Aaron,
If I was paying factory load prices, I don't think I could afford to shoot as much as I do. :roll:
However, if you aren't going to reload, the Mag will be much cheaper to shoot. I think Hornets are going for >$20/50 around here and you can get Mags for <$10/50. I can reload my Hornet for less than what Mags cost.
The Hornet uses a 45-46 gr bullet in factory loads and I believe the Mag is only 40 gr. That plus the higher velocity of the Hornet gives it more energy to expend on coyotes.
A new Hornet can have any barrel fitted from the factory, so the Sportster is a deadend road IMO.
I rarely shoot factory loads and haven't ever shot a factory Hornet, but my reloads will group about 1" at 100 yards (sometimes better and sometimes worse). I don't know what a Mag will do at 100 yards, but I think it'll have a hard time keeping up.
I forgot to add, I use a 20" Super Light Hornet barrel, which really makes it handy!