Author Topic: 22mag/20gauge for coyotes (Read 586 times)

PAShooter · « **on:** March 25, 2004, 02:30:25 AM »

I am just getting into coyote hunting, and would like to use my Savage 24 .22mag over 20 gauge. How well will the .22mag work on 'yotes ?

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2004, 12:46:18 PM »

PAShooter,

The .22 WMR will work on coyotes but please limit the range you plan on shooting to a max of 75 yards. Sure it will kill farther out but not cleanly and constantly which is what every hunter wants to do. Forget the head shots, called in coyotes don't hold their heads still and the chance of only wounding is very real. Magnum loads only in the 20 ga. and 0 or 00 buckshot should be used. Personally I prefer slugs for the 20 ga.. Better yet than the M24 would be to save your pennies and get a .22 Hornet(an NEF single shot is not bad), scope it with a good 6X and that way you would be able to take coyotes out to 175(+/-) yards. A big plus with the Hornet is it does not tear up hides. Lawdog

PAShooter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2004, 01:17:15 AM »

Thanks for the reply, the terrain here in SouthWest Pa (hilly, with lots of cover) makes shots over 50 to 70 yards unlikely, so my combo should work fine.

scruffy · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2004, 04:51:50 AM »

Should be a good low recoil combo. I use the light high velicity 22 wmrs in my 22 mag and prefer the win black box supremes first and the Remington premeirs vmax's seconds. The winchesters are more accurate out of both my 22 mags and seem to explode at lower velocities where the vmax just cuts right through (shooting apples at long range is a blast!)

On the 20 gauge I wouldn't use (don't like) 0 or 00 buck. You'll have to check on the 20 but I believe a 12 gauge 2 3/4" 00 buckshot has 9 pellets, 3" has 13 or 14, and the 3.5" has 18 pellets. I used the federal 3.5" 00 buck for a couple of years and really got soured on it. I imagine a 3" 20 gauge would have between 6 and 9 00 buck pellets. Even at .33 cal per ball, I don't like those numbers on a coyote.

Instead I'd get #4 buckshot. You'll have a couple dozen .22 cal pellets headed downrange. I much better like those odds.

I've been looking at the 223/12 gauge combo. Please report back yours shoots!!!

later,
scruffy

PAShooter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2004, 03:17:12 PM »

If I am not mistaken (got to check the regulations) I don't think I can use buckshot for coyotes here in PA. I figure I can use the .22 mag if their further out, or the 20 gauge in their up close. I shoot the CCI ammo from my .22 mag, 3/4" group @100. don't know how it performs on larger animals, largest thing I've shot is a ground hog and the hollow points whack them pretty good.