What is the best gun for taking out coyote?

[Trish1974]

Having a daytime problem with coyotes here. Saw one at 1:30 in the afternoon on Saturday. He was chasing two of my cats out of the woods and followed them right up to the house. Was able to get one shot at him...but got him in the hip. Not a kill shot but hopefully enough to dissuade him from coming that close again. Tuesday evening saw a different coyote, a HUGE one, on my property but stalking the neighbor's calf. Luckily he was so focused on the calf I got a shoulder shot and a head shot on him. Pretty sure he crashed and died in the marsh.

This was with my .22LR. I am using hollow points. I know this isn't a "preferred" caliber for coyote. The only other gun I have is .357 magnum revolver. I've talked to a handful of people that either suggested a .17 or .223. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of these guns, or what you would recommend for taking out coyote? I prefer semi automatic, with not a lot of kick. (I do NOT want anything bolt-action). Thanks!

 

[roosterhavoc]

.223 definitely. You’ll be able find a bunch relatively cheap. Easier to find and cheaper bullets too.
12 gauge shotguns are good too for up close with a full choke and predator loads. #4 buck, T, B, BB all lead or heavier than lead stuff. No steel.

For smaller stuff .22 CCI stingers are much better than standard .22 ammo

 

[Col1948]

You can't kill them, the Roadrunner has tried lots of times lol.

Beep Beep.

 

[RollTideChicken]

Having a daytime problem with coyotes here. Saw one at 1:30 in the afternoon on Saturday. He was chasing two of my cats out of the woods and followed them right up to the house. Was able to get one shot at him...but got him in the hip. Not a kill shot but hopefully enough to dissuade him from coming that close again. Tuesday evening saw a different coyote, a HUGE one, on my property but stalking the neighbor's calf. Luckily he was so focused on the calf I got a shoulder shot and a head shot on him. Pretty sure he crashed and died in the marsh.

This was with my .22LR. I am using hollow points. I know this isn't a "preferred" caliber for coyote. The only other gun I have is .357 magnum revolver. I've talked to a handful of people that either suggested a .17 or .223. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of these guns, or what you would recommend for taking out coyote? I prefer semi automatic, with not a lot of kick. (I do NOT want anything bolt-action). Thanks!

As you proved with the second coyote, shot placement matters most. I just use my 30-06 but I only see them in my hunting fields. I could kill them within 100yrds with my .22 and would if the opportunity presented itself. I agree with @roosterhavoc that a .223 is an all around great round for coyote killin', but a hip shot with a .223 will still possibly leave him alive.

 

[WestoftheRest]

I've talked to a handful of people that either suggested a .17 or .223. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of these guns, or what you would recommend for taking out coyote? I prefer semi automatic, with not a lot of kick. (I do NOT want anything bolt-action). Thanks!

AR-15 checks all your needs and then some!
.223/556
Semi automatic
No kick

 

[Amatsuhono]

AR-15 checks all your needs and then some!
.223/556
Semi automatic
No kick

Absolutely this, Coyotes, wild hogs, any sort of predator this is my preferred. Shot placement is important, and .223 is a light round so you'll have to account for wind like you would a .22 LR.

 

[Trish1974]

As you proved with the second coyote, shot placement matters most.

The hip shot was not intentional. I was caught off guard and shaking like a leaf...actually had his shoulder in the scope but somehow got the hip.
Second time I cheated and leaned my barrel up against a tree.

 

[kwhites634]

Having a daytime problem with coyotes here. Saw one at 1:30 in the afternoon on Saturday. He was chasing two of my cats out of the woods and followed them right up to the house. Was able to get one shot at him...but got him in the hip. Not a kill shot but hopefully enough to dissuade him from coming that close again. Tuesday evening saw a different coyote, a HUGE one, on my property but stalking the neighbor's calf. Luckily he was so focused on the calf I got a shoulder shot and a head shot on him. Pretty sure he crashed and died in the marsh.

This was with my .22LR. I am using hollow points. I know this isn't a "preferred" caliber for coyote. The only other gun I have is .357 magnum revolver. I've talked to a handful of people that either suggested a .17 or .223. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of these guns, or what you would recommend for taking out coyote? I prefer semi automatic, with not a lot of kick. (I do NOT want anything bolt-action). Thanks!

Savage makes a nice .243 with less kick than my 12ga or 30/30. Some call it a beginner's or lady's rifle. It'll put a coyote down with no problem. I use one to hunt deer.

 

[Howard E]

A lot of factors for you to consider. First would be how congested is your neighborhood? I live on 10 acres, and most surrounding properties are the same or larger. There is almost no direction I could safely shoot a center fire rifle (even a .223) or even a .22 rim fire safely without worry of what it might hit in the distance those bullets are able to travel. Likely as not I would be shooting in the direction of someone's house or them if they are out and about in the yard or on their property. Or their horse or cattle. At my folks' farm, properties are 80 acres and up, so far fewer houses to shoot at, but even then, you have to be aware of what is in the background and know where you can and can't shoot.....at least with rifles.

On the other hand, I could safely shoot a shotgun loaded with buckshot almost anywhere.

So as to buckshot or BB's or any of the heavier lead loads, how close can you get to a coyote? If within 30 yards, even a dinky little .410 shotgun loaded with buckshot is potent medicine on a coyote. Each round pumping out 3X to 5X what your .22 sends out. And they start to spread out from the center of your aiming point, so there is greater margin of error on a fast moving target at short range. If you can handle the heft, a 20 gauge is much more weapon with many more shot and weapon options. A 5 shot auto with the plug out and loaded with #4 or 00 buckshot is going to do some serious harm out to 30 to 40 yards.

Back to rifles, effective range goes up, but so does margin of error. Very tough for all but the most skilled marksman to hit fast moving targets with a rifle at any distance. With a .223 like one of the AR15 options, temptation is to empty a clip on them, spraying bullets all over the place. Both dangerous and generally not very effective. The trick with coyotes is to not shoot at them while moving. Follow them and wait......they invariably will stop, turn sideways and look back to see if harm is following. If downrange is clear and safe, that is when you shoot. That is your one shot, one kill chance. .223 is one option, but so are others up to about .243. Not much recoil until you get to that level. At a distance, you will likely need a scope. And of course, whatever the choice, you need a bit of practice to be effective.

 

[Col1948]

Absolutely this, Coyotes, wild hogs, any sort of predator this is my preferred. Shot placement is important, and .223 is a light round so you'll have to account for wind like you would a .22 LR.

Forgive my ignorance as I'm in the UK, if you shoot a wild hog can you eat them?