What do you folks think about a .22 Win Mag for Coyote?

R

RSobkowz

New member
I have been pondering over trying Coyote hunting for a while now and recently decided to give it a go. I've bought some calls, been practicing, reading up, and all that good stuff. My question/predicament is this: I wanted a gun I could use for 'yotes as well as long range squirrel hunting. I was wondering what you folks thought about a .22 Win Mag for this situation. I know it lacks the distance of a 22-250 or other likable caliber, but truthfully in the region I hunt a 100 yard shot is tough to find. I am in western PA in an area where I KNOW some coyotes exist. Any help/opinions/criticism on this caliber?
Thanks in advance,
Ron
 
I HAVE HUNTED IN WESTERN PA. BEAUTIFUL STATE. I BELIEVE THAT THE 22 WIN MAG IS AN OK CHOICE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT ITS LIMITS. RIMFIRE AMMO FOR THE 22 MAG IS NOT THE GREATEST. GETTING A RIFLE TO SHOOT MOA IS NOT A GIVEN WITH A FACTORY RIFLE. I WOULD LIMIT MY SHOTS ON COYOTES TO UNDER 100 YARDS AND WOULD PREFER 75 YDS OR LESS. IF YOU WANTED TO LOOK AT A CENTERFIRE RIFLE I WOULD RECOMMEND A 222 OR 223, THE LATTER BEING MORE POPULAR AND AMMO MORE READILY AVAILABLE. I LIKE THE SMALL BORES THOUGH, AND THE 17 REM, OR NEW 204 RUGER WOULD BE FINE. I LEFT OUT THE 22 HORNET BUT IT HAS A PLACE ABOVE THE 22 MAG. I WOULD USE THE HEAVIER BULLETS FOR THE 22 MAG LIKE 50 OR 40 GRAINERS IF POSSIBLE. GOOD LUCK. I AM SURE YOU WILL GET LOTS OF RESPONSES TO THIS QUESTION. GOOD HUNTING. MONTANA HUNTER
 
Agree with above poster.I use the 22mag alot on public land its the only choice i have there.I have had to pass on several shots through the years.Most were not due to distance but i could not get good shot placement shot placement is the most inportant factor with the 22mag.
When iam not hunting public land were i have to use rimfire i tote somthing else rimfire is not on that list.There is no worst feeling than when you call your first yote and have to pass on a shot.Even worse in all the excitement make a bad shot.
I would go with one of the center fires one reason why is becouse when you call in your first yote you will forget about the squirrels.Every time i want to go squirrel hunting once i get in the woods i look around and say this place would make a good calling stand and back to the truck for the calls i go.LOL
 
Like Montana Hunter said, if you are willing to set some limitations for it's use, it will work. If it's all you got, use it. Better than sitting on the couch I guess.

I would definitely be saving up for a more adequate rifle though. I prefer a centerfire for coyotes myself. But if the area you hunt is thick and the coyotes are going to be in close most of the time, a well placed shot with the 22 mag will do the job. Pin point accuracy is going to be important.

Not what I would choose given a choice though. Especially if I was just starting out. A .223 or some other centerfire would be much better in my opinion.

Good hunting.
 
RSobkowz Welcome to the board /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I also agree with Montana Hunter and Curt you would be limited to a 22mag. If you ever did have the oppertunity to get a shot past 100yards you would be kicking your self in the butt that you didnt have a better caliber for longer distances. If it were me I would go with a .223, 22-250 or something in that range. Good luck
 
The 22 Magnum is a great little gun. I use it for predators where I am compelled to, by law. We have several counties around here that only allow rimfire rifles for anything except groundhogs.They are a great wooded area gray fox gun.

BUT! Hunting coyotes with it will provide you with a large degree of dissappointment. Course, there are stories of how it has performed on coyotes but in the long run, the coyote wins against this caliber. These success stories are usually unique situations, not a common occurrence. If I "had" to use it, I would limit my shots to under 50-60 yards and strike for the head and neck. I know someone is gonna say "I killed one at 100yds", that would have to be luck, cause the 22 Mag is running out of gas for a tough critter like a coyote at 100yds. Good luck in whatever you decide.
 
I use the 22mag. here in Michigan at night. Since we are required and only allowed to shoot a rimfire or shotguns at night. But then again I keep my limits to around 50yrds. I think as tough as the coyote is, anything further then that is calling for trouble. And as long as you go for a head shot you should be fine. Now in the daytime I use the 22-250 on the yotes. Then they can kiss their a$$ good-bye
 
Guys, thanks for the replies, much appreciated. As for the Mag, I'm mixed emotions now on it, LOL. Guess if nothing else I have an excuse for a 223 or 22-250 still, LOL. I don't know what to think about my situation. I guess well I save some cash for a bigger rifle then it will do fine. Like was said, beats sitting on the couch. I'm a rookie at this, so I may as well practice calling, and if one shows up, at least have a chance.
 
BTW, reason I asked is because I got a shweet deal on a 22 mag yesterday, Marlin 883SS in basically new shape for 170 out the door. Didn't need it, didn't PLAN on it being my 'yote gun, but it was a bargain, I bought it, and figured why not see if it's be worth using while I get my feet wet at this.
 
I have used a 22 Mag on yotes but I don't like to.I would stick with a 12 Gauge or a Center Fire cartridge.BTW that was not that great of a deal on the Marlin.For around that price you can get a new one at Walmart.Best of luck
 
Originally posted by yotecaller:
[qb]I have used a 22 Mag on yotes but I don't like to.I would stick with a 12 Gauge or a Center Fire cartridge.BTW that was not that great of a deal on the Marlin.For around that price you can get a new one at Walmart.Best of luck[/qb]
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New one at Wally World for the same price? This is the stainless barrel with laminate stock. Also had a 3x9 on it, not a GREAT scope, but faily nice. The only ones I've seen at Wal-Mart are the wood stock/blued barrel and they're 169.99. I was actually just there picking up a couple boxes of shells so I HAD to look and see, LOL.
 
The Rifle Basix Trigger is on sale again at Midway.

I highly recommend it for any gun that it fits.

I installed one (myself, easy!) on my 882SSV Marlin and it's great. Now, it's easy to dust golf balls at 80 to 90 yds with it.

Mark
 
just make sure shots are under 50 yards and your aim is dead on...and don't use ballistic tips. I lost one this winter..never again. We are restricted in michigan to use rimfire for night hunting..works for foxes but yotes is hard to kill them quick and clean.
just my thoughts..i know plenty of others will disagree claiming they've made 200 yd kills and kill hundred of coyotes with a 22 mag...just know your gun and ammo.
 
Originally posted by drewMIhunter:
[qb]just make sure shots are under 50 yards and your aim is dead on...and don't use ballistic tips. I lost one this winter..never again. We are restricted in michigan to use rimfire for night hunting..works for foxes but yotes is hard to kill them quick and clean.
just my thoughts..i know plenty of others will disagree claiming they've made 200 yd kills and kill hundred of coyotes with a 22 mag...just know your gun and ammo.[/qb]
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Basically, let me say this....I WILL NOT take a shot that I feel is not a CLEAN ethical kill shot. I hunt turkeys here in PA and get ribbed about the number of shots I pass on, but I feel if I am out to KILL an animal, the LEAST I can do is make sure it is a quick kill and not leaving an animal suffering. Once I get this thing to the range I will have a general idea of what i feel is a solid range for the gun. Truthfully, I wouldn't take a shot over 100 yards, and would probably wait for a closer shot anyway because I generally enjoy watching animals so even if I do NOT take a shot, I am still happy. I will most likely use this gun as a way to get my feet wet. I'll drop in, do my calling, if one shows close enough, fine, if not, I still get practice calling until I get a 22-250.
Thanks for ALL the replies.
-Ron
 
Originally posted by drewMIhunter:
[qb]no offense was meant...just told ya my experience. no worries...good luck hunting!
-Drew[/qb]
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I didn't take offense, never do, just took what you said as advice. I KNOW the gun is not the gun to be trying long shots with, but like I said, I won't take a shot unless I truly feel it's a KILL shot. People said 100, some said 75, others 50, personally, I'd wait for 30-50. Knowing the woods/area I hunt, that's a safe bet for a CLEAR shot.
 
Originally posted by Ground_Grizzly:
[qb]Coulda got a nice used NEF Handi rifle in .223 for under $170.[/qb]
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Most likely the next rifle I buy will likely be a 22-250. I figure that gun has MORE than enough range for hunting coyote around here, as well as annihilating some groundhogs on the one farm I hunt. I have to check into my local laws about night-hunting here in PA. I know it's legal but I need to check on scope lights and whatnot. Nights are usually devoted to striper fishing on my home lake, but there seems to be a run on dirtbags all over the lake, so I may start heading into the woods at night for something else to occupy my time, other than beer, LOL. Night hunting seems like QUITE an experience.
 
Ron, you've got a pretty good grasps on the situation. My area is hilly and forested like yours for the most part; long range shots are hard to come by. Your situation may be one that could use a 22mag.

Most guys shoot long ranges and practice a lot only to have coyote setups that yield 150 yard and shorter shots. 75% of my setups would fall into that catagory yet I carry a 22-250. I've seen coyotes die to a 22mag at 120 yards or so and it worked great.. doesn't mean they could wound one at 30 with poor shot placement.

If you KNOW you are limited to those shots it will work out for you. My luck would be that I limit myself to that short range shooting then get offered the hunt of a lifetime in the plain states! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif My suggestion would be a bigger gun but if you know your limits you can make the 22mag work.

Oh and Griz... you should be able to buy a brand new one for that. I get my guns at wholesale but I'm sure they aren't that high. I paid $132.00 for a 17HMR & .223 about a year ago ($264.00 Total) one bull/one heavey barrell (.223 is stainless)... I paid $145.00 for the NEF 20 Gauge 3" Rifled Barrell (Laminate Stock) shotgun two months ago. I haven't looked in a gun shop lately but they would usually only mark those up about 30-40 bucks for profit. Forgive me if I'm way off on prices... go to gunbroker.com to check it out.
 
I use a .22 mag for rabbits and fox and have shot a couple yotes with it, but it's not my first choice! It all depends on what you like to shoot and are comfortable with! I usually use .243 but if you do choose to use it for yotes keep it inside 75yds and i would use CCI Maxi Mag hollow points! These are great shells for varmints and small predators! They leave a good hole in the side!!! Good luck with whatever you use!
 
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