Coydogs have returned :(

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Just when I thought I'd never have to raise a firearm with the purpose of taking a life again, the necessity rears it's head again....

We have had an on-again-off-again problem with coydogs (coyote-dog hybrids, the cunning and agressiveness of a coyote, the lack of fear of humans of a dog), we have small animals as pets (a couple cats, and my sister who lives on the property has a couple small dogs, a mini-Dachsund, and a Chihuaua, and the kids are 9 and 6 respectively, she also boards horses and teaches horsemanship classes to high-schoolers, so a feral canid is not something we want to have on our property

a few summers back, I put one down with my M-N M44, I no longer have that gun, I was not happy with it's accuracy, so that option is off the table

my options for firearms are
Marlin 25 bolt, 7 shot .22LR (load with CCI Velocitors)
Ruger 10/22 .22LR with Butler Creek Steel Lips 25 rounder (load with CCI Velocitors)
H&R Classic Carbine .45 Colt single shot (new to me, haven't sighted it in yet, will this weekend) load with either my handloads (recipies good for coyotes?) or Black Hills 250Gr "Cowboy" loads (250Gr LRNFP)
H&R Topper Deluxe Classic 20 gauge (choice of Mod. or Full choke, and #3 Buck or Brenneke slug)
Remington 870 Express Supermag (#4, 00 Buck or Brenneke slug?)

The Coydog is about the size of a large German Shepherd, larger than the Coy I put down before, that one was about the size of a Springer Spaniel, it's brave, the last time we saw it, it was less than 25 yards away, and "yipping" at something

The guns I'm the most accurate and familiar with are the Marlin and Ruger, of the two, the Marlin has a slight edge over the Ruger, I'm also darned good with the H&R TDC 20G

Problem is, the .22 is a tad on the small side to reliably and humanely put down a coydog, and it's my duty as an ethical hunter to put the animal down humanely and with a minimum of suffering, a one-shot-kill would be ideal

The "problem" I have with the 20G is that it's a single shot, I'm great with that gun on the trap range, usually scoring in the low 20's, but I would like to have at least one followup shot in the gun itself, something a single shot cannot do

the 12G I'm just as accurate with, and I can load up to five rounds, I just haven't shot it as extensively as the 20G, I know the 20G, it's like an extension of my arms, and the one that I have the most confidence in besides the Marlin .22

So, what would be the best, most humane firearm for dispatching the coydog, assuming the distances are less than 35 yards....
 
At those distances I'd use the 20 gauge if it were the most comfortable for you to use that you feel confident with. Place the first shot well,..and be prepared to reload, reaim and fire a second or subsequent shot as needed. Many a farm has been ran with nothing but a single shot.
 
Within its range, the 870 12 gauge with #4 buck is your best choice. If you won't be able to get within 40-50 yards, I think you should use the Ruger .22 lr and shoot more than once. The .22 will punch all the way through more often than not.

The 20 gauge single shot with #3 buck would be fine too, except those guys tend to run in packs and I'd rather have some extra in the magazine.
 
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Claybirds are harder targets than a dog. I'd go with the 12 and 00 Buck. With a tight choke you're good to well over 50 yards.

While I am strong on ethics, I'm also strong on practicality in dealing with a predator. Ethics falls to second place with predators, IMO. I'm willing to be ethical, but only up to a point.

As far as killing? I don't go to drooling and slobbering over shooting a deer or quail. But I see absolutely no difference between me shooting Bambi and some employee of Swift or Armour killing a cow or a hog. I'm quite willing to provide my own meat.

Predators? About like stepping on a cockroach or swatting a fly. Pestiferous predators are bigger, is the only difference. I never worry about the ethical use of a fly-swatter...
 
Just like posted before me I'd have that shotgun handy and loaded with buck. Also it might not be a bad idea to a have side-arm to go along with you.
 
Yes, a cheap H&R .223 should let you reach out and drop them with one shot from a safe distance. The action is the same as that 20 gauge topper you like so much.
 
I'd go with the 12 and 00 Buck.
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This is also what I would choose. A coyote/dog hybrid the size of a German Sheperd dog is going to be very tough and will take more than a coyote would to put down.
 
Wow, sounds like a serious threat. A dog that size could easily overpower a person, I would think. I vote 12 gauge and keep it handy and ready.
 
Easy,

Go with the 870 (#4 should be good out to 35-40 yds, #00 out to 60-ish).

You'll have the ability to address multiple targets (or take quick follow up shots) with the 870.

Leave the single shot in the closet/other.
 
Definately go with the 12ga loaded up with buckshot. A predator call will probably help significantly with getting them in range. Also I highly recommend hunting with a partner especially for that kind of critter.
 
Id choose the 10/22 or the .45lc

I'm not so sure about being close enough for the 12ga and also doubt he would let you get that close.

Id pump him full of .22 but the .45lc will reach out to 100yds and hit really hard. Is the .22 ethical.. probably not but ethics are out when a predator is around especially a feral one.
 
Of the guns you said you own, the 870 w/#4 buck would me my choice. with a sidearm as backup.

My own choice would be a lightweight AR15 w/63gr. to 75gr. HP bullets.

mbogo
 
I'm not so sure about being close enough for the 12ga and also doubt he would let you get that close
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I think he addressed that here:
The Coydog is about the size of a large German Shepherd, larger than the Coy I put down before, that one was about the size of a Springer Spaniel, it's brave, the last time we saw it, it was less than 25 yards away, and "yipping" at something
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This is a very dangerous animal. Only a head shot with a .22 at any range would be acceptable. The 12 ga makes the most sense. My brother killed a big male coyote running directly at him. It took 3 loads of 12ga 3" 00 buck to stop him. (he was being chased by dogs NOT charging)
 
Good info so far, thanks, the more I think about it, the more sense the 12G makes, I will definitely try calling it in, and will keep my 1911 on my hip when actively hunting it

I hope the "yipping" call does not mean "food is here" as my instinct is telling me, because that'd mean more than one coydog is around…
 
they are social animals like most canines. I would bet there are more, yours is just more comfortable close to humans. I still say the 20ga would do fine with buck or a slug. Did you say the critter comes within 25yds? wow
 
If you got a supermag (3.5 inch? sorry dont know Remingtons line well) load it up with 3.5 inch T shot though 00 buck and let her rip. More than enough with that much shot out to 80yards. A clean kill would be prefered, but I would take a lesson learned to steer clear of humans as a close second-
 
#4 buck in 12 ga is my favorite, but mainly because I have a bunch of it. Patterns denser than 00, and it's like shooting 34 .22s all at the same time (in 2 3/4). It'll definitely put anything up to the size of a human being down.
 
So, I'm perusing my ammo pile to find the appropriate rounds to use in the event that I see the coy again

.45 Colt;
Bullseye 250GR LRNFP (15 rounds left)
Winchester 225 GR Silvertip HP (20 rounds)
Or, I can make up some of my own reloads, I have Win 231 and IMR Trailboss propellant, and Better Bullets 200GR LSWC bullets, just find the max. loads for those propellants

20 Gauge;
Fed. 2 3/4" #3 Buck
Fed 3" Mag #2 Buck
Brenneke Heavy Field Short Magnum 1 Oz slug (2 left)

12 Gauge;
Remington 00 Buck Value Pack
Federal 2 3/4" 4 Buck
Federal 2 3/4" Low Recoil 00 Buck
Federal 2 3/4" 00 Buck with Flite Control wad
Federal 3" Mag 00 Buck with FC wad
Federal 3" Mag 000 Buck
Brenneke Tactical Home Defense 1 OZ reduced recoil slug
Brenneke KO Sabot 1 Oz
Brenneke Black Magic 1 Oz
Brenneke Heavy Field Short Magnum 1 Oz (2 left)
Remington Managed Recoil 2 3/4" 1 Oz slug

I'm thinking that of the possible 12Ga shells, the best bet would be one of the Federal Flitecontrol shells, possibly the 3" due to it's putting more lead downrange and the control of the FC wad, I'll have to pattern my 870 with the FC shells before I commit to using them in the field though
 
Meh, that's just the way I am, *always* overthinking/overanalyzing things, one of the hazards of the Technician mindset....

Just now I was on the Hodgon website, looking up Win231 recipies for .45 Colt, and I was surprised at the differences between .45 ACP and Colt when using Max charges in each...

5.6 Gn of 231 under a 200Gn LSWC yields 914 FPS at 16,900 CUP
8.0 Gn of 231 under a 200Gn LSWC yields 1,002 FPS at 13,800 CUP

the 45 Colt is 88 FPS faster than the .45 ACP, and it gets that speed with 3,100 LESS CUP units, even though it's a bigger powder load, must be due to the increased case volume in the Colt brass
 
My vote is the 12 ga, with 00buck. DONT shoot bird shot at it, you'll make it mad. Remember, they will generally run away from you, but wounded animals may turn and fight. In my youth, I assisted in a few coyote hunts....And wild dogs. They can be suprisingly tough. We did it in groups (Of hunters / shooters, I'm not suggesting going out with a posse of unorganized, rabble - that could be more dangerous). I've seen a pure coyote not go down at close range until the 3rd shot of 12ga 00 buck. It may have eventually died from the wounds, but it was still running...

When possible my Father used a scoped .243 with handloaded HPs. He took a group of 3 wild dogs getting into our neighbors sheep from 200 yds+/-. There was a lot less excitement from that range. So a nice High Power/Scoped/accurate rifle may buy some comfort & distance. 1 well placed shot did it everytime (That I remember). There are some good entry level boltys on the market for 300 - 350 +/-.
 
*always* overthinking/overanalyzing things, one of the hazards of the Technician mindset....
Click to expand...
I understand that mindset. I suffered from it myself early in my own career. You eventually learn to think efficiently instead. Pick a load of buckshot and don't worry about the color of the shell. That coydog won't know the difference.
 
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