Dropping power?

[buckshooter]

Hey guys I am knew to predator hunting, I have a question. I own a 22 long rifle, not 22 magnum. I was wondering if a basic 22 LR is powerful enough, I have read that a 22 magnum is the best for under 100 yards, know this is what I read I some what believe it, So is a 22 LR powerful enough.  

Please reply

Buckshooter  

[rbergum95]

powerful enough for what animal?? in most cases i would say not really. i have killed coyotes out to 180 yards with a .22 lr but i dont suggest it. i would suggest at least a .22 mag but a .22 centerfire would be better in MOST cases.

ron

[Catfish]

For fox or bobcat over a call a .22 mag. would work, but for longer ranges or larger game I would recommend a center fire rifle or a shotgun with proper size shot for the game. If your looking for a cheap varmint rifle try a handy Rifle in ether .223 or .243 with a good varmint bullet. ether will do the job out to 250 to 300 yrds., if you can hit them.

[Jerry Lester]

I've used a 22 LR rifle in a pinch for called in foxes. With perfect shot placement, it'll do OK up to maybe 50 yards using Hyper velocity ammo like Stingers, but I'd never want to try it farther. As far as coyotes, or bobcats, it'd be a disaster even at very close ranges much less out to 100 yards.

[Ladobe]

I suppose some yo-yo has killed a cape buffalo with a 22LR or 22MAG with a well placed shot at one time or another.    Doesn't make it right, nor a good choice and much the same as hunting deer with a BB gun.   It's all about shot placement no matter what cartridge you shoot and what animals you shoot them at.   But using more gun gives you some room to fudge if your shot isn't perfect.   As a newbie to predator hunting, why not get started right?   Use a firearm that is better suited, is more humane and a bunch more reliable killer for them than the 22 rimfires are - and save the 22's for the small game they were intended for.   

MO - YMMV

L.

[hillbill]

by predators im thinking we are talking coyote size and below? yotes are tough but if you limit shots to 50 yrds or less with precise placement you should be in good shape. trust me im not a fan of 22 lr for predators but if that was all i had, hey i would still be out there.at 50 yrds yu should be able to head shoot a varmint, if yu cant then keep practicing till you can.on called in predators, 50 yrds is not that uncommon on a called in yote. yu take shots outside that then yu wont find a lot of the varmints yu shot at.know your limitations and live by them religiously, let the rest walk for next time. if you are in open country yu can lung shoot them and hope for the best, gives yu a bigger target but aint my way at all. dont expect a blood trail with a 22 at all.

[jdwolf]

A friend of mine recently shot a coyote with a Ruger MKII .22lr pistol.  The shot was from about 25 ft.  He hit the coyote in the stomach and knocked him down.  The coyote then sprang up and began biting himself where he was hit.  Before my friend could get a second shot off the coyote ran away.

[Sourdough]

Totally agree with Hillbill.  22 Mag is usually enough, for up close shots, out to 100 yards.  Beyond that you will definitely need something bigger.  The H&R Ultra in .223 or 22-250 are good examples of low cost, yet serviceable guns that will fill the need.  I carry an H&R Ultra in .223 myself for coyotes and down.  I carry one in 30-06 for bigger predators, starting this time of year.