whats the smallest calliber you can use for predators?

[hoosierbuckslayer]

I cant really aford a new rifle but i have a marlin .22lr with 15+1 tube magazine. i was wonderin if i could use it or jus save up t get a barrell for my t/c.

[ilyotehunter]

save up 4 a different barrel

[the_sandman_454]

Do you have a particular predator in mind? I would think fox sized stuff you should be alright with the .22 at a reasonably closedistance with good shot placement. Bigger things or longer distances and you'll want something with more punch than .22LR.

[OKIEBOWHNTR]

Shots at close range a 22 will do the job, shot placement is the key but you really need a larger caliber!

[North Texan]

If you are planning on hunting coyotes, one of the centerfire .22 caliber rifles is your best option. With a .22 rimfire, you'll wind up educating more coyotes than you shoot because you will have to be very selective about which shots you take.

[RallySoob]

22lr will work believe it or not. I have taken a yote with subsonic .22lr before. ittook 5 rounds and I barely got penatration on 2 of them but it finaly went down. I recomend a 22 mag because it is still cheap to shoot and it has plenty of power to kill any varmit. I love my 22mag

[Lanse couche couche]

The last coyote i killed was with a little league baseball bat, but i wouldn't recommend it. I would probably use a full choke 12 gauge with #4 buckshot before i would use a .22. But, if you are a damn good shot and the .22 is all you have, then.....

[coyote#68]

I would go with a centerfire .204,.223,.220,.22-250 or something like that,I use a .223 myself but that is what fits my hunting and the terrain here in ky.I have killed a coyote with a 22lr,but I was squirrel hunting when the chance came up and I took it,but that was an unalarmed animal walking and milling around at 35 to 40 yards that didnt see or smell me sittng by that tree and I shot him in the neck and killed him,when calling in coyotes they sometimes do very unpredictable things and usually rush in or hold up and observe the situation leading to a quick close shot at a moving target or a long range shot well beyond rimfire range.So do yourself and the animals a favor and be prepared for the hunt with enough gun to kill them cleanly.They could be killed with a sling shot and a ball bearing but I'd rather have a good varmint rifle in my hands,and t/c makes several barrels in good varmint calibers from the .17 remington on up!{not to be confused with the 17hmr or machII rimfires,the 17 remington has been around for decades}

[oldsmellhound]

It would be better to step it up in power a bit, but if a .22 lr is all you have, you can still use it. Larger predators like coyotes especially, you're going to want to use high velocity hollow point ammo and only go for head shots.If you're a good enough shot, head shots with a .22 will kill some pretty large animals. Smaller predators you can probably take chest shots at close range. With the .22 though, your range is going to be limited to 75 yards or so, no matter how good a shot you are. A .22 mag will extend your range past 100 yards. .17 HMR will extend your range even further (for head shots) and with a .223 and up, you're really in business.

[IndyHunter83]

I like the my trusty old 22 mag or my 357 mag lever action for coyotes, but then again I just trade off for a ruger 77 in 270 win so that will also get a good work out on the yotes. I'm not trying to save the hides, I'm just trying to kill em. I've used both the .17 rem and .17 hmr. Between the two I like the .17 rem better just because its alittle hotter. 243 win is a good bet for yotes, also have used one of those for em.The trusty ole 12 with00 Buck is afavorite of mine for yotes as well.As far as whether you should buy a new rifle or barrel for them really depends on you. I'm assuming your tc is an encore or prohunter and judging by your screen name I'll assume that you're a fellowindiana resident. Based on those twoqualities my recommendation is tolook for a new barrel for your TC in a cartridge that you can use for deer in this state. 44 mag and 500 smith and wesson seem to be favorites around heresince the new law passed but I went with the 357 becauseammo is cheaper plus for smaller game you go down to a 38 special.