What can be done with a 22LR?

Originally Posted By: Ward H.Anything bigger than a feral CST, in my opinion, would be in clean kills giving hunters more of a bad name. I do Have a colt m4 ar22. That with a box of ammo, my pup patty and a cute girl is the most fun. It's legal to do that in texas. Also a great way to introduce kids/girlfriends and dogs to hunting.

If you are going at night like I always do. Be sure to get you a stiknshoot!!

For the most part, I have no idea what you just said.

.22's are obviously a great choice for most any small animal, or game, and probably capable of killing most things in a pinch, especially if you can make head shots. I guess the biggest thing I've ever killed with one was a jack rabbit.
 
Lots of fox and coyotes have been taken with the .22 rimfire and certainly if you get them inside of shotgun range, a .22 will seal the deal.

The key is going to be dicipline on the part of the hunter. When a coyote is coming in, it's hard for some to have the control to hold and wait until the dog is inside acceptable .22 range. It's hard to control yourself when you see the coyote start to hang up just outside of range, but you have to stick tight to the effective range.

Grouse
 
I've killed a coyote with a 22LR, and once saw a deer killed with one. Growing up on a farm (and still farming) all I had was a 22 rifle and a 20 guage shotgun. I killed a gazillion groundhogs with a 22, in addition to coons, feral cats and wild dogs. Was it the most humane way to dispatch them? Probably not, but it didn't matter if they died on the spot or ran off and died, the important thing was to get rid of pests. I have better choices now and use them, but never underestimate the killing power of a 22LR.
 
I would think that a 22lr has killed everything in this and more at one time or the other. Not the best all in one caliber but if it is put in the right spot i.e. ear or eye.
 
Ive dispatched a large domestic hog with a rifle for butchering...quick and clean. For hunting ive shot many rabbits, squirrels, possums, coons and woodchucks. I wouldn't hesitate on a coyote within 50 yards as long as your shot was right in front of the ear... I have no doubt that over the years many larger critters were dispatched with the round, but I think its like the gamo airgun video of the guy killing a hog with a .177 air rifle...just because you can doesn't mean its advisable. Just my .02
 
Originally Posted By: kymailman98I've killed a coyote with a 22LR, and once saw a deer killed with one. Growing up on a farm (and still farming) all I had was a 22 rifle and a 20 guage shotgun. I killed a gazillion groundhogs with a 22, in addition to coons, feral cats and wild dogs. Was it the most humane way to dispatch them? Probably not, but it didn't matter if they died on the spot or ran off and died, the important thing was to get rid of pests. I have better choices now and use them, but never underestimate the killing power of a 22LR.

+1
 
Tim, are those trapped dogs or hunted/called? Honest question, not doubting they're hunted, just would be way cooler to know they were more than a few yards away and un-tethered.

I used a Marlin 60 for coyotes for a long time when I was growing up. Killed a lot of coyotes with a Ruger Mark II in college as opportunity shots in KSU's Rodeo Team stockyard.

Went on an impromptu Christmas hunt with my family last year, 3 model 60's, 4 dead coyotes.

Obviously the range is incredibly limited and shot placement is critical. Head shots only with solid bullets, 50yrds or less. Shoot until the wheels fall off.
 
I've never shot and recovered any critter larger than coon with a .22lr (and called coon can be iffy) so for all practical purposes that's where I draw my line. Doesn't mean I won't try targets of opportunity with the little rimfire, just don't "hunt" anything larger with one. Personal decision.
 
Originally Posted By: VarminterrorTim, are those trapped dogs or hunted/called? Honest question, not doubting they're hunted, just would be way cooler to know they were more than a few yards away and un-tethered.


Both had been tracked (no hounds) and after chasing them for a bit they each tried their best to hide , but did not do a good enough job.
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Too close for a shotgun,so the wheelgun got the action.
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We've killed 4 close range ones in the last 5 years,all have been female.
 
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