Coyote hunting with a .22LR?

There's a lot of Romanian "trainer" bolt actions at the shows for between $50-$70. I've heard there are some feeding problems with some of them, but the one I shot was fine and just as or more accurate than my Marlin. Plus it's got little "color" in it's history.

Walmart guns bad, covered in cosmiline and 40+ years old goood... just my opinion

Blue Duck
 
I know how to hunt Coyotes.

I have a father who is an avid and very proficient predator caller. We went out last Sunday and I was able to get 4 coyotes with one getting away. I was using my new Rem 700 Vs in .308 with Speer 125 gr. TNT HP. Let me tell you, even using the 125's, the first coyote I shot at about 200-250 yards out and he by no means died instantly. When I found him over the hill, he was about 15 yards from where I shot him, still alive with a very large hole in his side. The next shot was enough. Still, with that big explosive bullet, that coyote still didn't go down. Later in the day I one shot, one killed the next two with the .308. Interestingly, my next shot was on a coyote facing me. The bullet entered in his chest and there was no exit wound! His insides must have been complete mush! The next coyote died right away too from a near front on shot, but from I was shooting from above him. It opened up his entire belly and spilt his guts out everywhere. That .308 will take the coyotes down if you hit them right. And if you don't hit them right, they still go down, but not out unfortunately. The last coyote went down from a 12 gauge at about 15 yards using I believe a mix of some T buck and #4's. Quite the lethal coyote mix. Slugs for coyotes? Why not just use a rifle?

And so, if you plan on using a .22 rimfire for shooting coyotes, plan on doing a lot of searching for the coyote. My dad used to shoot his trapped coyotes in the head with a .22 short, but that was at a range of about 2 yards and with careful aim.

Chang, get a 10/22 for just the joy of shooting. Then build up as you get more experience. But if you are just going to be shooting at coyotes that you just happen to see running around, you will need a scoped rifle of a decent varminting caliber. Otherwise, you are just educating the coyotes.

And finally, I have shot a coyote once with my M1 Carbine. It was a quick drive by shooting on a farm road, so I was limited to my FMJ. It stopped him, but I had to go out and finish him off. If you use the M1 Carbine, make sure you get some HP or soft points and make sure it is within at least 100 yards. Otherwise don't waste your ammo.
 
I believe you should get the 22 first, since you probably haven't shot much. If you start with a shotgun you are may develop habits that will prevent you from ever becomming a good rifle shot in the future.You may develope a flinch,Poor trigger control etc.Also since you haven't got much money you can shoot so much more with the 22.On top of that, I know I have been known for promoting the use of bigger guns that nessary for big game hunting on different message boards.I don't have much use for the small calibers on deer or anything else, but all the same I have killed several coyotes with the 22 rimfire always at close range.I once shot 3 running together at close range in the woods and got all 3 I was using a 10/22 with a 4 power scope.So It can be done.It is not the best choice for sure but neither is a shot gun for the beginner before he has mastered the 22rimfire.Just my opinion take it for what it is worth.Nevada
 
Damn... I might just get both the Ruger and the shotgun. My mom will probably help me pay for the shotgun. Thanks for all the responses.
 
Oh Chang, turn not to the dark side. Clean guns in perfect working order with warranties are not the nature of firearms. I'm telling you 50 year old guns covered in grit,hardned grease, and unknown substances are the way to true firearms enlightenment. Consider the Romanian trainer, but good luck with whatever you choose.

Blue Duck
 
I'll agree with Blue Duck on the Romanian trainer, Chang. Except that the first thing I would do is disassemble and clean it until it was certifiably sanitary, and I would pay special attention to the bedding.

Blue Duck, I'm sure we agree totally on the really important stuff. I guess we just never talk about the really important stuff here...it's taken for granted I suppose. You know, Second Amendment and the like. :)

Bolt action rifles are the way to go, even in rimfires. There are accurate autoloaders, but they are NOT cheap! I have seen these Romanian .22 rimfire rifles in Shotgun News for C-H-E-A-P!
 
Blue Duck, I think you and I think along the same lines. I love the smell of cosmoline in the morning.

OK, I'm back. Just had to pause for a sniff of Sweet's 762 to get the sinuses cleared out...

Chang - if you are seduced by the dark side, I find that Dow Bathroom Cleaner ("Scrubbing Bubbles") cleans the cosmoline and assorted nastiness as well as anything, and it does all the work for you. Gasoline works well on the metal parts, but no smoking while conducting that operation(!). Besides, [as Ma Bruegger always said] smoking will stunt your growth.
 
Hey River, glad there's no hard feelings on our little debate earlier, your right. NRA/GOA and yeah cleaning em up IS THE FUN PART! (my gal disagree's with this)

Best Wishes, Blue Duck
 
My advice would be to get the .22 and some targets and leave the coyotes alone unless you have a *real* reason to shoot them. We have lots of them around my place and they don't bother me, my dogs or the neighbors chickens. The dogs probably keep them away. They do actually keep the field mice in check. Whoever posted that the Western Coyotes only get to 30 lbs. hasn't been to E. Washington. The ones around here are quite large - very healthy. They are actually pretty neat animals in my opinion. I don't hunt anything that I don't eat. Just my rule.
 
Please, no gasoline to clean your cosmoline off. Use safety solvent/Stoddard solvent instead and supplement it with a spray can of carb cleaner.

My wife used to work in the burn unit. You DON'T want to meet those people. They're very nice, but they must do mean things to your skin!

Whatever you use (I also vote for the Romanian trainer), wear rubber gloves. If you use gas anyway, at least stay outdoors and away from gas-fired water heaters, static electricity sources, and recently-driven cars (catalytic converters can spark flammable vapors).
 
I agree with Cheapo, Absolutely no gasoline, a single spark will end your life as you know it! If you have to use a solvent, use diesel fuel (kerosene), or mineral spirits. If something does go wrong and it ignites, diesel will light slowly, whereas gasoline explodes. You can actually (don't try this at home) throw a lit cigarette into diesel and it won't go off, but if you try it with gasoline it will most likely blow up. Besides the gasoline smell sticks around a long time.
 
Makarov, talking about coyotes and dogs. A coyote ate my dog when I was about 9 years old. I think I'm going to get something a little bigger than .22. I keep changing my mind, first a shotgun then a Mini-14. Can't make up my mind. My dad is going to be buying the rifle or shotgun for me. I've got $150, and he's got $300 extra to buy a gun with for Christmas.
 
I'm telling you...

...you will have much more fun with an SKS and a couple thousand rounds of ammo than a much more expensive mini-14 with 5 round magazines and more expensive ammo. It's got history. It's unique. It's just plain fun. But that's ok, I don't know anything. lol
 
Let us compare calibers shall we?

7.62x39 - 125 grain bullet at 2400 fps for 1600 ft/lbs energy.

(5.56 nato).223 - 55 grain bullet at 3300 fps for 1330 ft/lbs energy.

So the 7.62x39 gives you a bullet that is close to 2.5 bigger, thus more penetration, but you still get roughly 250 ft/lbs of energy MORE than the .223 varmint round. Cost of the 7.62x39 cannot be beaten either. You cannot reload for as cheap as ammo is.
 
Comrade, go get yourself a good little .22 and then buy a shotgun. Since you can get two guns that would be the route
I would suggest. You can go after anything from fowl to deer with it. The .22 would be like a Benchmade 910, good for everyday stuff. The shotgun is a big fix blade, it can do most anything you want.:D
 
Choosing

Don't limit yourself to what Wal-Mart sells. Do you find History interesting? If so, consider the many military surplus rifles around, like the one in my user name. Built in 1944 in Canada. Probably visited France and Germany in 1944-45. All of the old military rifles will take a Coyote and they average a whopping $100. You will probably never see one of these in Wal-Mart but we can tell you where to find them.
like here.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/crrifles/index.html
 
Get the 22lr bolt-action first !

That way you will be able to afford lots of practice ammo while you gain experience and will be able to save for the shotgun and/or centerfire rifle. In addition to the trainers, old Winchester single-shots like the models 66 (with rear peep sight) or 67 can be had in the $75-100 range. Ask around and you might even find a loaner (from some old geezer in their 40's) to learn with for free.

The coyotes will wait until you can afford the centerfire, and you can practice calls and stalks in the meantime.

Haven't had a need to try this yet, but I've been told cosmolined parts can be easily cleaned in a dishwasher on the pots-and-pans cycle. Just don't get caught.

-ric
 
Hey Chang, I am a year younger than you and have a reccomendation for you.
Save up about 280 bucks, and get yourself a Winchester Model 94 in 30.30, this will take down coyotes like a charm.

now if you want to put a scope on it then go for a marlin because they are easyer to put the scope on IMO.

30.30 is a great round, and will take down coyotes well, and possibly deer. never done a deer with one myself but my dad has i know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top