Proper shot on a coyote

I was thinking of taking a rifle with me when I check my trail cameras this winter, I go out every 10 days or so and I have seen a few coyotes.
I read a few earlier posts regarding the price of hides, and referrence to good hides and damaged ones.

So is the best shot a head shot ? I guess it would be as none of the main body would be damaged. Is a damaged hide one with a tear or just bullet holes ?
How about bullet and rifle.
I have a 7 mm mag, a 30-30 and a rem 35. And a few 22's.
I guess I don't rally have a good varmint gun yet.

GPo

GP0, I head shot would not be my choice but with your choice of calibers......?? I use a 25-06 and regularly shoot up to 400 yds, aim for lung area. I shot a fox's head clean off once and was told at the fur auction they didn't want the pelt as they felt it wouldn't survive the tumbler. Really close ones I use a .22 Mag. Would like to try 22-250 but I am not convinced it can handle the job at long ranges (that'll start an argument). I want them knocked down dead !!
Oh, yeah, here's the headless one !!

<a href="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=79135&c=542&z=1" title="Hosted Free at Hunt101.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.hunt101.com/img/079135.jpg" border="0"></a>

Thanks BM.

GPo

I guess it depends on what you want to do with the coyote. Hopefully, you want to keep the hide. In that case you'll want some type of varmint gun with loads that will not damage the hide. I use a .17 remington, and have found this to be an incredible gun for killing coyotes with little to minimal pelt damage. I shoot behind the shoulder and mid body(in terms of up and down.

Thanks Prdtrgttr,
What is the max range you would try a shot with the .17 ?
Just wondering about accuracy.

GPo

Hi GPo!
That's an interesting question you pose. The 17 will be as accurate as any other rifle you'll shoot. It's easy to shoot b/c of its lack of recoil.
Now I know you can make a ballistics chart tell you almost anything, but typically, a 25gr 4000 fps muzzle velocity, 17 caliber pill, that's sighted in for 2.3 inches high at 100yds, reaches its highest point at 200yds where it will be 3.5 inches high, at 250 its still +2.5 and then 0 at 300, 350 is -4 and 400 is -11.
However, the chances of you reliably killing a coyote decreases significantly once you pass the 300 yd mark, the bullet definitely will do the job, but the likelihood of error increases dramatically after that 250 or so mark.
There will be lots of guys who will tell you about their long range shooting, meaning 300 +, but I am here to tell you that that is more fantasy than fact. I believe many people shoot at coyotes past the 300 range, in the hopes of just landing a bullet on the animal, and then finishing up later; this is where the advocates of the bigger is better come in.
Most of my coyotes b/c of the nature of the open country I live in are shot at ranges under 150 yds, when I hunt in central Alberta, that range decreases by about 70 yds or so.
I am not a drive, tumble and roll coyote shooter, I call my coyotes, take my time, and 9out of 10 times shoot a stationary broadside coyote.
I know I have been long winded here, but I am very passionate about this subject.
In perfect conditions, with a good rest, either prone or on my shooting sticks, I have and will take a 300 yd shot on a coyote; provided I know the distance; generally though, I feel I can call them closer than that.

Just wondering what kind of factory ammo you are using in that .17 HMR,also what type and brand of gun are you using ?

338
This is a 17 Remington, a centrefire cartridge,I am referring to. I wouldn't dream about shooting a coyote with the 17 HMR. My gun is a 700 BDL, but I have been eyeing up the new LVSF in a 700 BDL.

Great post, Prdtgttr. I agree completely with the fantasy yardage, lots of guys seem to have elastic tape measures LOL. I have a 300-yard spot measured and marked on my range, but I have had guys tell me that it is as much as 500. Strange, huh?
Curious about your opinion of the 17HMR? If you place the bullet correctly, and stay away from long shots, there seems to be enough energy to kill a coyote. There's a few guys posting on Coyotegods using it as we speak, but they do say that the CCI ammo seems a bit more suited.

Hi Cable guy! Great handle by the way and thanks for the kudos. Although I have never used the 17 hhmr, I would never use it for coyotes. If you asked the Coyote God himself, he would trash this notion in an instance. If you'v some time do a search on that board for the 22 magnum.:rollin

Prdtrgttr- I did the search and came away much smarter! Your right, ol' John Henry hasn't much good to say for little bullets from rimfires LOL. A little disapointed, 'cause I am the proud owner of a 17, and just love to shoot it. My 12-yr old is now a member of the "pink mist" society from his work with the gophers in the far pasture. I thought I might try calling again and see what happens on a coyote, but I'm rethinking it. Likely will stick with snares.

Prdtgttr makes a number of good points. I shoot 55 grain Nosler ballistic tips in my 26" heavy barrel 22.250. There are only two shots to take, one with the coyote directly facing you, hit em squarely in the chest, Rare is the time you will find an exit hole, so max fur value. Second is exactly broadside, hit em in the widest part of the body, half way up. The area behind the shoulder is too small, and you might clip a front leg. Have a hard look at the first one you skin, without its' clothes on. The target is the size of a tennis ball, the rest is fur. I sight in 1/4" high at 100 yards, allowing dead on aim out to about 250 yards, this way I don't ruin hides on close, easy shots due to a high hit, ie. the backbone. I too am passionate about this, and have been at it for a good long time. Hope this helps, and good luck.

Regards,

Critter

Contrary to your post, shots over 300 yards are not uncommon or fantasy. I hunt coyotes with hounds and see a lot of 300+ yard shots. Especially with a calliber like a 243 or 6mm packed with a nice target scope and bipod. With practice and a good understanding of your scope settings and yardage estimating you would surprise yourself. With a caliber of this size shot placement can be off a little and it is still a quick humane kill. The 55 grain noslers do an excellent job with minimal hide damage

Well, whatever you shoot 'em with, at whatever ranges, please fellas place those shots with surgical precision. So far I have skinned 5 coyotes that had been shot some time prior to hitting my snares. What a mess they were! Testimony to the incredible toughness of my favorite animal.
Chaser, that combination sounds like it would be able to reach out there all right. My cousin used a .243 to call in a bunch of them back in the 70s, when our coyotes were simple, unsophisticated things that had never heard a call lol. What part of the province do you hunt?

I shoot a 223 and it dropes the coyote from 500 yards:x

I just got this new 270 winchester and it is the best gun every but there was this coyote about 200 yards away and i shot it with 130 grain bullets and it but a huge hole in it about a size of a baseball.