What is the best gun for taking out coyote?

[SOHC-FTW]

223 is going to be by far the cheapest round to start with it's a good round for varmints at range, but you have options such as 25-06,6mm,6.5mm,260,22-250 etc etc. Without getting into ballistics, bullet weights, fast barrels, hand loads etc to much honestly the 243 it has the advantage over the 223 with wind, bullet weight an drop and it's also pretty common like the 223.

You can study all this an make a choice really a body couldn't go wrong with any of the above calibers and they're even more that I won't list, but some rounds do more an have the advantage over others it just depends on what the shooter is after vs cost. If you are gun shy meaning you do things just before you pull the trigger you should honestly fix that issue if you have it and always be aware of your surroundings! I personally prefer a 270 as my all around caliber especially with hand loads. If you are just out for killing varmints the majority would be hard pressed to beat the 223 it's a decent effective cheap round. Once you have chosen your cartridge focus on the make of gun and the glass this would be where I'd focus my time at the most if I was looking for a new long gun.

 

[RollTideChicken]

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.

Nah I wasn't knocking your shot at all, we've all pulled. I was pointing out that the .22 can get the job done.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

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.

Shotguns are good as long as the varmint doesn't have one of your critters in its mouth.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

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

Don't know the legal aspects, but you might want to investigate the possibility of radiological contamination from Chernobyl in your area. I know it's a problem in parts of Europe (like Bavaria) with wild hogs/boars.

 

[Amatsuhono]

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

If you want to eat them, you really need to catch them and feed them out. They're also not the cleanest, healthiest animals so you run the risk of getting sick from eating them, especially if you don't cook it properly. I shoot them because they'll get aggressive and kill livestock, even calves or adult cows if they're big and hungry enough. They'll even attack humans given the chance. I just raise a domestic pig or two a year for eating purposes.

 

[Chick-N-Daddy]

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!

The best gun is the one you are comfortable holding and can wield safely.

 

[Col1948]

Don't know the legal aspects, but you might want to investigate the possibility of radiological contamination from Chernobyl in your area. I know it's a problem in parts of Europe (like Bavaria) with wild hogs/boars.

There are no wild hogs where I live I was just curious.