Firearms Advice - Coyote Problem (Vanity)

Vanity ^ | 12/09/2007 | Moose Dung

[Moose Dung]

Sorry for posting this in the main area, but I need some advice quickly.

Over the past few weeks I've been having a real coyote problem. We're in the San Joaquin Valley and have always had issues with the coyotes, but this year seems to be expecially bad (even traveling in small packs, which I've never seen before). I need some recommendations on the proper weapon to deal with these varmints.

[piytar]

If you go .223, may I suggest an Armalite AR-180B, if still legal in Cali. Easy to shoot, not too costly, fairly accurate, easy to clean, and an improved action over most ARs that tends to stay cleaner over use. Be sure of what’s behind the coyote, though - those .223 rounds go a ways...

[beebuster2000]

30 yards and under, 12 gauge with a 3in turkey load.

over 30 yards: .22-250. sweet shooting and can rach out to 300 yards no problem.

[Hacksaw]

I need some recommendations on the proper weapon to deal with these varmints.

One of these should do the job:

[Hacksaw]

Actually, after hitting 2 deer within a month on the way home from work, I am not really in favor of eliminating predators that much....

[Charles Martel]

The problem with the .22 is that I need it at night, the coyotes move pretty quick, and I’m on foot with my maglite.

If you're shooting within the range of your flashlight beam, I'd try to stick with a rimfire. If you have neighbors a half-mile away, a centerfire rifle caliber might have more reach than you (and your neighbors) would like.

I'd do as suggested in #37 above and put a laser sight on that Marlin. At 30 yards or so, the projected red dot will be large enough to see and use to great effect. Those sights are generally cheaper than the optical red dot type and would work well on most rifles or shotguns.

Grab one of those "rabbit in distress" recordings from a sporting goods supplier and bait 'em in to where you can get a clear shot. And be sure to report back here with your results. :-)

[Varmint Al]

If the coyotes are coming in to the 30 to 40 yard range, then a 12 Ga Semi-Auto shotgun would be the best choice. I would suggest BB sized shot or larger so you would be assured of a hit to the vitals. Most would be shots at running coyotes and a shotgun would work best.


If the coyotes are at longer ranges out to 150 yards, I would suggest a 17 HMR. It will kill them but about half of the well hit coyotes will be able to run off and die somewhere else. In my experience the 17 HMR is lethal on coyotes but is underpowered for reliable on the spot kills. With the 17 HMR, the noise level is a minimum and once the tiny 17 gr bullet hits the ground it disintegrate and minimizes the possibility of ricochets. 

If you want to drop the coyotes in their tracks, then a 223 Rem or 243 Win caliber would be my choice. I would suggest the 55 gr bullet in the 223 Rem and the 80 gr bullet in the 243 Win calibers. Each pack plenty of energy to reliably drop a coyote. At the longer ranges, you will need a scope sight on any rifle you choose. I would suggest a 3-9X scope. I would leave the scope on 3X power and then for a long distance standing shot, if you have time, switch to the 9X power.

The Remington Model 7 in 223 Rem or 243 Win caliber would be a good choice.

You might want to consider calling the coyotes into range for shooting. On my Coyote Hunting Page I have a number of coyote calling sounds, Hurt Rabbit or Chicken in Distress, for example, that are free downloads. One can burn them to a CD and use a Boom-Box for calling or something similar. Calling them has the advantage that the coyotes will come to the sound expecting a free dinner when you are ready for them. To help in accurate shooting you can make a pair of Bi-Fur-Pod shooting stick for a rest in the field.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[mamelukesabre]

A little off topic...but I hear a pig is the best thing for getting rid of poisonous snakes. Pigs like to eat snakes, poisonous our not.

[Rockhound]

I love the Swede Mausers! If I was to go coyote hunting, I would probably grab my deer rifle, which is a Swede Mauser action restocked on a nice walnut stock with a 6x Leopold (I made this rifle up years ago, when barreled actions were dirt cheap).

I understand your reluctance to scope a milsurp, but are you aware that someone makes a scout mount for these rifles? You remove the rear sight, and the mount replaces it. I don’t know firsthand if they are any good or not, but it does provide a no-tap option.

[ridesthemiles]

If shooting is dicey- Get an adult male Great Pyrennes dog. (sp)
They are herd guard dogs and despite their size and VERY gentle nature, they will take down a coyote. If the packs are large, then perhaps the gun is the best. Packs can bring down any dog. My neighbor has a Great P and it kept the coyote population away for about a mile radius. It’s owner had rabbits, sheep, and horses. When they moved to the Midwest, the neighbors looked askance at the dog’s size until he went after openly lurking coyotes in the middle of the day. NOw he is the hero of the area.

[Moose Dung]

Al,

Thanks for the advice. I’ve been checkin’ out your website, too. One question, why the BB shot? Most the of other FReepers are suggesting 00 or 000 slugs.

dung.

[DugwayDuke]

I really don’t know about pigs and snakes but considering the mess pigs make I’m not sure I’d keep them around for snakes. I do get a few snakes on my property. So far the best thing I’ve seen for keeping poisonous snakes away is made by Remington.

[Hazcat]

Mossburg 500 or Remmy 870 (Look at the pawn shops and used guns at dealers).

I say go with 12 gauge and use Remington Controlled recoil buck shot ( or Hornady TAP ammo).

You then have a gun that can do just about anything from rabbits to T-Rex with the proper load.

“12 gauge - accept no substitute”

[Varmint Al]

LEAD SHOT

  Shot number        diameter (inches)          diameter (mm)   approx no. of 
                                                                 pellets in 1 oz.
_______________|_____________________|________________|_________________
               |                     |                |
 000 BUCK      |         .36         |      9.14      |        6.2
               |                     |                |
  00 BUCK      |         .33         |      8.38      |          8
               |                     |                |
   0 BUCK      |         .32         |      8.13      |          9
               |                     |                |
   1 BUCK      |         .30         |      7.62      |         11
               |                     |                |
   2 BUCK      |         .27         |      6.86      |         15
               |                     |                |
   3 BUCK      |         .25         |      6.35      |         19
               |                     |                |
   4 BUCK      |         .24         |      6.10      |         21 
               |                     |                |
     BB        |         .18         |      4.57      |         50
               |                     |                |
      2        |         .148        |      3.76      |         90
               |                     |                |
      4        |         .129        |      3.28      |        135
               |                     |                |
      5        |         .120        |      3.05      |        170
               |                     |                |
      6        |         .109        |      2.77      |        225
               |                     |                |
      7.5      |         .094        |      2.39      |        350
               |                     |                |
      8        |         .089        |      2.26      |        410
               |                     |                |
      8.5      |         .085        |      2.16      |        470
               |                     |                |
      9        |         .079        |      2.01      |        585
               |                     |                |
     12        |         .05         |      1.3       |       2300
_______________|_____________________|________________|_________________

With a typical 1-1/4 oz 12 ga load you would get:

BB = 62 pellets
OO=10 pellets
OOO=7 pellets

With so few pellets in both OO and OOO buckshot loads, the chance of hitting a vital area on a coyote at 40 yards is much less than with BB shot. I think you will have a better chance of killing the coyotes with BB shot, but they might be able to run off after being hit however they will not be able to come back.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[yarddog]

There are few if any guns more effective at closer range than a 12 gauge pump or auto-loader. The only problem is they are totally useless beyond perhaps 70 yards and not really effective beyond maybe 35.

Not that I would be willing to let someone shoot at me from a hundred.

[-=SoylentSquirrel=-]

Keep in mind the importance of using the proper bait. That's her on the upper right.

Just kidding; I love her a lot.

[Moose Dung]

Al,

Good stuff! Now that I’ve been edumacated a bit, I think I can pay my local gun shop a visit. I’ll let you know how things turn out.

dung.

[chemicalman]

That’ll come in handy for the coyotes in my area. In a subdivision, field on other side of golf course, night vision, and no noise except for a buzz. Wake up in the morning to burning coyote flesh.

[marktwain]

Thanks for the advice. I’ve been checkin’ out your website, too. One question, why the BB shot? Most the of other FReepers are suggesting 00 or 000 slugs.

Because for coyotes, you really don’t need bigger than BB. I think federal makes some dynamite “Dead Coyote” loads were they use “heavyshot” T loads. My brother says that they are true 60 yard coyote loads.

I think that they are what you need. They would be for a 12 guage.

[marktwain]

Hear is a link to the Heavyshot Dead Coyote loads:

http://www.hevishot.com/products_dead_coyote_info.html

[Moose Dung]

I haven’t been to my local gun shop yet. Do you think I can get those local (Calif)?

dung.