Fav .22 Mag ammo for bigger varmints?

Thanks gents, all good info. So if you were thinking of a 22 MAG just for coyotes, would you get a SEMI (Savage, 22MAG) or a bolt? I already have a wonderful TIKKA 223 and accuracy is under 1" @200 yards. (last week did 3 shots into 5/8"@200). As much as I like that rifle it has a 26" barrel and is SLIGHTLY on the heavy side AND we hunt mostly bush. Shots would mostly be 75-100MAX!!
There is the opportunity for follow up/second shots so wondering if a semi is justified? OR do I stay with a bolt, always my favourite.
Thanks again for all your input, appreciate it. BB
 
big boar said:
Has anyone used a 22 MAG on coyotes? Close range only, max about 75 metres. I was thinking about getting a semi in 22 Mag as we hunt bush and 75 is about max. Savage makes one as does CZ. The CZ looks prettier but costs quite a bit more. Thanks.
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I have shot 4 coyotes with the 22 WMR, all inside 50 Meters. Death was pretty well instant, but I took no body shots, only head.
Ammo was Winchester grey box 40 gr HP. In my experience, this ammo, and the Maxi-Mag 40 gr are most likely to produce
acceptable groups. My Anschutz does not care for the 50 grain Federal offering, producing dismal groups. Dave.
 
I have taken quite a few coyotes with a 22mag. I wear whites and back into or lay on top of snow banks and call them in. They run the frozen creeks often and shots are generally under 30 yards. Most often 10 or less. 40gr tmj thru the top of the shoulder drops them immediately and i always get an exit if broadside. I like this bullet for chest on shots to. 2 or 3 spins and you got a dead dog. I dont like head shots but ill aim for the base of the skull with a 40ga hp or 30 to 33gr tipped bullet. Always provides an instant death. The 22mag is great for this type of hunting as its relatively quiet. Using my short barrel 223 or 2506 is loud when shooting between creek banks.
Ive shot a nice big male coyote broadside at 125 yards with a vmax 22mag load. It made it across the field and a couple hundred yards down the fenceline. No blood on fresh snow. I found it by luck on my way back as i ran the other side down trying to beat it thru the ditch at the end of the property. Not cutting his tracks i walked thru looking for him. The bullet only entered 1 lung.
Same load on a jackrabbit at 225 yards yielded a broken bottom jaw first shot. 2nd shot entered between the front shoulder and rib cage. The bullet other than loosing the red tip and a small dent looks new minus the rifling marks. Enough the kill the jack but not enough to expand the bullet or push thru for an exit
 
Wouldn’t bother with a 22 mag. I don’t see it’s appeal and ammo price. Just not worth it. Reload your own 223 or even a smaller hornet and even make the loads more mild if you like
 
Going for less report and reduced range. It has ample power for coyotes and well placed shots behind the front shoulder will kill any coyote. If you shoot one and don't recover its because you didn't make a good shot or your not real sharp on tracking! Even a poorly placed shot will probably be lethal but not quick or ethical. I have killed close to a dozen coyotes with a !7 HMR and none went farther than ten yards and most hit the snow or dirt in under thirty feet, Shot placement is the key. JMO
 
Hey Mike112288, as I mentioned above, I have a wonderfully accurate Tikka in 223. It's just a bit long and heavy for the thick bush we now hunt in. So far shots are pretty close, MAX range is about 75 steps. I was considering a small, short lightweight rifle in 22 Mag that would be easier to use in thick stuff. Not sure a 22RF would work?
Nice info, thanks much.
 
Mike112288 said:
Wouldn’t bother with a 22 mag. I don’t see it’s appeal and ammo price. Just not worth it. Reload your own 223 or even a smaller hornet and even make the loads more mild if you like
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Reloading is an option, but you don't really save money on some stuff. By my estimate a .22 Hornet hand load would cost me a bit over $16 per 50. That's with a cheap varmint bullet, and not counting time, or the brass. About the same price for good soft point or, hollow point .22 WMR.
 
I've shot a .22 mag for a long time now (it was my first ever rifle). CCI TMJ (total metal jackets) for upland, beavers and dispatch. 40gr maxi mags for coyotes, fox, etc. And what ever is cheapest for gophers!
 
Interesting find when I did some test firing. Apparently my rifle doesn't particularly care for CCI ammunition, which I found weird. Figured it would be the exact opposite. Likes the Winchester Super X grey box which is kind of a semi jacketed bullet, which I figured was going to land near the back of the pack. And it also liked the 50 gr. Federal Gameshock.

Put up some ammo for trade or sale now if anyone is interested. Not sure if I can ship it from my little town, but would if it is possible!

On the upside I have a bit of the stuff that the gun likes on its way.
 
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