Is it too small? Your not really giving us any information on distance of shot or any of that good stuff. I've killed many a coyote out to about 60 yards with a 22 mag. For me it packs more than the band wagon cartridge 17 hmr. My advice is if it is a choice between using the 22 mag and a 223 and the shots are on average 50-60 yds then a 22 mag is the way to go simply because of the money you'll save on ammo. If you're talkin on average of 150+ yds then i'd go for the 223. In coyotes I personally love my 357 mag rifle but I also wound up killing one yesterday with a 22 at 35 yards 1 to the head and 4 to the body. Point being average shot range will tell more on how to advize you