22lr and 22mag question...

[Muddy05]

I'm looking at buying a new sportster and got to wondering... How far off can you shoot a Coyote with the 22lr and expect to kill it? Is 100yrds too far? And how much farther could you shoot one with a 22mag?

[Tencubed]

Even at very close range, say 25 yards or less, the 22 LR is marginal for a clean kill on a coyote even with reasonable bullet placement IMO.  22 Mag would be some improvement but not that much.  There have been a lot of coyotes killed with the 22 LR over the years but there have also been a lot that died a slow death from bullets that did not take out a major artery, the brain or the heart.

To be fair to yourself and the coyote I would suggest you look at something a bit more powerful.  The 223 or 17 Remington both do a good job as do many other rounds.

Mike

[Sourdough]

.17HMR would do a better job, but still not adiquate.  You need a centerfire, and in some states a centerfire is required. 

[quickdtoo]

Centerfires are not allowed on a lot of wildlife management units, so due to restrictions, rimfires have their place.

Tim

[MSP Ret]

My H&R/NEF in .22 Mag is a true moa gun with ammo it likes, that said it has proven it is more than enough gun with the correct soft point ammo for coyotes at 75 yards. I consider 100 yards the max range I would shoot a coyote with it, IF I had a good rest and felt comfortable with the shot, that way I would know just where the bullet was going to hit. Even with a .223 a poor shot on a coyote with the wrong (FMJ/Solid) ammo would allow the coyote to possibly escape and die a lingering and unsportsmanlike death, nothing I want to do. This is as any other hunting question, know your gun and ammo and keep within your own limitations with it. I have wanted to try my .17 HMR on coyotes but as yet have not, the .22 Mag is just so sweet a gun for that....<><....