What's your choice of handgun for close range coyotes?

[Bowhunter57]

I've hunted nearly everything with a handgun and would like to take on the challenge of hunting coyotes. I think carrying a handgun for close range work would be much easier than toting a shotgun, along with my rifle for the long range shots.

What's your choice of caliber and type of action in a handgun, for coyote hunting?

Thank you, Bowhunter57

 

[Armored farmer]

Im certain that this isnt what you had in mind, but its easily my most accurate and shootable centerfire "pistol".
It would definately be my choice if i really wanted to get a coyote.

 

[horsey300]

I've hunted nearly everything with a handgun and would like to take on the challenge of hunting coyotes. I think carrying a handgun for close range work would be much easier than toting a shotgun, along with my rifle for the long range shots.

What's your choice of caliber and type of action in a handgun, for coyote hunting?

Thank you, Bowhunter57

Whichever I feel like grabbing quite frankly. Trying to save hides is a different story, but for just putting them down, I've used revolvers from .22lr, mag, and .357/38sp, variety, we'll get the .41 blooded soon enough too, and both 9mm and the .40 semiautos as well. I get much more comfortable with a revolver with the hammer eared back for such situations, but they've ALL been sufficient. So I suggest whatever you can fire most accurately, and rapid enough for a double if you get so lucky.

 

[CraigC]

Anything from the .22LR on up.

 

[MCgunner]

I sorta prefer my Blackhawks for hunting short range iron sighted. I've not shot a yote with one, though, but then it'd be a target of opportunity as I don't really hunt yotes.

 

[mcb]

What ever pistol you shoot the best with in any caliber 38 Special/9mm or larger. Coyotes don't take a lot of killing. Getting good hits is what count carry whatever you can shoot well.

 

[RAEIndustries]

The ones around here would never be close enough for a pistol shot in north Florida

 

[MCgunner]

If you see one here, it'll likely be close enough. I took one with the only weapon I had on me at the time, a .38 snubby. It was a 50 yard shot.

 

[WestKentucky]

How close? Inside 20 I would say single six with 22 mag cylinder. Beyond 30 I go .357. Anything up to about 40 I’m fine with my m9.

 

[Charliefrank]

I carry a 357 loaded with 125 gr hollow points for just that purpose. I've had them come running to my call and pop out of the brush where it was too close for the rifle. I always have the revolver in my lap when I'm sitting and calling.

 

[FL-NC]

Whatever you can hit with 22 magnum and up. Its just a medium size dog.

 

[Bowhunter57]

I must say that I'm shocked to see so many replies with a rimfire pistol. The "close range" shots that I'm referring to are inside 40 yards.

I'm leaning towards more power, like a 9mm, 10mm or 45acp, but with a good trigger. 1911s fall into the "good trigger" category and so does a few others like a Taurus PT92, Tanfoglio Witness and Browning Hi-Power.

Bowhunter57

 

[cp1969]

That may be what you're wanting to hear, but people are telling you that you don't need more power than what they're recommending. You don't need a lot of power, it just needs to be well-placed.

You're certainly free to use whatever you want, though. They'll work.

 

[entropy]

The only coyote I've shot with a pistol was with a .357, because that's what I had on me. It was an opportunity shot. If I'd have had a .22 I'd have used that.

 

[sixgunner455]

Whatever. Really. My aunt killed a 100# German shepherd with a .22 because it was trying to pull down a brand new horse foal. If it's got the power to do that, a coyote half that size or less at close range isn't gonna have any different outcome.

I've only shot at a couple of coyotes. One was about to go after my Brittany. 9mm I was carrying kicked dirt in his face at a hair over 70 yards. I'd have taken it if it had hit him, but wasn't surprised to have a close miss. He hit the afterburners and left the area, no dog fight. Called it a win and went back to looking for birds.

We can night hunt coyotes here, including using lights, but we have to use shotguns using shot. I haven't done it yet, but it sounds like enough fun I'm setting up a gun to do it with.

 

[kayak-man]

I have zero experience, and only own two of the following three, but I think if I was going to try using a pistol for close range coyote I'd go with either
- Glock 20
- 1911 (mine is a 45, but I'm confident a 10mm, 357 sig, or 38 super would do the job)
- if I had a GP100 (especially the match champion) I think that would be my first choice.

That being said, when I have (unsuccessfully) hunted coyotes, I usually grab an AR or 30-06