22Mag terminal perfromance

[Aaro]

What type of damage have yall had a 22 mag do on small critters like possums coons and foxes? Any thing worth talking about? What ammo has the best performance not reguarding accuracy? anyone tried the remington bt's?

[Gregory]

The Remington 33 gr Vmax shoot pretty well out of my Savage 93GL (second most accurate round).  I've only used them on a couple of squirrels so far but it will be my Coyote gun in an state conservation area restricted to rimfire rifles only.  Damage done to the squirrels was impressive.  The Speer 30 gr TNT was the most accurate load in my gun but they shoot 8" lower than every other load and I didn't want to sight the gun in for just that one load.  The Speer load looks like it would be great on the smaller varmints due to the explosive deep hollow point.  I haven't tried them on game.  I like the WW 40 gr JHP out of my Conterder 10" 22 Mag, they work well on squirrels too. 

[Jerry Lester]

If you're looking for sheer damage from the 22 magnum, try the CCI TNT HP's. It's a 30g HP design at around the same velovity as the CCI Maxi-Mag +V.

This ammo will drop a fox, coon, possum, or groundhog like a rock at ranges up to 60+ yards from a rifle. It's also proven to be pretty accurate in several rifles, and revolvers for me.

[Ak.Hiker]

Has anyone tried the 50 grain Federal? I would think it would have pretty good penetration with some expansion.

[Jerry Lester]

Has anyone tried the 50 grain Federal? I would think it would have pretty good penetration with some expansion.

Penetration with this load is unbelievable, but it acts more like a FMJ than a HP. I've shot coons with it through the chest, and watched them run up a tree like they weren't even hit. I also shot several foxes with it only to lose the majority for the same reason.

[mag-check]

The 50gr. ammo won't expand out of a rifle so I know it won't in short barrel pistols! Shoot the Winchester Super X 40gr. HPs!

[corbanzo]

Just let me tell you that short range bird hunting out of a 4.5" barrel single six is a bad idea.  Shot a sprice grouce with one at about ten yards and blew it in half with a run of the mill 40grn (dont remember exactly what brand)  It still tasted good... just not as big as the usual grouse breast.

[mikedb]

PMC makes a jacketed soft point.  I was thinking about using them for coyotes.  Anyone have any experience with them?

[Jerry Lester]

PMC makes a jacketed soft point.  I was thinking about using them for coyotes.  Anyone have any experience with them?

I've tried them in a couple revolvers(Single Sixes), and a few rifles. In a revolver, they're horribly dirty. In the rifles, they burn fairly clean, and accuracy in both was pretty daggone good actually.

As far as using them on a coyote, in my opinion, the 22 magnum from a rifle barrel is way to light for anything short of a perfect head shot. From a revolver it's even worse. Don't get me wrong, I know it'll "kill" a coyote with a chest shot, but unless he's gonna run across a wide open clearing for a couple hundred or more yards, you'll likely lose him.

[mikedb]

PMC makes a jacketed soft point.  I was thinking about using them for coyotes.  Anyone have any experience with them?

I've tried them in a couple revolvers(Single Sixes), and a few rifles. In a revolver, they're horribly dirty. In the rifles, they burn fairly clean, and accuracy in both was pretty daggone good actually.

As far as using them on a coyote, in my opinion, the 22 magnum from a rifle barrel is way to light for anything short of a perfect head shot. From a revolver it's even worse. Don't get me wrong, I know it'll "kill" a coyote with a chest shot, but unless he's gonna run across a wide open clearing for a couple hundred or more yards, you'll likely lose him.

I know it is light.  However, Michigan game laws only allow a rimfire or shotgun with nothing larger than #4 shot (not #4 buck)if hunting at night.

[Jerry Lester]

If I was limited to those two choices for coyotes, then I'd definately go with the shotgun, and get'em in close. I've seen coyotes hit very well in the vitals with 22 magnum rifles run 200-300 yards before falling. Heck, I've seen'em run quite a ways after taking a 22 Hornet to the vitals. Coyotes are tough, and they can take a hard hit, and still kick in the after burner. A shotgun with the right load will drop a coyote in his tracks consistently at 40+ yards.   

[mikedb]

would No 4 shot do it??

[Jerry Lester]

#4 shot from a 12 gauge 3" magnum should work good up to 40 yards with the right choke. I've killed them at 30+ yards with my 20 gauge 870 using the Winchester Supreme 3" magnum #4 shot, and a full choke tube. I prefer the Federal 3" #2 shot if I'm figuring I might see a coyote while calling foxes. Out of this little 20 gauge with the right choke this combo will consistantly drop a coyote at 40 yards. I just try to keep the pattern towards the head, neck, and chest.

A shotgun loaded with 3" magnum #4 shot within 40 yards will definately drop a coyote more consistently than a 22 magnum at any range.

[mag-check]

Thats not true on the shotgun being better than the 22 magnum at any range! Not true! Some people need to learn how to shoot a rifle! Thats the main problem! Ive killed alot of coyotes and I'll take head shots at them at 100yds. no problem can't do that with a shotgun and 40yds. is to far with a shotgun! Use the right bullet in the 22 magnum, use either the Win Super X HP or the CCI Maxi Max.

[Keith L]

I think yotes are centerfire country, and for sure out of a revolver it is only for the closest of shots.  If you take 100 yard shots with a rimfire pistol you are lucky to hit what you are shooting at, and it will not have enough zip left to do the job.

[Jerry Lester]

Thats not true on the shotgun being better than the 22 magnum at any range! Not true! Some people need to learn how to shoot a rifle! Thats the main problem! Ive killed alot of coyotes and I'll take head shots at them at 100yds. no problem can't do that with a shotgun and 40yds. is to far with a shotgun! Use the right bullet in the 22 magnum, use either the Win Super X HP or the CCI Maxi Max.

Normaly, I'd just leave this as it is, and go on about my business, but...

I didn't say the shotgun was better at "any" range. I said it was better within shotgun range(40 yards). As far as head shooting coyotes, I'd very much like to meet the man who could get a coyote to stand still long enough for a perfect head shot. I'm no seasoned coyote hunter(by my standards), but I have called in, and killed several dozen in the last few years, along with a slew of foxes, and even quite a few bobcats. Predators in most cases are either called in, or taken by chance when seen. In either case, most often there are only seconds at best to size up a shot, take aim, and make a kill. Therefore a chest shot offers a lot better chance of putting a bullet through something vital.

As far as my rifle shooting ability, I've run the whole spectrum of shooting/hunting. I've killed groundhogs well past 800 yards with rifles that were capable of that kind of consistent accuracy, won more than my fair share of money, and prizes shooting in "actual" field matches from field positions, busted varmints out past 250 yards with open sighted lever actions, and lately get my kicks from hunting most everything with open sighted revolvers. I can, have, and will continue till my sight gives out, bust oranges, or clay birds at 100+ yards offhand with any rifle I have, scoped or not very consistently, and do the same out to 250+ yards from nearly any field rested position.

I don't offer advice loosely, and you can bet that if I do offer it, there's a lot of trial, and error, and actual shooting time behind it. I've spent more hours behind a trigger than most people could comprehend, and sent hundreds of thousands of centerfire rounds downrange. The rimfire(magnums included) that I've sent downrange would make most sane people scratch their heads, and question my sanity. I'm pretty certain that by this time in my life, I've become a fairly good rifle shot...

Not trying to provoke any kind of argument here at all. I'm just letting you know from where my opinions have been formed ... 

[akr]

Thats not true on the shotgun being better than the 22 magnum at any range! Not true! Some people need to learn how to shoot a rifle! Thats the main problem! Ive killed alot of coyotes and I'll take head shots at them at 100yds. no problem can't do that with a shotgun and 40yds. is to far with a shotgun! Use the right bullet in the 22 magnum, use either the Win Super X HP or the CCI Maxi Max.

Heard of slugs?

[Duane]

Coyote meets single six in .22 mag

[mikedb]

Thats not true on the shotgun being better than the 22 magnum at any range! Not true! Some people need to learn how to shoot a rifle! Thats the main problem! Ive killed alot of coyotes and I'll take head shots at them at 100yds. no problem can't do that with a shotgun and 40yds. is to far with a shotgun! Use the right bullet in the 22 magnum, use either the Win Super X HP or the CCI Maxi Max.

Heard of slugs?

In Michigan you can not have anything larger than #4 shot after dark.  No centerfires are allowed either.  The DNR is very paranoid about deer poachers.