22 WMR for coyotes

[vincyr]

Hi all. I am wondering what the you all feel the best .22 wmr loads for eastern coyotes (out to 100yds max)would be. Before anyone starts saying that .22 wmr isn't enough for 'yotes, particularly easterns, I will add that here in NY our regs limit us to rimfire at night during open deer season(first 3 months or so of coyote season). So my .22 wmr is what I have to use if I want to hunt coyotes then. My current inventory of .22 wmr includes 40 grain Win HPs, Rem 40 grain JSPs, 30 grain CCI HP+V, and 30 grain Hornady V-max. But wmr is slowly but surely coming back into the stores around here, so if I should look for something else I might just be able to find it by Oct. My rifle seems to like most ammo, shooting moa or just under with everything I have fed it so far(all about the same POA too, just about 6" higher with the faster stuff. It's kinda nice not having to fiddle with the scope every time I change ammo, like every other gun I own), so I am confident in my ability to place the shots where they need to go.

 

[witchhunter]

My 9422M likes the Winchester 40 JHP's. I have killed a gang of critters with em. To 100 yards, they are fine for coyotes if you hit em good.

 

[easy]

Coyote season. Weird. In CA and OK it's 365.

 

[loose noose]

Same here in Nevada, the season on Coyotes is all year long, however there pelts are best in the winter, btw I've shot quite a few with a .22wmr out of a Savage 93FVSS. The longest shot was slightly over 150 yards according to my range finder, shooting Federal 40grn solids. Aimed for the left front shoulder and ended up hitting him right behind the left ear. He went down like a ton of caca. Still don't know how I was so far off. Later re-zeroed my scope and all was good.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

No season in Kansas either. Pelts are better in the winter but not worth much over the past years though. A 22 Mag is a good choice, the Hornady bullets shoot well in my Marlin and the V Max bullets seem to do the job.

 

[vincyr]

Coyote season. Weird. In CA and OK it's 365.

Yeah, in NY the season is technically oct through march but DEC pretty much looks the other way if people shoot them out of season. They are a pretty big nuicance in some areas.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

40 grain solids and good bye yotes.

 

[bbassi]

you should take another look at the regs. they changed the regs to allow centerfire less than 22 cal for predators throughout the season. It was the perfect excuse to buy a 17 Remington last year.

If you are stuck with the 22mag for this year check out the Speer gold dot load for short barreled handguns. I killed a couple with them 2 years ago and was pretty impressed.

 

[Scot43]

It is not my intestine to burst anyone's bubble. I've used minimalistic calibers to kill a few coyotes over my 35+ years of hunting coyotes. But, with years of field experience, the smallest caliber rifle I would use would probably be the 221 Fireball with Nosler BT's at 3000 fps +. Its a humane, quick kill I prefer and I've seen too many coyotes hit an run off to die an agonizing death by being shot with 22's, hornets and the like. I say that because one can never predict a coyote hunting scenario and it would be tempting to take a shot at a coyote that wouldn't be prudent with a small caliber firearm. IMO, why select a rifle that's marginal for the purpose intended. Most veteran, hard-care hunters would choose a 223 or 22-250. If I was only limited to one rifle for coyote hunting it would be the 22-250. Its the perfect all around coyote hunting rifle IMO. I say that from years of field experience.

 

[samort457]

IMO, why select a rifle that's marginal for the purpose intended.

I get using enough gun but the OP already said that this was one of the few, and better, options that he has. And the .22 WMR far from marginal keep the shots close.

 

[Scot43]

So, what you're saying is because you are using a 22 WMR the coyotes know that so they will be sure to come in close so they can die well? Hmmmm…I've never been able to orchestrate how and where a coyote will respond from. The point I was trying to make is to choose a rifle that one is confident will be up to the task under most hunting conditions. I have a wonderful little Cooper 218 Mashburn Bee…but I wouldn't take it wolf hunting in Manitoba. But as a small caliber varmint rifle to 250 yds, it shines.

 

[Jlr2267]

So, what you're saying is because you are using a 22 WMR the coyotes know that so they will be sure to come in close so they can die well? Hmmmm…I've never been able to orchestrate how and where a coyote will respond from. The point I was trying to make is to choose a rifle that one is confident will be up to the task under most hunting conditions. I have a wonderful little Cooper 218 Mashburn Bee…but I wouldn't take it wolf hunting in Manitoba. But as a small caliber varmint rifle to 250 yds, it shines.

Believe the OP said 100 yds, max

 

[vincyr]

Believe the OP said 100 yds, max

Under 100 yards, called in at night. And I am patient enough to wait for a good shot and would pass on an iffy one.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You can kill coyotes with a shotgun, just like turkeys -- but a rifle gives you a better option most of the time.

Here in Arkansas, I like my .22 Hornet, which just matches Scott43's .221 Fireball when loaded with a case full of Li'l Gun and a 35-grain V-Max.