like GTOHunter said use buck shot on your shotgun for close up shots. if your really wanting to reach out and get a coyote id suggest a 22-250, or .223. those are the most used. alot of pple use .243 and love it. i hav a .308 wich is a little overkill. but if your wanting to save the pelts and sell them id suggest anything smaller that my .308. also if your really wanting to get into coyote hunting ur gonna need a little more than just the gun, like calls, camo, scent killer or cover scent. coyotes have great eye site and even better smell.