Author Topic: Best Hand gun for Coyotes (Read 1921 times)

dougk · « **on:** March 04, 2005, 03:23:43 PM »

Today as I was feeding the horses (about 8:30 am and over cast) in the front field 2 coyotes chased a small deer across the field. I always carry a .22 mag pistol with me I shot at the coyotes to scare them off. About 4 minutes later a 3rd coyote (a big one) strolls across the field. I did not have a clean shot at him because of the trees.

It has become clear to me after this experience, that the .22 mag is not going to do the trick. I am not going to carry a rifle or shotgun.

What handgun would be best for our friends the coyotes, 44mag 7.5 Ruger Redhawk, 45acp Sig Sauer P220, or 9mm Steyr S-9? None are scoped.

Thanks,
Doug

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2005, 06:24:08 PM »

In my opinion, you'd be hard pressed to beat a good tough Stainless Ruger Blackhawk in 357 magnum. Mine has had literally tens of thousands of rounds through it, and it's still as good as new. I just had it cut down to 5.5"(it was 6.5")a while back, and I like it even better now. It's a nice accurate revolver, and in 357 magnum, it'll do anything you need on a farm.

A great load for varmints is a 140g XTP-HP at around 1400 fps(muzzle). I garantee that combination will thump a coyote up to at least 75 yards or more with a chest shot.

PeterF. · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2005, 04:53:50 AM »

I think any of those calibers would be adequate against a coyote (although it might depend on which bullet-type you use with the 9mm). The more important question is which one can you shoot most accurately at the required distance, as it's unlikely the coyote will come very close. Personally, I'd go with the .44 (maybe using .44 Special).

earschplitinloudenboomer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2005, 09:19:25 PM »

Whether you want to kill him or scare him, short yardage or long, you may want to check out a CZ52. Cheap (but quality) gun, cheap ammo available. That big purple ball of hellfire and brimstone at the muzzle ought to scare the be-jesus out of 'em.

Catfish · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2005, 10:38:58 AM »

What ever you shot the most accurately and can hit them with.

skb2706 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2005, 10:03:43 AM »

Just about anything center fire I can sqeeze down the barrel of a Contender..............

dougk · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2005, 03:22:07 PM »

with the handgun and the spaces here, I need to be able to shoot upto 100 yards. The 9mm and .45 are great shooters up to 40 yards, after that I am not a good shooter with them. the .44 mag is too heavy to carry and I will be scoping that gun shortly.

I am now looking for a .357 with a 6.5 inch barrel.

Doug

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2005, 03:34:14 AM »

Buy you a Stainless 357 Blackhawk, and you'll be pleased with it.

By the way, If you handload, try 140g XTP-HPs at maximum velocity. This bullet is extremely accurate, and terminal performance is unbelievable on critters smaller than deer.

dougk · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2005, 04:44:26 AM »

Why stainless vs. blued. It will be a ranch gun.
Doug

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2005, 02:33:29 PM »

Stainless just holds up better to hard outdoors use. If you let dust, or powder residue build up on a blued gun it tends to rust up on you quicker. I've carried my stainless Blackhawk in the truck for several weeks(and hundreds of rounds) at a time between cleanings. If you try that with a blued gun, you'll eventually end up with a very rough looking revolver, and quite likely a pitted bore.

Your vehichle goes through a lot of moist, then dry phases. A lot of times( snow, rain, heater, AC, etc.), these changes can occur several times in one day. Factor in a light coat of dust, or powder residue on your gun, and it doesn't take long for the elements to start working hard on it.

dougk · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2005, 05:15:48 PM »

thanks for the info...

dougk · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2006, 09:41:40 AM »

I ended up with a Steyr .357 Sig. Corbon has a 1500 fps round...

mangulator · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2006, 07:04:27 AM »

Can't go wrong Ruger BlackHawk with 357 mag. and 125 grain hollow points...

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2006, 08:15:55 AM »

Quote from: dougk

with the handgun and the spaces here, I need to be able to shoot upto 100 yards. The 9mm and .45 are great shooters up to 40 yards, after that I am not a good shooter with them. the .44 mag is too heavy to carry and I will be scoping that gun shortly.

I am now looking for a .357 with a 6.5 inch barrel.

Doug

Your on the right track for your needs. The Ruger BH in stainless would be a good choice. I've had a couple BH .357s over the years but always managed to let someone talk me out of them. Always regretted it with in a very short time. The BH .44 you have will work nicely with 180/200 gr HPs if your not looking to get a new handgun.

I picked up a Ruger Security Six with a 6" barrel a few years back and I have been quite pleased with it, so pleased I've not got another BH yet. I push 125 gr Winchester or Hornady HPs out at 1690 fps with BlueDot powder. It is a very accurate load and is death and destruction on coyotes out to as far as I shoot them with a handgun. I have shot this load (it IS listed in a manual BTWand safe in the SS and BHs - wouldn't use it in K frame S&W though) in a couple BHs and it is very accurate in them also.

Larry Gibson

kyote · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:15:01 AM »

I think you did well with the .357sig.in a semi..fast follow up shots.and it will serve you well with other chores of a hand gun.and if you hit that FILTHY COYOTE with one of them fast movers.should punch his ticket..enjoy..

oso45-70 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 19, 2006, 07:49:58 AM »

Best hand gun for coyotes

We have come a long ways to get where we should have been to start with. The one that stands out to me when it comes to shooting long range is the 41 Mag. plenty of umph to get the job done with out alot of kick and extremly accurate. This is one mans opinion ( mine )........Joe........

kyote · « **Reply #16 on:** April 20, 2006, 09:30:58 AM »

Well,I do not know the situation of this matter.are the money wanting to be spent.But he all ready has the pistol he wants.
I would think a TC in 30/30AI with a scope on it would be the ticket.that coyote could not be far enough out there to not get spanked by it.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2006, 09:06:06 PM »

Quote from: kyote

Well,I do not know the situation of this matter.are the money wanting to be spent.But he all ready has the pistol he wants.
I would think a TC in 30/30AI with a scope on it would be the ticket.that coyote could not be far enough out there to not get spanked by it.

Kyote Yep" Sure would be a handy little P-Dog shooter with the AI added to it, Doggone, wish they would put an Ai contraption on the 41 Mag. so it would reach out and touch some thing, Maybe we ought to put nite vision on our long range Coyote guns. At least put a Leupold 18X25 scope on it so we could reach wwwaaayyy out there and tickle him. Nope, Don't think so, I will stick to my 41 Mag. 7 1/2" Ruger Bisley, Better yet maybe learn to call them in and shoot them, Now theres a plan .why did'nt i think of that. The devil made me do it

...........Joe.............

kyote · « **Reply #18 on:** April 21, 2006, 02:57:58 AM »

I did not believe he was wanting to call them in the origanal post.he is on a ranch or farm and see's them running around on occasion and wanted a hand gun to shoot them.not call them in to shoot them.I am glad you have learned to call them in to point blank range..maybe you can give a southern N.M.state coyote calling champion (2times)and 5 times 1st place in other calling coyote calling contest and 1 second place winner.some pointers??
sorry you feel the 30/30 AI a poor choice.and you think me a fool for liking the AI as a good thing..I thought the .41 was a good choice also.but I guess you are the only one that knows anything since you have 70 years of of expertice in this area..oh the 41. is a straight wall and can not be AIed.and I see you can not shoot any thing past your nose as you seem to make fun of any one that wants to try and shoot long range.to bad..I enjoy long range shooting and accurate firearms.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2006, 05:34:41 AM »

Mister Kyote First of all I was just funning with you, Had no idea you couldnt handle the teasing, Guess I misjudged you, Theres no reason to get your bowels in a uproar. You can bet it will not happen again. I come to this site to have fun and meet people of the same Ilk.
As far as shooting past my nose maybe you would like to get togather and have a friendly long range shoot. and decide who can shoot past their nose. I was not making fun of any body and I just asumed you would pick up on what i thought would be a Joke.Mister Kyote I was not making any references to your calling ability or shooting ability, I was just having fun with you or thought i was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sorry..........Joe........

nomosendero · « **Reply #20 on:** April 22, 2006, 06:03:10 AM »

For a sidearm that may be used in the spur-of-the-moment situation, the 357, 41, 44, any of these are going to do about the same on a small animal like a Coyote. I like my 629, but the 357 125gr. is a good Varmit load.

For planned situations or shooting out of my truck, I like my Super 14 in
223 with the 50V-Max or 55Gr. BT. Funny that the 30-30AI was mentioned, I have that Super 14 barrel as well, which shoots the 150BT at
2,400FPS. I shot an Antelope at 187 yards with it & I am fine with it with
Deer/Antelope/Varmits out to 250 yards. Oso45-70, I know you were joking, but it did remind me of what a fine barrel my 30-30AI is, but I
still think in terms of the 223 usually for Varmits & these rounds offer a totally different type of Varmit shooting that a straight wall case cannot provide, but I enjoy both type of weapons.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 25, 2006, 04:16:51 AM »

Nomosendero

I totally agree with you on the 14" 223 as a good pick up gun, At one time it seems like i had a wheel barrow load of the T/Cs or simular hand guns, But have gotten past that stage, Down to one T/C its a 6.5 JDJ rifle with a 20" barrel. I happen to know a little about P.O. Ackley and his fine AI.s
Have had many in the past 50 years. Even a 30-30 Ai 14". My first real Deer gun was a 30-06 AI improved in 1950 and there is and will be more AIs in my gun safes. In spite of what any one thinks. Have a good day and good hunting

............Joe...........

poncaguy · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2006, 07:30:15 PM »

3 I have, a Contender 15" 223 with 3x Burris AO scope , 6" SS Ruger GP 100 357.....or my 8" 357 Dan Wesson revolver......

Old Griz · « **Reply #23 on:** June 14, 2006, 12:11:30 PM »

:cb2: kyote; I promise, Joe was just funnin' with ya. Now he may be as ugly as a bald butted bear with hemorrhoids, but he's really a nice guy. I just wish he'd stop braggin' bout that .41 Bisley! I can't find one anywhere!

(Now ain't it nice to have friends to back you up!)