Coyote hunting w/rimfire

[hillbilly243]

:cry: I have been considering night hunting for coyotes. In checking the regulations, i found that the only thing I can use for this is a shotgun #4 shot or smaller or a rimfire rifle. Is there a rimfire rifle that is capable of cleanly killing a coyote. The last thing I want is a dog running away to die a horrible death.

[KN]

22mag well placed should do the trick.   KN

[Tacoma]

I can attest that a .22 mag rifle will handle yotes nicely out to 100 yds with a head shot. Body shots will kill them but not a cleanly. Marlin and Savage make very decient .22mags  for $200 or so.  While it produces less energy, I would think that a 6.5" ruger single six w a 40 gr .22 mag round would do just fine to 50 yds or so ( if scoped).  I'm a fan of the .22 mag as a accurate and fun to shoot bridge between .22 LR and centerfire rounds.
hth

[Dogshooter]

I have an Anschutz Model 62P bolt action handgun with a Swift 1.5 X 4 on it. I keep it in my suburban all the time cause it don't take up much room. I have killed several coyotes with it as well as a couple of badgers. It will absolutely take a coyote out further than a shotgun will.

[SPW]

I have never shot a coyote with a rimfire but over the years I have killed a half doz. or so feral or semi feral stock killing dogs without problems. All were 25-50 yards and all but one, a big rott, fell where they stood or within a few feet. The rott had killed some goats and was shot running away at about 45 yards. I found him about a quarter mile away a week later. The bullet had hit him a little far back through the liver which accounts for how far he went. Based on this i would say a rimfire is fine at moderate ranges if the lungs, heart, spine or brain is hit but miss these and the animal will likely run a long ways and then curl up and die but you will lose the animal.  By the way these were all stan. vel. long rifle bullets and in most cases bulk softpoints.  :shock:  Remember you will do fine with small for purpose rounds if you place them well and poorly if you shoot poorly. It all comes down to be sure you can shoot strait or don't shoot at all. :grin: