22 Mag V-Max results..?

[Shanghai McCoy]

My Marlin 22 mag rifle really likes the Hornady V-Max 30gr round. I shot a 1/4" 3 shot group at 70yds this morning while checking the zero on it which made me pretty happy.
So, since my buddy wants us to go coyote hunting next week I'm wondering if anyone here has any first, or even second, hand results using that round on coyote or other similar sized game?
The rifle also likes the good old Winchester 40gr HP round as well so results from that would be welcome as well.

 

[loose noose]

My Savage FTS .22WMR in bolt action with the SS bull barrel prefers Federal 40 grain Copper Jacketed rounds, under moa at 50 yards. In fact I took a coyote at 125 yards (measuring with a Bushnell range finder) about two or three years ago: However that was just a lucky shot as I held about 3" high just over his right front shoulder and hit him square in the head just above the right eye. He went down trying to bury his head into the ground. like a ton of bricks just hit him. I've got a Bushnell Elite 3X9 scope on my rifle. Generally I don't try shots much over 75 yards, and prefer around 50 yards. I also prefer my .223 for coyotes, much more humane kills btw.

 

[horsey300]

My Marlin 22 mag rifle really likes the Hornady V-Max 30gr round. I shot a 1/4" 3 shot group at 70yds this morning while checking the zero on it which made me pretty happy.
So, since my buddy wants us to go coyote hunting next week I'm wondering if anyone here has any first, or even second, hand results using that round on coyote or other similar sized game?
The rifle also likes the good old Winchester 40gr HP round as well so results from that would be welcome as well.

I used to run 22 lr and wm on yotes, the vmax I'm unfamiliar with on this cartridge specifically, but based on other rifles, I'll say this, treat it like a varmint hollowpoint and you'll be fine. I used the Winchester40s extensively and they'll work in the same aspect, using rimfires never disappointed me for quick clean kills, just avoid the heavy bones. Hit the spine, rib shoot the lungs, or take the head shot and you'll be just fine, I once put a 36 gr HP out of a .22 lr through the neck at 30 yds and dropped her like a .22-250 but with less hide damage. Grandpa's go to yote gun was a lever Marlin in .22 Mag and he took LOADS of dogs. He always warned me to stay under 200 cuz of the scope on it, and I've had no problems following his advice. I like the options and variety my .223 gives me, but for close range coyotes, that .22 Mag will be just fine. 20 years after grandpa handed me that rifle, it still dusts them on a whim. It also makes a nice match for the revolver

 

[herkyguy]

My Savage 93 in 22WMR is not a fan of 30 grain bullets - 3"+ groups at 100 yards, and with the price of WMR, it took me a while to track down heavier rounds. I now have a brick of 40 grainers from ARMSCOR that I'll hopefully give a whirl soon.

On a totally unrelated note, the 30 grainers are super accurate out of my Ruger Single Six and a ton of fun to shoot with a big orange glow with each time.

 

[eastbank]

my marlin 882L loves the CCI max-mags, but it was not quite up to the job of hunting P-dogs in the wind of wyoming, when the wind quit blowing for a few minutes it was alright to 125 yards. eastbank.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Thanks for the input Gents. I was planning on keeping my range limit at 100 yards so it sounds like either load should do the job.
Think I'll go with the V-Max loads next week and see if I can get some first hand "data"..?

 

[horsey300]

Thanks for the input Gents. I was planning on keeping my range limit at 100 yards so it sounds like either load should do the job.
Think I'll go with the V-Max loads next week and see if I can get some first hand "data"..?

They'll probably help in the wind a bit, but honestly, between the two you won't notice much difference as far as ballistics go. If they both shoot same poi, why not take both and you can test both if the opportunities arise lol just like more excuses to test ammo .

 

[double bogey]

I feel the .22 mag is too light for yotes. Every one I have shot didn't go down fast enough. However the 30 gr. hornady load shoots lights out in my marlin. Maybe I will try it someday.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I feel the .22 mag is too light for yotes. Every one I have shot didn't go down fast enough. However the 30 gr. hornady load shoots lights out in my marlin. Maybe I will try it someday.

I appreciate the input and yes it's probably the minimum caliber for coyotes, especially the big ones that show up now and then.
Good idea on trying out both loads. If the opportunity happens I'll give it a try...

 

[witchhunter]

I have quite a bit of 22 mag Winchester HP experience. I have used that round since 1979 when I found a table full discounted at a local gun shop. I walked in and saw the sign $2.99 a box and went in serious debt. There was a guy looking at buying 8 or 10 boxes, I told him to get what he wanted cause i was buying all of the rest. He laughed, but I bought all they had. i think it was like $2500.00! I am a huge fan of the 22 magnum over a 22LR for almost any hunting scenario. It is not a great coyote round, but a good hit out to 100 and they are toast usually. Lung shots are best, in my opinion. But they are perfect for fox and bobcat.

 

[kanook]

My wife and I were doing some critter control on a friends farm. We were using our Savage 93's with the Vmax. The Armadillo's would pop open at 70yds with no problem. It's not a Coyote but it is real world shooting.

Would I use it on a Coyote? Under 100yds, Yes. Anything over 100yds I would look for something a little harder/less explosive.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
Thanks for "real world' report kanook.
No armadillos here in my area of Kansas yet but they are creeping northwards.

 

[horsey300]

My wife and I were doing some critter control on a friends farm. We were using our Savage 93's with the Vmax. The Armadillo's would pop open at 70yds with no problem. It's not a Coyote but it is real world shooting.

Would I use it on a Coyote? Under 100yds, Yes. Anything over 100yds I would look for something a little harder/less explosive.

At longer distances, by nature of the bullets themselves, the bullet itself will become less explosive all on its own, this is why the HP/btip/vmax/sst lines exist, a plain cup and core should still expand to lower velocities, but a tipped hollowpoint WILL expand at lower velocities (longer distance) when you fear your standard bullets might only pinhole. For this reason, the vmax provides better wound cavities at longer distances, all that changes is that they expand more slowly. If I were worried about a vmax failing, it would be at close range where the velocity would be more likely to shatter the jacket on impact.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
More very good information to know. Thank you.
I'm not a varmint hunter guy so my experience with these "varmint" type bullets, beyond the accuracy of them in my rifle, is non-existent. But, perhaps that will change this week..?

 

[horsey300]

^^^
More very good information to know. Thank you.
I'm not a varmint hunter guy so my experience with these "varmint" type bullets, beyond the accuracy of them in my rifle, is non-existent. But, perhaps that will change this week..?

Yup that's why I recommend not trying the scapula, you'll down em but not necessarily kill em, my brother's .17 hmr with vmax did the job quite nicely several times a couple years ago, watch a video of prairie dogs or rabbits popping with rimfire varmint loads, that nasty exit is what the inside of the coyotes chest should look like, the exit hole itself in inches of penetration is right where the vitals live on a coyote.

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

I have a good bit of experience with .22 WMR.
That having been said, minute of coyote (even a small one) is
6 inches, you don't need 1/4 inch, 70 yards
groups. Also what if you come across a very large coyote will you have adequate knock down power? compromise in the "groups" department, and look for something with follow through, 40 gr super-x would be a good choice as would any other 40 gr and up non FMJ ammo sans the Winchester dyna point ( caps withheld intentionally)
Folks may disagree but, for coyote sized animals I choose Hornady .45 gr Critical defense, next, Winchester .40 gr JHP.
third, I would chose CCI .40gr JHP
I know that Speer and others are touted as something special, but there is nothing special about unobtainum.
STW

 

[Sniper66]

My Marlin 22 mag rifle really likes the Hornady V-Max 30gr round. I shot a 1/4" 3 shot group at 70yds this morning while checking the zero on it which made me pretty happy.
So, since my buddy wants us to go coyote hunting next week I'm wondering if anyone here has any first, or even second, hand results using that round on coyote or other similar sized game?
The rifle also likes the good old Winchester 40gr HP round as well so results from that would be welcome as well.

The round is adequate in certain circumstances, but most coyote hunters use centerfire rifles. My bro-n-law shot a coyote in the chest with his 22 Mag at about 100 yards. It dropped dead on the spot. I shot one with a .204 in the shoulder at about 75 yards. He went down hard, then disappeared into some high grass. Never saw him again....ya just never know.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

Around here, the wind has been known to blow. That means any .22 rimfire, or especially a sub-caliber, is a poor choice for coyotes. My back-up coyote gun is a .223, the primary is a .243 caliber using the 75 grain V-Max. Let me put it this way: There's times when you call, they'll come in from 'bout 20 miles away - downwind. Now where's the tongue-in-cheek emoticon!? Why is there never the right emoticon when I need it?

900F

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Well the only coyote that we saw today was heading away at a steady lope around 200+ yards off. my buddy tried to get it with his 223 but missed. Thanks for all the info Gents.