Author Topic: CCI Quik-shok or Aguila Supermax on 25-35lb coyotes? (Read 898 times)

jmartinson · « **on:** December 09, 2004, 08:50:50 AM »

I'm new to hunting and live in Houston, TX. Right now I'm just trying to learn how to read tracks, observe things in nature and move around without making a huge rucous.

I'd like to try hunting jacks & coyotes later this winter if I can arrange for access to some south or east texas land.

The only rifles I have are a scoped bolt action 22LR, and a Saiga in 7.62x39mm. I've read a .223 would be a lot closer to ideal, but I don't have one. I got the 22 because the ammo is affordable, the rifle was cheap, and I knew it would work for jacks/squirrels. And there's no closed season on hares/rabbits in TX. The Saiga has a great deal of penetration (123gr .30 cal bullet) and weighs in at around 10 pounds.

Coyotes in Texas are quite a bit smaller than the ones up north. According to Texas parks & wildlife, they typically run 25-35lbs.

The terrain I would have access to would either be piney woods or desert/brush country so I expect I will encounter them at closer range than people talk about up north on open prairies. I'm also learning to use mouth calls. So far I've had great luck calling all sorts of farm dogs

Would a hyper velocity 22 like the CCI Quik-shok or Aguila supermax be adequate within 30-75 yards? Both bullets leave the muzzle around 1750 fps & are carrying around 110 ft-lb of energy at 75 yards. The quik-shoks are also prefragmented so they break into 4 pieces after they enter the skin.

I've read about people taking down yotes cleanly with quik-shoks. Is that something a person could do consistantly? My goal is to try out the methods I've been reading about at braintan.com, so it's not going to do me any good if he runs and I can't find him.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

-Jacob

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2004, 02:07:56 PM »

jmartinson,

Will a .22 lr kill coyotes? Sure. Cleanly? Not always and that is the problem. Most times the coyote requires more than one shot. Even a little 25 lb. coyote can/is a tough customer. Bullets from even a Hyper-Velocity .22 lr will not exit most of the time so tracking can become a problem. I have killed a few coyotes with a .22 lr and I have yet to bring one down cleanly unless it was a head shot(hard due to them moving their heads a lot). Me, I don't go after a coyote with anything less than a .22 Hornet. Lawdog

jmartinson · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2004, 03:07:00 PM »

Damn it.

There's a big price jump going from rimfire to centerfire, both in rifles & the ammo.

Maybe it's time to sell my AK. It's really only good for a couple of situations anyway... "night of the living dead" and "red dawn", neither of which are really all that likely to happen.

Well, I should be able to get about $300 for it, the kobra sights, & my ammo, so that'll put me closer to what I need.

Thanks!

-J

aulrich · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2004, 05:19:51 AM »

If you can get that sort of cash for the 7.62-39 (Pitty it must be fun to shoot) you can change that in to a NEF Handi rifle (a inexpensive single shot rifle With a dedicated group on this site). a 223 in this should get you into the game (cheap rounds available) , and as a side benifit you can get extra barrels if you decide to hunt other things from 22 hornet to 45-70 or shotguns.

I have one and another one on lay away, they can take a little debugging to get shooting thier best but the folks in the group can get you through that if it's required.

Though it may be a tough adjustment from the semi to a single shot. :grin:

See for info
www.hr1871.com

brown-trout · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2004, 08:26:03 AM »

Id sell your sks and get a 223 rifle....I have a 223 H/R with a 3-9X40 scope on it....great to about 225 or 250...more than i need really.

SKS can be fun, but since im more of a hunter and less a shooter, mine sees little (ZERO) time out of doors. Havent had to shoot any deer lately more than once, so a single shot would seem to be more than sufficient.

If you want more than one shot get a Savage Bolt Action in 223

bt

insanelupus · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2004, 11:20:27 AM »

Maybe I missed it in your post, but why not just use the 7.62 x 39. Unless you'll be trying to sell the hides, the 7.62 will take care of your coyotes with no problems. I'm not sure if it's legal, but if you are worried about pelt dammage, just get some FMJ. Sure the hole will be .308" diameter as opposed to .224". Ammo is cheap, not as cheap as .223 but relatively less expensive than a new rifle, AND you won't miss out on the better part of the season. Trade it off in the spring or summer and have a chance to practice before next season. Just my .02

jmartinson · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2004, 04:25:55 PM »

That's not a bad idea. My main reservations about using my AK were that it's not particularly accurate, and it's only got about 150 yards before the trajectory gets really steep. And I'm not good at calling yet, so my chances of calling one close in are probably slim, but if it happens, why not?

I plan to keep the hides and tan them myself, but since it's gonna be my first time for that too, there's a real good chance they're not gonna come out too good anyway.

I was thinking about trying to get a couple ferals hogs instead, but maybe we can go after both and just see what we get.

Thanks!

-jacob

insanelupus · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2004, 05:47:23 PM »

Don't sell yourself short with the calling one close. My first one when I was a kid came in to about 45 yards. Pleanty good for AK territory. You might also try using a motorized decoy, supreme predator decoys are about $35. They look great. I've had several good set ups, but no luck yet. But it's been too warm here. I'd give the AK a try. If you can hit an 8" pie plate at 100 yards with it, it'll work. It might not be ideal, but then ideal and reality seldom coincide.