Best Coyote Round For Under 100 Yards?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Do you want something solely for this purpose?

I'd go for a 223 and a 2-7 or 3-9 scope, but if you would like a rifle that would have a wider range of uses then it would change what would be best.

Anywhere from a 22mag to a 243 or larger would do this intended task.
 
My vote would be .223. If you don't already have one, there's your excuse. They are a fun, and cheaper round to shoot. If you reload, even better.
 
I have a Weatherby Mark 5 Predator Master and with Hornady V-Max 55gr it's a deadly and accurate combo but if the winds blowing and the shot is over 150yds I reach for the Sako 22-250 SS Varmint shooting 55gr Hornady V-Max. With all that pasture it sounds like you will have the oportunity to take some long shots so the 22-250 or the 243 would be better IMO.;)
 
30-30 or maybe some pistol caliber carbine in .357mag? marlin 1894 or a ruger 77/357

I use an old destroyer carbine for racoon hunting up to 100 yards, those lillte rifles are pretty accurate and the 9mm largo cartridge should be powerfull enough to take down a coyote.
 
TommyP,
I can NOT recommend anything rimfire, for coyotes. Coyotes are tough customers and can take a lot of punishment/bullets and not die. At that point all you've done is educate it for the next person. Rest assured, you will not see that coyote again, as it may not leave the area, but will become nocturnal.

A centerfire lever action rifle is good for quick follow-up shots, without having to resort to the more expensive semi-auto actions. Shot placement is MOST important, as there are people that have killed coyotes with rimfire rifles...and it can be done, but there's no room for error. Coyotes are not known for offering the best shot angles.

Depending on your wants/needs, you could purchase a Mosin-Nagant 7.62x54R, for about $160 and some soft pointed ammo, which would certainly get the job done. Then you could use the rifle for other large game hunting.

Good luck with your choices!
Bowhunter57
 
I have a CZ527 in 7.62x39. Great coyote gun, cheap to shoot too.
My neighbor in AZ has a coyote problem once in a while and I'm happy to oblige solving that problem.

If you were looking at longer ranges, I'd suggest a 22-250, but that ammo is not cheap.
 
A .22 Mag, which has the muzzle energy of a .22 LR at 100 yards, is inadequate for a 15 to 46 lb. coyote but a 7.62x54R cartridge and the guns that shoot 'em are about right? How can you write that and expect to be taken seriously!?
 
There is no clear-cut "best" round for coyotes under 100 yards. There's a slew of cartridges that will do the job just fine. Anything more than a .22lr will more than likely cleanly take a coyote at that range with a well placed shot. The "ideal" round IMO would be any center fire cartridge .257 or smaller with a rapid expanding "varmint" bullet lighter than 85 gr or so. But taking coyotes at under 100 yards is not a very hard task, lets not over think this one
 
Last edited:
I can NOT recommend anything rimfire, for coyotes. Coyotes are tough customers and can take a lot of punishment/bullets and not die. At that point all you've done is educate it for the next person. Rest assured, you will not see that coyote again, as it may not leave the area, but will become nocturnal.
Click to expand...

I agree with this all the way, it sure holds true with our coyotes here in Missouri.

While deer hunting one year I shot one with a 280, the bullet entered his chest, blew a exit hole bigger then my fist, stringing his intestines to where he was stepping on them.
He started spinning then took off running, stopped broadside to look at me about 250 yards out, another shot finished the job.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
Whatever caliber you decide, I think a semi-auto would be the best choice. As a matter of fact, for close-in coyotes an AR should really shine!:)

...bug
 
In my expierence yotes aren't that hard to kill. Your circumstances are crying out for an AR-15 in .223. It is a great dog shooter and good all around weapon.
Loads of fun too!
If the budget can't handle an AR I would recommend a good lever action in 30-30 or handgun caliber.
 
I've used .410 with bird shot as a kid (went out thinking it was a raccoon in the trash when it turned out to be a coyote), 22LR, 22 hornet, 223, 270, 30-30...all the way up to a 300wsm.

If you hit them well, they are going down, regardless of caliber.
 
To me, that short range would make a 22 magnum just about ideal with the right bullet choice, meaning a soft point rather than a light (30gr) varmint round. The 223 would be a good choice, also. But seems like overkill for so close up.
 
Virtually anything .17HMR/.22Mag or bigger. The .25-20 and .32-20 make wonderful predator cartridges out to at least 150yds.


I can NOT recommend anything rimfire, for coyotes. Coyotes are tough customers and can take a lot of punishment/bullets and not die.
Click to expand...
I've never hit a coyote with a .17HMR or .22Mag that ran more than 20yds. I do not recommend the 17gr loadings for anything bigger than rodents. The 20gr XTP is a much better penetrator and more consistent killer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top