Rifle for coon calling

S

Sigpros228

New member
Looking to get into coon calling and was wondering what is everyone’s favorite caliber and rifle? Looking at a 22mag just for the extra punch. Seriously considering a browning t bolt just because I have always wanted one.
 
I've been den calling now for about 15 years and average about 50 a year. Started out using 17HMR, and switched to the 22 mag, after having several coons hitting the ground and taking off. The 22 mag does a good job, but have to sew up exit holes sometimes. Picked up a Savage A17 WSM and been using it this season with 25gr load and will be using it from now on. Went out and hit a couple of trees, getting 9 coons and only had one hole to sew. 17 Hornet with the 25gr load is another round that works well.
 
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Yes we will be using ecaller also looking into what one to get. But this will be for varmint control. The shotgun could be real handy. Thinking about my son and I one with the rifle one with a shotgun. We will be calling a bunch of old houses/buildings and around silage pits
 
I've used 22lr to carbine 223(suppressed). Never messed with a shotgun. I think the 22 mag or 17wsm suppressed if you can, is the way to go. The CCI velocitor is the ONLY 22 lr round I would use on coon. In 22 mag the 30 gr TNT is great. 17wsm ammo is expensive.
 
If there are two of you the best of both worlds can be had. A shotgun and a rifle on each stand is a beautiful thing. A .22 Magnum is great coon medicine as is any heavy field load of #4 birdshot from a 20 - 12 gauge shotgun. I like improved modified, or full chokes in my shotgun. If I am alone I use a shotgun. Coons can be pretty tough, if you hit one and it doesn't fold up add more lead to it.
 
These were all called out of a den tree and downed by the boys with their hmr's. Used a LD Revolt about 15 yards off the base of the old cottonwood. Don't think the call had run a full 30 seconds before the first came out, followed by another and another and another. Before long the kids were trying to reload rifles and there were still coons pouring out of the tree! Only knocked these three out of it but boy was it fun! I know each of the coons in the picture ate multiple rounds before they fell, one in particular took 4 before he quit trying to climb back to his hole! Tough boogers they are! I'd sure want something with a bit more thump than we had if you were going to be doing much of it!
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Anything if you hit the head. 22mag or 223 if you are shooting for body. In either case you want a semi auto, youll find a not so perfect shot will hardly slow them down sometimes and a quick follow up is needed.
 
GC said:
If there are two of you the best of both worlds can be had. A shotgun and a rifle on each stand is a beautiful thing. A .22 Magnum is great coon medicine as is any heavy field load of #4 birdshot from a 20 - 12 gauge shotgun. I like improved modified, or full chokes in my shotgun. If I am alone I use a shotgun. Coons can be pretty tough, if you hit one and it doesn't fold up add more lead to it.
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Do you think the shotgun noise keeps other coons from coming to the call, after a shot vs. a rifle? :unsure:
Personally, I'd rather use the shotgun for quick follow-up shots and the added power. (y)
 
Satori Bowhunter said:
Do you think the shotgun noise keeps other coons from coming to the call, after a shot vs. a rifle? :unsure:
Personally, I'd rather use the shotgun for quick follow-up shots and the added power. (y)
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I don't think that coons are as sensitive to sound as other critters. The kids were shooting HMR's in the pic above and dumped 20 rounds between the two of them and coons were still coming. We were sat about 20 yards or so from the tree and the call was right in front of us toward the tree. Maybe something with a bigger noise than the boys' guns would have an effect but they sure made plenty of it between shooting, laughing and hollering!
 
shotguns dont bother coons in a cut cornfield. i walked down the edge between the woods and a cut cornfield, shining a red light into the field, when i got close enough to a coon (about 35 or so yards) i shot it, i killed 7 in one night all in the same 100 yard stretch.
 
BBK said:
they dont care about shotgun shot when calling out of dens. I use lead BB and it does very well
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I've always used #4 buckshot, for coyotes, but I think your idea of BB size shot would work better for coons. More pellets in the pattern and plenty of knock down power in a 3" shell. (y) I have a Mossberg 940 that will not allow any escapees. :sneaky:
 
bowhunter57 said:
I've always used #4 buckshot, for coyotes, but I think your idea of BB size shot would work better for coons. More pellets in the pattern and plenty of knock down power in a 3" shell. (y) I have a Mossberg 940 that will not allow any escapees. :sneaky:
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I use 4B too, but the BB offers substantially more pellets. They fall stoned out of the tree, they dont even kick
 
The old lead goose loads of #2 shot are about perfect. Those are hard to find nowadays. Remington still catalogs #2 lead shells. A short mag 2 3/4" turkey load of #4's or a heavy pheasant field load from a full choke smokes them perfectly.
 
GC said:
The old lead goose loads of #2 shot are about perfect. Those are hard to find nowadays. Remington still catalogs #2 lead shells. A short mag 2 3/4" turkey load of #4's or a heavy pheasant field load from a full choke smokes them perfectly.
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I have a few of the Winchester XX Super in 2 3/4" shells, in #2 shot. They hit like a freight train! :sneaky: Wish I could find another box of them in 3".
I have yet to try out some turkey chokes on this 940, but I'm sure it will be impressive. :cool:
 
bowhunter57 said:
I have a few of the Winchester XX Super in 2 3/4" shells, in #2 shot. They hit like a freight train! :sneaky: Wish I could find another box of them in 3".
I have yet to try out some turkey chokes on this 940, but I'm sure it will be impressive. :cool:
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