dan brothers
New member
I read it...good stuff... I'll be trying that ... thanks so much...Dan
Calling Raccoons... What Guns do You Prefer?
- Thread starter Kentucky_Windage
- Start date
duckhunter_67502
New member
Shooting coon with a shotgun is like shooting coyotes with a grenade launcher, why? No fur buyer in the country wants to buy a shotgun killed coon, most won't. And if they find out thats what your doing you'd better find someone else to take your fur to, they'll be done with ya.
If you decide to start calling coon 22 WMR is the only way to go. I've had my best success with Hornady ammo, 30gr V-max. The magic number is 2300 to 2500fps. Anymore and they won't be worth a nickel when shot, any less and they'll run right back in the tree. Look at the ft/lbs of energy compared to a 17 HMR or 22 LR, no comparison.
We also downloaded .223 ammo with 40 gr V-max's to run in the fps range above. They are awesome!!! Little entrance, no exit. They won't cycle through an AR but are great in a bolt gun or single shot. When Hornady figures out how to push a 40gr V-max to 2400 fps in a 22 magnum I'll be set.
If you decide to start calling coon 22 WMR is the only way to go. I've had my best success with Hornady ammo, 30gr V-max. The magic number is 2300 to 2500fps. Anymore and they won't be worth a nickel when shot, any less and they'll run right back in the tree. Look at the ft/lbs of energy compared to a 17 HMR or 22 LR, no comparison.
We also downloaded .223 ammo with 40 gr V-max's to run in the fps range above. They are awesome!!! Little entrance, no exit. They won't cycle through an AR but are great in a bolt gun or single shot. When Hornady figures out how to push a 40gr V-max to 2400 fps in a 22 magnum I'll be set.
Chris_Brice
New member
Check this thread: http://www.predatormastersforums.com/for...565#Post1712565
You'll notice in the pics that we used both .22lr 10/22's (spittin Velocitors) and a .22M Rem 597 (spittin CCI 40gr. HP's). IMO, there is little difference in effectiveness between the cartridges on coon. If you hit em right they drop, if you don't they run. Running is bad when they are feet away from their den. In other words hit em right. Aim for the brain or spine and prepare for follow up shots. Heart/lung shots with any rimfire results in runners more times than not.
We tried shotguns this year too. Fur buyers have been buying shotgunned furbearers for a couple centuries and still do. Just keep it reasonable. Me? I didn't like the damage the 3" 12ga hevi-shot BB's did on coon but that was more personal preference than anything else and I messed up too. I should have backed farther away from the tree and made sure I wasn't too close. Also, I'm think larger shot is better. Fewer holes, less raked fur. We haven't given up on shotguns yet. I'm gonna try some 2 3/4" shells and larger buck.
CB
You'll notice in the pics that we used both .22lr 10/22's (spittin Velocitors) and a .22M Rem 597 (spittin CCI 40gr. HP's). IMO, there is little difference in effectiveness between the cartridges on coon. If you hit em right they drop, if you don't they run. Running is bad when they are feet away from their den. In other words hit em right. Aim for the brain or spine and prepare for follow up shots. Heart/lung shots with any rimfire results in runners more times than not.
We tried shotguns this year too. Fur buyers have been buying shotgunned furbearers for a couple centuries and still do. Just keep it reasonable. Me? I didn't like the damage the 3" 12ga hevi-shot BB's did on coon but that was more personal preference than anything else and I messed up too. I should have backed farther away from the tree and made sure I wasn't too close. Also, I'm think larger shot is better. Fewer holes, less raked fur. We haven't given up on shotguns yet. I'm gonna try some 2 3/4" shells and larger buck.
CB
yotecatslayer34
New member
" We tried shotguns this year too. Fur buyers have been buying shotgunned furbearers for a couple centuries and still do. Just keep it reasonable. Me? I didn't like the damage the 3" 12ga hevi-shot BB's did on coon but that was more personal preference than anything else and I messed up too. I should have backed farther away from the tree and made sure I wasn't too close. Also, I'm think larger shot is better. Fewer holes, less raked fur. We haven't given up on shotguns yet. I'm gonna try some 2 3/4" shells and larger buck. "
+ 1, very true. Shotguns work fine, just make smart shots.
+ 1, very true. Shotguns work fine, just make smart shots.
dan brothers
New member
this statement that duckhunter made is very interesting....
We also downloaded .223 ammo with 40 gr V-max's to run in the fps range above. They are awesome!!! Little entrance, no exit. They won't cycle through an AR but are great in a bolt gun or single shot. When Hornady figures out how to push a 40gr V-max to 2400 fps in a 22 magnum I'll be set.
We also downloaded .223 ammo with 40 gr V-max's to run in the fps range above. They are awesome!!! Little entrance, no exit. They won't cycle through an AR but are great in a bolt gun or single shot. When Hornady figures out how to push a 40gr V-max to 2400 fps in a 22 magnum I'll be set.
massbigbore442001
New member
It appears that a .22 Hornet would be the right way to go with coon.
I really enjoyed reading the posts regarding coon calling. Within a short time I will buy a Foxpro with some coon sounds. Hopefully I will be able to do something with it before the season ends for us in Massachusetts) Jan 31st)
I really enjoyed reading the posts regarding coon calling. Within a short time I will buy a Foxpro with some coon sounds. Hopefully I will be able to do something with it before the season ends for us in Massachusetts) Jan 31st)
ksyotecallr
New member
Tried the 17hmr and the 22mag, both will do the job. BUT when they are coming down the side of a big ol den tree like they were shot out of a canon, they are much easier to hit with the shotgun. Specially on the ground. Dueces or triple bbs have done the trick for me. My fur buyer doesn't seem to mind shotgunned coons, so long as they are not tore up.
dan brothers
New member
After all this reading and learning about coons... I just realized that we can't use ecallers on coons... foxes... or bobcats... in SC... what a bummer...
coyotes...crows.... hogs....only
hand calls are okay....
can you call coons with hand calls...
coyotes...crows.... hogs....only
hand calls are okay....
can you call coons with hand calls...
Last edited:
swift one
New member
Dan brothers,
Yes, you can call coons with hand calls. I personally have never tried a coon squaller handcall, but I have had success with closed reed calls and bite reed calls making high pitched squeals and a chicken in distress sounding thing that I make.
I do believe though that it would be more advantageous to call while you slowly walk scanning the trees if your hunting at night. A good raccoon fight sound on an ecaller can usually get a raccoon to come walking towards you, but a hand call with intermittent calling will more than likely in my opinion put them in the tree tops for a better position to see whats going on.
A number of times while using hand calls for coyotes at night, I have shined coon eyes in trees well more than 100yds away. They are curious creatures and I play that weakness against them.
Yes, you can call coons with hand calls. I personally have never tried a coon squaller handcall, but I have had success with closed reed calls and bite reed calls making high pitched squeals and a chicken in distress sounding thing that I make.
I do believe though that it would be more advantageous to call while you slowly walk scanning the trees if your hunting at night. A good raccoon fight sound on an ecaller can usually get a raccoon to come walking towards you, but a hand call with intermittent calling will more than likely in my opinion put them in the tree tops for a better position to see whats going on.
A number of times while using hand calls for coyotes at night, I have shined coon eyes in trees well more than 100yds away. They are curious creatures and I play that weakness against them.
Last edited:
Kentucky_Windage
New member
Anyone shot any of the recent Savage 93 variants? The 93 BJR has kind of caught my eye... nice laminate stock and spiral-fluted heavy barrel in .22 WMR. I've hear they're shooters. Not entirely sure what I like about it. Maybe just the fact that it's different. Maybe I've just been a little overexposed to synthetic/stainless in recent years.
Originally Posted By: Kentucky_WindageAnyone shot any of the recent Savage 93 variants? The 93 BJR has kind of caught my eye... nice laminate stock and spiral-fluted heavy barrel in .22 WMR. I've hear they're shooters. Not entirely sure what I like about it. Maybe just the fact that it's different. Maybe I've just been a little overexposed to synthetic/stainless in recent years.
My wife and I have that exact gun and we both really like it. They are definitely shooters. With that said I may be selling mine and getting a Magnum Research auto 22WMR. My wife says she will not get rid of her's no matter what.
Not very often but every now and then it would be nice to have a little quicker follow-up shot with an auto. I am just trying to convince myself that spending more money for the auto is actually worth it.
My wife and I have that exact gun and we both really like it. They are definitely shooters. With that said I may be selling mine and getting a Magnum Research auto 22WMR. My wife says she will not get rid of her's no matter what.
Not very often but every now and then it would be nice to have a little quicker follow-up shot with an auto. I am just trying to convince myself that spending more money for the auto is actually worth it.
Kentucky_Windage
New member
Originally Posted By: Pro_huntOriginally Posted By: Kentucky_WindageAnyone shot any of the recent Savage 93 variants? The 93 BJR has kind of caught my eye... nice laminate stock and spiral-fluted heavy barrel in .22 WMR. I've hear they're shooters. Not entirely sure what I like about it. Maybe just the fact that it's different. Maybe I've just been a little overexposed to synthetic/stainless in recent years.
My wife and I have that exact gun and we both really like it. They are definitely shooters. With that said I may be selling mine and getting a Magnum Research auto 22WMR. My wife says she will not get rid of her's no matter what.
Not very often but every now and then it would be nice to have a little quicker follow-up shot with an auto. I am just trying to convince myself that spending more money for the auto is actually worth it.
If you don't mind... What kind of groups are you getting? What ammo does it like?
My wife and I have that exact gun and we both really like it. They are definitely shooters. With that said I may be selling mine and getting a Magnum Research auto 22WMR. My wife says she will not get rid of her's no matter what.
Not very often but every now and then it would be nice to have a little quicker follow-up shot with an auto. I am just trying to convince myself that spending more money for the auto is actually worth it.
If you don't mind... What kind of groups are you getting? What ammo does it like?
I started out with the 34gr winchester supreme hollow points and it shot good enough I have not tried anything else. I do have a box of 40gr dynapoints but have not shot them through the gun yet to see how they do.
I have never actually measured a group but at 50 yards if I do my part a 3 shot group will be one ragged hole or dang close to it. I know 50 yards is not much but all my shots coon calling are less than that so I have never shot it at 100 yards. If/when I decide to sell it I will shoot some 50 and 100 yard groups to show interested buyers.
I have never actually measured a group but at 50 yards if I do my part a 3 shot group will be one ragged hole or dang close to it. I know 50 yards is not much but all my shots coon calling are less than that so I have never shot it at 100 yards. If/when I decide to sell it I will shoot some 50 and 100 yard groups to show interested buyers.
Wallbass45
New member
Originally Posted By: dan brothersAfter all this reading and learning about coons... I just realized that we can't use ecallers on coons... foxes... or bobcats... in SC... what a bummer...
coyotes...crows.... hogs....only
hand calls are okay....
can you call coons with hand calls... Hey Dan go to Kettle Creek Calls and get a Griz-N-Gray call it works well enough!!!
coyotes...crows.... hogs....only
hand calls are okay....
can you call coons with hand calls... Hey Dan go to Kettle Creek Calls and get a Griz-N-Gray call it works well enough!!!
Kentucky_Windage
New member
I found a 93 BRJ locally and bit... popped a Leupy 3-9x50 scope on and am waiting for a low-wind day to try a few brands of ammo and zero. Will try some CCI 40 gr. for starters. Have high hopes for Rem 33 gr. AccuTip based on reviews by other model 93 owners. Coincidentally, got a message tonight from a guy who says raccoons are causing him major headaches on his hog lease. If I don't get the 22 Mag dialed in before I go, guess I'll have to bop 'em with my .223 or 22-250.
Just out of curiosity, any of you regular raccoon callers wear a backup pistola? Seems like a good idea to me. Don't want one of those furballs with teeth climbing in my lap...
Here's the new toy. Scores high in coolness factor. Nice laminate stock, spiral-fluted heavy barrel, Accutrigger. First impressions are favorable. Eager to see if it shoots. Crappy pic, but was in hurry to add a photo to my records.
Just out of curiosity, any of you regular raccoon callers wear a backup pistola? Seems like a good idea to me. Don't want one of those furballs with teeth climbing in my lap...
Here's the new toy. Scores high in coolness factor. Nice laminate stock, spiral-fluted heavy barrel, Accutrigger. First impressions are favorable. Eager to see if it shoots. Crappy pic, but was in hurry to add a photo to my records.