.22 WMR - Adequate for coyotes?

Keep the shots inside 100 yards use a good bullet and only broad side shots. My kids have killed several over the years with a 22 mag but we have lost a couple. I've lost a few with my 220 swift also, bad shots happen no matter what you use.
 
I've killed a bunch with a .22mag shootin them in the head and neck within 100 yards. Mostly with CCI 30 grain green bullets.

The worst trouble with any rimfire is ammo reliability in my opinion. I've had a few coyotes get away from having it go snap instead of boom.
 
Both us walked-out last night with Rimfires . Two dogs last night both with .22 Mag. . one hanging right around 104 yard area. The other was right at 138-140 yrd. line.
1st dog took two shots . Second dog took one shot just behind left shoulder, sprinted hard for about 20 yards and flopped over.
Fact.. Rimfires just don't have the juice that centerfire rifle has . basic rule try to keep it inside 100 yrd. . and 50 yard for sub-suppressed rimfire rifle . 'know' you rifle' and solid with knowing it's POI zero at ranges.
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I doubt anyone will deny a 22 mag won't kill coyotes, there are just better options. If that's all you got or what's in hand at the time, by all means use it.
 
Most here would agree that generally speaking, a 40gr WMR max effective range is about 50-100 yards. And a 40gr 223Rem max effective range is about 300 yards.

With similar 40gr bullets:
22WMR point blank is the same impact velocity as 223Rem at 400 yards. :oops:
22WMR at 50 yards is the same impact velocity as 223Rem at 450 yards.
22WMR at 100 yards is the same impact velocity as 223Rem at 500 yards.

.Yikes!
 
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A .22 mag will kill Coyotes when everything goes right, but you are better off using a caliber that works when something goes wrong. Murl B.
 
Its all about shot placement and range.
Some guys say a 22lr isnt enough for a squirrel past 50 yards and some guys shoot them with 22cal air rifles with 1/8 the energy.

Some say you need a 30cal for deer hunting and some guys are getting it done with 223 (and 22mag).

Some guys say you need a 270 for hogs and guys are killing them with 22lr.

It will work as good as anything if you can get a good broadside shot on a coyote sub 100yds and you have a good enough scope, good enough rest, and are a good enough shooter to put that 30-40gr bullet right where it needs to be. Howeve, theres no room for error so if you miss the extreme vitals you arent dropping that yote like you will with a more explosive round with more energy (223, 22-250, 243).
 
Have killed a couple with a .22 mag and a .17HMR. All called in close with a Foxpro. The .22 mag has more anchoring power than the .17 HMR, although I wouldn’t trust either past 60-70 yards.

Attached is a pic of a coyote I shot at 50 yards with my CZ 452 in .17 HMR. Was a perfect broadside shot with a 17 gr vmax. Coyote did the classic spin and ran 50 yards. Typical results for both calibers.

IMG_0438.jpeg
 
Buckhead said:
Have killed a couple with a .22 mag and a .17HMR. All called in close with a Foxpro. The .22 mag has more anchoring power than the .17 HMR, although I wouldn’t trust either past 60-70 yards.

Attached is a pic of a coyote I shot at 50 yards with my CZ 452 in .17 HMR. Was a perfect broadside shot with a 17 gr vmax. Coyote did the classic spin and ran 50 yards. Typical results for both calibers.
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That's a pretty little rifle Buckhead. And a really little coyote! Lol... Even micro-yotes are tough to anchor with the 17 HMR.
 
hunt0168 said:
That's a pretty little rifle Buckhead. And a really little coyote! Lol... Even micro-yotes are tough to anchor with the 17 HMR.
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Yeah, it was a juvenile. The .22 mag definitely has more thump, but the HMR will also work with a well placed shot.

I often take my .22 mag or HMR when I am trying to call raccoons. If no takers, I play coyote vocals on the Foxpro. Sometimes it works.
 
I have a Heckler & Koch Model 300 in 22WMR that I have had since about 1980, just prior to the semi auto ban. It has polygonal rifling and it hits very hard. I have only every used Winchester 40 gr HP ammunition.
I used mine a lot years ago when we had a lot of red fox here. It was my short range calling rifle. It was lethal on the fox. I remember one fox coming in and held up about 60 yards out and sat down on its haunches and just looked straight at me. I hit him square in the chest and it literally lifted him off his hind end and flopped him on his back.
I have shot coyotes with mine and like many others have said, hit them right and it will do the job but there are much better calibers for coyotes and this one is just one of many in my arsenal.
They are a lot of fun to shoot though and are great for fox, racoons, beaver, muscrat, skunks etc. I occasionally take mine out if I know I am going to be calling in an area where the topography lends itself to shots within 150 yards.
 
I wish I still had my H&K 300! It put a LOT of foxes down in Alaska in the '80's!

Like most have said; it will do the job, but there are better coyote calibers. I still use a 22 mag or 17 HMR if I'm calling in a spot where I might get a bobcat to come in, and the range is short. They are awesome for bobcat.

A good friend of mine has a butcher shop, and uses a 22mag for everything. It will kill a big bull, or a huge hog, but that's a frontal brain, or down the ear canal shot.
 
I have probably only ever shot 50 rounds of 22 mag in my life. They were all out of an old Ruger Single Six. Always seemed to be an expensive round to shoot. I guess with the price of ammo anymore, They're not as pricey as I used to think they were, comparatively. I have always been a huge fan of the "little" cals for coyote, often opting for a .17 cal over the .22's. We have killed the majority of coyotes the last several years with 17hmr, wsm and hornet. Maybe it's time I bought myself a decent 22 mag to try out as well? I don't know if it has any real advantage over the other calibers I use but I don't see any problem with having one anyway!:)
 
Samsquanch said:
I have probably only ever shot 50 rounds of 22 mag in my life. They were all out of an old Ruger Single Six. Always seemed to be an expensive round to shoot. I guess with the price of ammo anymore, They're not as pricey as I used to think they were, comparatively. I have always been a huge fan of the "little" cals for coyote, often opting for a .17 cal over the .22's. We have killed the majority of coyotes the last several years with 17hmr, wsm and hornet. Maybe it's time I bought myself a decent 22 mag to try out as well? I don't know if it has any real advantage over the other calibers I use but I don't see any problem with having one anyway!:)
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For yotes it has no advantage over your 17wsm. Its just a fun caliber that can take small/medium varmint up close. Great coon and fox round.

Hornady 30gr are about $16 for 50rd.
 
I have had my H&K Model 300 for many years, since about 1975. It a sweet shooter. It likes 40gr Win or CCI 40hp's
But I don't use that rifle for my rifle of opportunity. It's too Valuable. I've shot many foxes with it when I was younger.
Now a days for my truck, UTV, tractor rifle I use a Rossi 22 mag 10 shot semiauto. It's a shooter. Loves Fiocchi 40gr hp's. I've shot several coyotes, skunks, beaver, Badger many Coons, with that 22 mag. I have a Henry too & carry in mostly in my UTV. A 22 mag will surprise you because you can put the bullet where you want.
 
dennyd said:
I have had my H&K Model 300 for many years, since about 1975. It a sweet shooter. It likes 40gr Win or CCI 40hp's
But I don't use that rifle for my rifle of opportunity. It's too Valuable. I've shot many foxes with it when I was younger.
Now a days for my truck, UTV, tractor rifle I use a Rossi 22 mag 10 shot semiauto. It's a shooter. Loves Fiocchi 40gr hp's. I've shot several coyotes, skunks, beaver, Badger many Coons, with that 22 mag. I have a Henry too & carry in mostly in my UTV. A 22 mag will surprise you because you can put the bullet where you want.
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Love my H&K 300 as well and you are correct, they have really gone up in price. With that polygonal rifling, they really hit hard, a lot harder that the standard rifling in most rifles.
 
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