I'll say it again because there have been so many posts on here, the .17 HMR is the way to go. It shoots flatter than a .22 Mag and is not nearly as loud as a centerfire. Within 100 yards it is deadly on coyotes and foxes and even more deadly on smaller varmints such as raccoons, possums, and groundhogs. I for one don't want to be breaking out my 22-250 everytime there is something that I need to get rid of. I do have neighbors, albeit far away, and I don't think they would appreciate the noise created by my centerfire on a regular basis. I also worry about the over carry of such high velocity rounds as my .22-250 or my .243. The .17 HMR kills everything I need it to, from Starlings to Coyotes and I can shoot golf balls with it at 150 yards, it quiet, and ammo is cheap. I've seen quite a few AR suggestion on here, and that's a pretty funny recommendation for someone who just wants to scare off some coyotes. An AR is $1000 WITHOUT Optics, a quality scope will set you back another $500, way overkill for the OP's needs.