Accurate, cheap .22 for coyote protection

[Maverick223]

I've been told that the Nikon is wasted on a Marlin 60, but that's okay. Let em' laugh. I love it.

Whomever told you that is nuts, it may be more than you really need, or more than some folks like to spend on rimfire optics, but if you are like me it is also probably one of your most shot rifles. Spending a little extra on glass for a rifle that you use frequently is by no means a stupid decision, and IMO a lesson others could learn from.

 

[rangerruck]

there is no way, the marlins have any kind of rep for feed probs, you may get a wild one, every once in a while, but usually a bending of the ejector wire, or firing a few boxes of hi speed solids, copper washed, will take care of it, and smooth out everything. other than a Speedmaster, the marlins proly have the rep for, being able to fire with the most amount of crap in it...

 

[A and O]

Marlin 60 gets another thumbs up. I too live in a coyote infested area. Had one almost grab my Westie a few weeks back. It got within 10 ft when it saw me (w/o gun) and took off like crazy.

 

[Avenger29]

10/22. Detachable magazine is the winner. 25 rounds...

You want to test each magazine, of course. And use some good rounds, like Mini-mags. I've had very good luck with the Butler Creek Hotlips and Steel lips, and Tactical Innovations makes some good magazines, too.

Try to pick up a used one at a Pawnshop to keep your costs down.

Might I also suggest a cheap ($100) red dot and a cheap light on a short rail section attached to the foreend?

 

[benzy2]

Marlin is tough to beat for the money. They make accurate rifles on a budget. Only problem I have ever had with mine is the trigger was gritty and had a bunch of creep. Other than that it has shot well, though it is the 917v which is the .17hmr. It has the T900 trigger. I'm not a big fan of that trigger. Savage makes some very accurate rifles as well. You can get the base model for around what you can get a Marlin bolt rifle. If you can find one with the Accutrigger in your price range I would jump on it. Much better trigger and a great shooter, though it is a bolt rifle. The Marlin model 60 is one of the best autoloaders out there, even more so when price comes into play. Out of the box they typically far outshoot a standard Ruger 10/22 and will keep up with many that have a bit of aftermarket work done. The 10/22 does allow for a lot of customization, but thats because the stock rifle leaves a lot to be desired. I have spent a small mint on mine and wish I had gone with a model 60 instead. Still, they are all good guns. The semiauto rifles are going to be a bit picky on some ammo and are going to have failures at a more common rate than the bolt rifles. Its the name of the beast, especially with cheap ammo. Too inconsistent, but still very very usable.

As for pistols, again a bunch of good ones out there. I love my Ruger MkIII. It shoots amazing. It was a little confusing to put together the first time or two, but after that its the same as everything else. The Browning buckmark is another great and accurate pistol. In stock form I probably like the Ruger a little better but the Browning does have removable barrels which is great if you want to swap out to a different length or to something with threads for a suppressor. Either way, great guns. The S&W 22A is a little cheaper, and it shows, but works well. A little rougher overall, but still function and performance was good. The Neos is the oddball. Probably my last pick for semiauto pistols. Not bad, just overall seems to be a step behind the field.

Anyways, the real point is that today, there aren't many bad rimfire options being made. Most bolt rifles shoot amazing. Most semiautos are as reliable as ever, especially with good ammo. Most pistols shoot darn near as well as the rifles, assuming you can shoot that well. Buy what calls to you and enjoy it. The rimfire market is full of great options. as long as you stay to the fairly well known names you can't go wrong here.

 

[CZguy]

I've been told that the Nikon is wasted on a Marlin 60, but that's okay.

Whoever told you that didn't know about the inherent accuracy of the model 60. The Nikon and the 60 are a perfect match.

I have to agree with many others that any shotgun would be your best option in the yard. If you want to clear the area, and actively hunt them, then a .22 mag or .223 bolt gun would be the way to go.

 

[JoeMal]

This will mostly be a 'spur of the moment' gun. I don't see myself camping out in the yard to kill the coyotes when they come out. If I look out the window and happen to see one, I'd like to take advantage....but yeah, I don't see myself camping out or necessarily 'hunting' them per say.

And where I live is somewhat misleading...it is a little rural, but not deep in the country. My house faces a fairly popular highway with regular traffic. My neighbor lives across the street, on my side of the highway. He also has a large shed there where he houses his office headquarters (owns a business). So he has equipment outside that I want to stay away from damaging. So yes, I would say he's 'ft' instead of 'yds'. I could throw a baseball from my front yard to his house, his equipment, and his shed. However, this is my only neighbor, and he's only on 1 side of my property

Neighbor is an older guy...kids are grown with no pets. I suppose I should just talk to him....but I know for a fact that he's not a gun guy...he was wearing a Cabelas hat and I asked him if he was a hunter/fisher and he said, "No, I needed a hat one day and happened to be at a Cabelas, so I bought it". So I don't know if he's necessarily anti-gun, but I know he doesn't actively shoot.

I am really, really leaning towards the Marlin 60...it was the gun that initially called my name. I do like the ability to magazine feed from the 10/22...but that's something I could get over. The 60 is 1in. longer...which isn't much but I'm 6'6" so I need all the length I can get for a comfortable feel. Price is less...which as mentioned, would let me purchase a scope.

 

[nelsonal]

This may sound silly but what about a slingshot? You mentioned bordering a highway, and lots of states have laws about the discharge of firearms within X feet of roads. A good slingshot with heavier pellets would do plenty of damage on a coyote, the range might be a little short, but I'd guess that one could be a reasonable alternative.

I wouldn't start thinking about a .22 unless you had at least 20-30 acres (and honestly I'd prefer 100+) of space around your house.

 

[jmorris]

I don't personally use it much but my marlin 60 cost $65 new at Kmart and has kept many dents and dings off my other .22's.

 

[CZguy]

I agree with nelsonal, a good sling shot would be the way to go where the OP lives.

There would be the additional benefit of carrying it in your back pocket. (like Dennis the menace)

 

[sig220mw]

I agree with Desidog, you need to shoot on sight and as he also said the 22 lr is not really enough. These animals are TOUGH predators and they are brazen.

If you saw one that close there are plenty of them and their food supply is in such shape that they are coming looking for more.

Your pets and farm animals are next. As far as your bull dog putting up a fight, 1 coyote will kill him easily and 2 will rip him into 2 pieces before your very eyes and carry him off in 2 different directions. Believe it, I've seen it.

One at your front door is probably just bait to get your dog into the woods.
Don't let him out alone and get a shot gun for up close.

If you feel like your gun must be a 22 at least make it a magnum.

 

[Seven For Sure]

I've got three Am Bulls currently and breed them. They do have a very playful side to them and I have never met a more loving, loyal breed of dog as a whole. I have bred and owned Dobermans and Rotts also. Anyway, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised what your dog would do. Coyotes smell like crap, nothing like a house dog that eats dog food and lives inside. That alone would most likely put your dog on guard. That said, more than one yote would be a tricky brawl for your friend and I would never suggest you allow your dog to test it's mettle with a wild animal even if he had a massive size advantage. He's your bud, you protect him and he will have your back if worse comes to worse. Be wary also that yote packs will send a female in heat down to town to lure males back out to be worked and devoured by the pack. A dog proof fence from both sides is mandatory. Anyway, great dog you have there, now about killing the yotes....

Have you thought about a 9mm carbine? Since you have a 9mm, a carbine would be great medicine. With 115 +P+ HP's screaming out at around 1,500+ fps, you could count on an explosive hit without a lot of over-penetration. They are'nt as loud (or bright) as a pistol with it's barrel being about four times as long. Hit's up to 100 yards would be cake, no extra ammo to buy and could have 34 rounds on tap with a Sub 2K and a couple Glock 33 rd. mags. for well under $400.

Sounds nasty but a leg or two and an ear from the first one down may keep the rest away for a short time. You'd hang them around waist - shoulder height between your house and yard and where they most likely/often come from. Good luck and have fun.

 

[JoeMal]

I don't know about a slingshot...if something serious were to happen, I'd feel like an idiot out there slinging rocks trying to defend myself.....not sure I could convince the lady that solution is substantial, either

For the breeder....

I think you are right that Roc might pick out the difference...but I'm not sure if it would make a difference. He's small for an Am. Bully and honestly is somewhat of a baby. I think he would defend against an attack but I don't know if he would press an attack if needed.

Just cause there are some fans....





I'm going to head out to Walmart today to see if they have the Marlin. If they do, I'm buying it


*EDIT* So I just left Walmart and they no longer sells guns...well the guy said they do but only at a few Walmarts. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen guns at a Walmart in a while. Oh well. I'm going to call around a few shops and see if they can order one..otherwise there is one going on GB for a good price so I may grab it

 

[JoeMal]

Just went to my local Dicks and they sell the gun for $149, which is cheaper than Walmarts current retail price (If you can even find a store that has one), and cheaper than any price online. Plus buying online you pay shipping and a transfer fee. They are calling their supplier tomorrow to make sure it's in stock, and if so I'm ordering it. If all goes well, I could be plinking rounds next weekend

 

[winchester '97]

Get a marlin 60, or the clip fed version that retails for about 130 bucks, 100 when on sale. Guarentee you it will outshoot any stock 10/22 you run across, You have to seriously work over a Ruger to make it shoot like either Marlin, and spend enough to buy several .22 rifles to make it shoot better than the 60 consistently. Heck, i would take a Remmy 597 over a Ruger, the Ruger is the AK or .22's, the magazines work great and they are reliable, and solid, but about the worst accuracy in their class, and they dont have the AK47 's excuse that the stock irons make deliberate aiming very hard.
Also the only Chiappa i ever shot was not accurate, traded it for a Remington Spartan. If you decide to get one be sure to get the adjustable sights, you'll need them. Quite the coincidence that the only fixed sight Chiappas i ever saw shoot right on were ones sent to gun magazines as test guns.....

 

[JoeMal]

Yes I'm definitely going with the 60. I looked at the 795 which is the clip fed gun but I think I would prefer tube fed...the magazines seem cheap and it's less I have to worry about. Plus at $25/mag it gets pricey

 

[Ratdog68]

Another long gun option to consider

would be a Savage 24F... which has a rifle barrel on the top and a shotgun barrel under, with an O/U configuration (like a shotgun would be). There's a number of configurations available, including a .22LR... and I think they have either .410 (maybe used only) or .20 ga to choose from. And... to get one for your budget... you may have to find one in a pawn shop.

As for a pistol? I REALLY like my two Browning Buckmarks... very accurate little .22s.

Great lookin' pup too !!! Happy critters are a good thing.

 

[oldfool]

whatever else 'yotes are, brave they ain't

9mm might not be best choice for 'yotes unless you are well practiced with one (and your lady is also)
12 gauge might not be best if your "best friend" gets a little too close
both are more than needed at short range

coyote hunting is a different thing, but making them go way does not require all that, especially at range anything like named
they are not going to charge you or your dog if fired upon
22 mag is loud, but not that loud, and will kill 'em (handgun or longer), not just make 'em run way when hit
any 22 rimfire will make 'em leave fast, might (likely will) come back if not hit, will not come back if hit... though not brave, they ain't stupid, won't hang around, lacking 'motivation'... (they are scavengers)
a cheap single action 22 revolver will do
any 22 rifle will do better, unless well practiced with a 22 handgun

cheapest 22 rimfire you can find will do
if not real good on running shots, don't bother, you won't get one anyway
fair argument for shooting once, not dumping a mag
hit or miss, one shot will suffice, mind your backdrop and dog if inclined to shoot more than once
if not a practiced rifle shot, a cheapo red dot on any cheapo 22 rifle makes it pretty hard to miss a yote at 30 yards or less
hit or miss the same yote will never give you the Terminator "I'll be back" look after 1st shot fired

and any cheapo 410 single shot hammer shotgun with a slug will drop 'em as dead as it gets at such modest ranges, pretty much any body hit... fancy not req'd.. and real safe until you pull the hammer back..


PS
or get a german shepherd ("working dog" flavor, 90# or plus, not "show dog" flavor) 'yotes are neither brave, nor stupid
german shepherd dawgs are both brave and smart, and were bred to fight wolves
(wolves are smart, too, smart enough not to take on a big GSD one-on-one, but smart enough to bring friends, you got wolves, bring friends and a bigger gun than a 22, 'cause a "family" GSD will not back off, but can't handle a pack by themselves... want a friend, be a friend)

 

[Hondo 60]

+ 10 or 11 (I lost count) on Marlin 60.
It shoots better than me with or w/o the scope.

 

[goon]

My favorite .22LR is a CZ-452, but I also am fond of the 10/22.

Stick with 40 grain solids for anything you really need to kill with a .22LR. I prefer CCI minimag solids but anything solid, 40 grain, and moving fairly fast ought to shoot right through and hit something that will bleed a lot. Aim for the head if possible and put him down.

 

[floridabou3]

marlin 60 way way better out the box then a 10/22 ive owned 3 of them and there jam up rifles ive also owned a few 10/22 and i like the marlin 60 better. but my 22 of choice is the marline 39a

 

[Warners]

I wouldn't worry.....your American Bulldog should be able to kill a coyote almost as easily as a housecat. A normal coyote would see your dog and run for the hills.....they generally want to prey on "easy" stuff.....little dogs, cats, etc.

Warner

 

[goon]

Agreed - no slingshot. They are fine for scaring off feral cats but you need a gun for a real predator. That's why we own them.

 

[CZguy]

Agreed - no slingshot. They are fine for scaring off feral cats but you need a gun for a real predator. That's why we own them.

A sling shot (the modern kind that uses steel ball bearings for ammo) will dispatch a coyote (among other neusance annimals, like racoons and possums) without any difficulity. I've done it for years.

You can use an elephant gun to take care of coyotes for all that I care. Heck I don't live next door to you.