problem. Most only run 20 or 30 yds. I wouldnt take a shot outside 150yds tho, just not enough energy on target beyond that. If you are keeping the pelts, the 22mag is great, usually no exit wond so the pelt stays relatively intact. Use a heavier bullet tho...I use winchester dynapoints in 45gr.

 

[FlyingHigh]

thanks for the info folks. i'll step back and take another serious look at a .22-250 or .223.

 

[Crashman]

I've shot likely 20 + plus coyotes over the years, not a lot but a few to get the idea what works. I shot one with a 22 mag at about 125 yards, knocked him down but he got right back up. Fortunately with the light recoil and fast handling of the lever action, I had another round chambered and ready when he got up. Second shot put him down for keeps. I have never shot another one with the 22 mag since, I prefer the 222 or 22-250 for a 22 cal, or will go 243 or 25-06 when the ranges really stretch or wind is a factor. A friend uses 17 caliber centerfire and he seems to do just fine with that too, although it does get blown around a bit at extended ranges when it is windy.

 

[roccoskeet]

IMHO 22 mag on a yote would be 100 yards max.