.22 mag

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green_MTman

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does anyone know .22 winchester magnum rimfire's range on coyote?

would it kill coyote @ 50 yards ?

would it be more or less effective than # 4 buck from a 12 ga ?
 
Yes it will kill a coyote at 50 yards, but unless you make a head shot it is likely to run after you shoot it. They can be surprisingly tough and make it quite a ways with bullet in it. Shotguns can be quite effective when multiple hits are achieved.
 
I've been shooting quite a few different 22mag firearms over the last forty years. I currently own revolvers and rifles in this caliber. I hunt woodchucks extensively with this cartridge in addition to my centerfire firearms. Here's my take on this subject after extensive use on small and medium sized game....it depends on the bullet used. If you use the 50g bullets on woodchucks you'll get about 50% down the hole after being shot. If you use 40g HP bullets you'll get about 10% down the hole. If you use 30g HP hyper velocity, you'll do about the same as the 40g but they generally don't shoot as well out of any gun I've tried them in. If you use the 40g HP you're going to have quite a few run off unless you hit them in the head. Coyotes are tough. I shot one with my 45-70 last deer season and it ran a couple hundred yards after being body shot with a 405g JSP bullet. It hit behind the lungs as it was running when I shot. I had snow so I could track it and I was surprised at how far it ran. I'd go with the 40g and try for either the head if standing still (which they never seem to do) or the lungs.
 
maybe i need a .22 Hornet then.shot placement is tough in the dark because vermont wont allow lights.

my hesatation about a .223 or 22-250 would be that i would like 1 gun for coyote and bobcat.the 22-250 might shred a bobcat to bits.

a laser night scope on a .22 magnum would be good but i would have to look into its legality in vermont
 
my hesatation about a .223 or 22-250 would be that i would like 1 gun for coyote and bobcat.the 22-250 might shred a bobcat to bits.
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With the proper bullet that cannot happen

I'd get a 223 for the Coyotes, unless you already have the 22-250
 
.223 or .243 for distant shots. If your up close and they are running stick to a shotgun. If you have to use a rimfire then why not a .17HMR. Its easy to find 17 around here but .22WMR is impossible to get. The 17 should be good out to 75yds for a quick clean kill.

I have seen ONE box of .22WMR on the shelf in the last 6 months of the three LGS I frequent and I paid $25 for it. .17HMR is everywhere and cheap.
 
A 22 mag is defiantly good for 50 yards even 100 yards.

A 12 gauge shotgun is better for closer range but 22 mag has a better range.
 
Back to the basic question:
does anyone know .22 winchester magnum rimfire's range on coyote?

would it kill coyote @ 50 yards ?
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This is HIGHLY dependent upon the load(s) in question.

For example: The .22 WMR 45 gr Dynapoint load performs vastly differently than the 34 gr HP "Supreme" load offered by the same company (Winchester-Olin).
And, the Speer 50 gr FMJ offering will be notably different than their 30 gr TNT HP.

.22 WMR ammo uses bullets ranging from 25 gr to 50 gr (a bit more with some boutique loads).
And, velocities range from 1,250 fps all the way up to 2,300 fps.

With disparities that large, performance is all over the map. At the extreme ends, it's almost like comparing two completely different cartridges. ....Or, in some cases, roughly like comparing .22 Hornet to .22 LR.
 
I would not hesitate to shoot a coyote (or comparable critter) at 50 yards with the. 22 WMR, but if I was expecting shooting opportunities consistently closer to 100 yards, I agree with reaching for the. 223 or. 243 solution.

But this thread is informative. I have quite an investment in the Winchester. 34 gr hollowpoint; sounds like I should diversify.
 
I agree with what has already been said but I think I would just get a 223 and be done with it. I think it will cover most bases here.
 
I agree with what has already been said but I think I would just get a 223 and be done with it. I think it will cover most bases here.
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I agree. You can use a .223 close range for coyotes and super far ranges unlike the 22 mag. Unless you want to target shoot with it and want cheaper ammo I would get the 223
 
I used to carry a 22 mag while running coyotes with hounds(some of the dogs were quite gun shy and would quit the track anytime a center fire rifle lit off). The ammo in the late 70's was not nearly as effective as today's ammo so mostly all I got was cripples that the dogs ran down and bayed.
Under 125-150 yards, the 22 mag will fatally injure coyotes but possibly not kill them nearly as quick as one might expect(and definitely not as effectively as a .223).
I don't have much experience with the current high-tech shotgun ammo but results from 12 gauge 3" BB/2/4 loads of 30 years ago were dismal. The only coyotes I've killed were during turkey hunts and were under 20-25 yards-anything further was wasted ammo.
 
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why does everybody skip from .22 WMR to .223 or .22-250 or .243

i think the .22 hornet makes a great fur gun,easier on pelts than .223 or 22-250 unless your talking 250 yards.in new england coyotes stay in deep cover
 
"i think the .22 hornet makes a great fur gun"
In my experience, the accuracy of the Hornets was somewhat(well mostly) "iffy". The current crop might be more consistent but back in the 1970-1980 period, finding an accurate 22 Hornet was an expensive trial and error(mostly error) process. One older guy brought me rifle after rifle(not cheap ones either) in an attempt to find a suitably accurate 22 Hornet back in the late 70's. I shot quite a bit of expensive Hornet ammo through those rifles and the old man finally gave up and bought a .223.
 
why does everybody skip from .22 WMR to .223 or .22-250 or .243
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Most people forget about the Hornet, since it isn't really main-stream, or popular in any way.

It's a niche cartridge that isn't "cool" or new in any way. ...But stays alive because the people that have them absolutely love the cartridge.


Good cartridge.
I'd own one if I didn't have a good .22 WMR.
Maybe, one day, after I "dispose" of my stockpile of .22 WMR ammo, I'll sell the rifle and upgrade to .22 Hornet.
But, then again... I'd have to start chasing brass; whereas I don't have to worry about it with the .22 WMR.
:confused:;)
 
i would be nervous about a headshot in the dark unless you had a laser scope.and people seem to think .22 WMR requires a headshot.

in the east you will never see a coyote during the day or in open country.22 hornet is a good gun around here,although i have only ever seen 1 hornet shell at rifle ranges.ive also only seen 1 22-250 shell too,many many .223's though.maybe #4 buck is still my best choice
 
Everything I have read or heard says that. 22 Hornet is an outstanding cartridge. I tried in earnest to buy one 20 years ago, here in gun-friendly and well-supplied Phoenix Arizona. Could not find one at any price to save my life. And with all the hyper-attention being paid to ammo nowadays, I can say I still have not seen a box on the shelf lately.

Not knockin' it, just sayin'.....
 
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