.22

[tipiguy]

In the past i have always used a .22 pistol shooting 22 shorts to dispatch coons.  Was wondering if I could use subsonics as well.  Don't want to blow the head apart but want a good kill.  Anyone use subsonics (40 grain) or have any experience with them?

Tipiguy

[.17HMR]

I used .22 subsonic in my .22lr when I was younger and it didn't seem to make any bigger hole than any other .22 ammo would. but now I only use the .22 for skunks and coyotes. If you like try hitting the coon in the head with a trapstake or trowel if you do it right it kills them quick and leaves almost no blood at all

[RdFx]

From  my experience i do not recommend blunt trauma force in  uthanizing coons.  A properly placed 22 round  will do the job quicker and no suffering on animals part.

[Bubber]

I use either subsonics or some low velocity federal rounds through a ruger single six for most of my dispatch including lung shooting coyotes and bobcats and like them. However I have shot regular LR rounds and had little problems with them as pass through shots only leave a .22 caliber hole on both entry and exit. Even on coons as long as the angle is right so you don't get an exit hole they only leave a .22 caliber hole where they went in.

But to awnser your question, yes a subsonic would dispatch a coon cleanly.

[jim-NE]

Those subsonics should do quite well. (the subsonics work best for silencer arrangements, don't they?) I used CBs and CB Caps, Shorts, etc. untill the price of those well exceeded the cheap, standard LR ammo. Now I buy the cheapest rounds I can find. I get some misfires occasionally, but have little invested and I always have ample time to reload...a trapped animal isn't going anywhere anyway. Any low-powered round is very sufficient at that close of range. I think that if you can apply enough force with a blunt trauma blow by hand, then wouldn't it suffice to say that the carrying force behind a subsonic .22 even if it is so low powered will certainly produce ample penetration results? A coyote may seem to possess unrealistic stamina out in the open when running after a shot, even with a high powered round through it...but point is in this situation they are on the end of a chain not out in open, and you can walk right up to them. I used to head shoot them for a quick drop, but they bleed profusely at the set, so I went to heart shots. It is only a small, pencil-sized hole at most, and if you put up the furs washed, etc. you rarely get docked for such small bullet holes whatsoever. Geez, how many coon make it to market every year that were spotlighted and dropped at greater distances with .22s?
Personally, I would just lean toward the cheaper off the shelf LR ammo vs. paying a little more for special subsonics. Just my opinion, though. I would wager you would see at best a marginal difference in your marketed hides between 2 holes (entrance/exit) and single holes.
One argument for head shots is that there are already two eye holes and two ear holes in that area of the pelt already...what's one or two more? And, there are limited applications for the face furs anyway on most species.
Jim-NE

[Asa Lenon]

RdFx writes...
From my experience i do not recommend blunt trauma force in uthanizing coons. A properly placed 22 round will do the job quicker and no suffering on animals part.

I agree RdFx, a .22 is quick, effective and humane.  Ace

[Bubber]

Those subsonics should do quite well. (the subsonics work best for silencer arrangements, don't they?) Jim-NE

I have no idea what you are talking about.  :grin:

[cotton jonas]

i tried the cb's on coon and only made one ole big boar coon mad.
went back to using cci stingers and aint had any problems, only one hole and no critters sit and watch ya after ya hit em one time with them.