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Which gun should I use for coyotes?

Old 06-27-2020, 08:54 PM
  #1  
Spike
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Question Which gun should I use for coyotes?

Should I use my CZ 17 hmr With fmj ammo which has no problems with raccoons or anything else ive shot with it. I also have a 357 handi rifle that I can shoot either 357 loads or 38s out of. Or should I just use a 22 and wait for them to get within 100 yds, I shot at a coyote at a little over 150 and it yelped and ran off with no blood. The 17 can easily shoot out to 250 yards or so, the 357/38 can shoot out to about 150 yds, the 22s max is probably aroud 75 yds. The farthest shots i would be taking are about 200 yards.
Any answers would be appreciated, thanks.
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Old 06-28-2020, 04:04 AM
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I think you should limit your shots with the .22 to 50 yards or less, and aim for the head. With the .17, you might stretch out the range to 100 yards, but once again I would limit shots to the head. Both calibers are kinda light for coyotes beyond 50-75 yards. I am talking about the coyotes I hunt here in New England which tend to run bigger and heavier.The .357 will take coyotes cleanly with a shot to the vitals, but your range should be limited to how far you can keep a 2" grouping. 200 yards is way to far for all the cartridges you mention in my opinion, especially if you want a clean kill.
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Old 06-28-2020, 06:38 AM
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I agree with the above, your 22 just looses too much energy as distance happens, so KILLING power on both are not made for longer range work on Coyotes IMO
and even the .357 isn't a real long range coyote caliber, due to well, it just isn;t as flat shooting , even if it has the added bullet weight and energy!
so, making head shots can be tricky pending distance and loads being used!

if you want tio make quick clean kills, limit your distance on shot being taken , pending what rifle your using,
that or step up and get your slf a new rifle with some more longer distance abilities!

even coyote's should be shot with humane intentions for fast clean kills, and not just shot at and wounded!

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Old 06-28-2020, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Tyl3r
Should I use my CZ 17 hmr With fmj ammo which has no problems with raccoons or anything else ive shot with it. I also have a 357 handi rifle that I can shoot either 357 loads or 38s out of. Or should I just use a 22 and wait for them to get within 100 yds, I shot at a coyote at a little over 150 and it yelped and ran off with no blood. The 17 can easily shoot out to 250 yards or so, the 357/38 can shoot out to about 150 yds, the 22s max is probably aroud 75 yds. The farthest shots i would be taking are about 200 yards.
Any answers would be appreciated, thanks.
What everybody else said above but I would add that none of your present calibers are ideal for coyote. A centerfire rifle caliber would be much better. Are you saving the pelts or just thinning the herd?
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Old 06-28-2020, 10:37 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by CalHunter
.....I would add that none of your present calibers are ideal for coyote.
A centerfire rifle caliber would be much better.
Yeah, I think you need another rifle!
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Old 06-28-2020, 11:32 AM
  #6  
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You need a better firearm as all here have said. Shooting at a coyote sized animal at 150 yards with a .22 rim fire is not being responsible, the handi rifle is not much for long distance either as it is a pistol caliber, and the .17 cal is also a rim fire, smaller and lighter projectile then the .22.
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Old 06-28-2020, 04:29 PM
  #7  
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Choosing only from the list provided, the 357mag is far and away the best tool for the job. Far, far and away.

A 223 Rem, 6 creed, or 6.5 Grendel, or the new 6mm ARC would be fantastic options to add to your line-up, and all far and away better options for coyote culling than any you currently have. Far, far and away.
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Old 06-29-2020, 08:48 AM
  #8  
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Yeah, I was thinking 223Rem, too.
But if that's the rifles all you have, got think 243 or a 270 Win would do both coyotes and deer.
LOL - Everyone "needs" a deer rifle!
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Old 06-29-2020, 10:27 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by RaySendero
Yeah, I was thinking 223Rem, too.
But if that's the rifles all you have, got think 243 or a 270 Win would do both coyotes and deer.
LOL - Everyone "needs" a deer rifle!
I was thinking the same thing.
Midway had some good prices on .243 and.270 Corelokt, 20 cents less a round than .222 or .223. A budget Browning rifle/scope combo in .270 is around $550-$600.
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Old 07-01-2020, 06:58 PM
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I'd go with the 357, probably with some 110 or 125 grain jacketed hollow points.
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