Does anyone intentionally hunt coyotes with a handgun? What are you using?

I have a couple of XP's and contender barrels in appropriate calibers and was thinking of setting up a coyote specific rig.

Who has been there and done that?

I have used a .243 Savage Striker,and a 6mm T/CU Contender so far. I currently have a 15" .243 T/C Encore that I hope to smack a Coyote or two with this winter.

Larry

I hunted coyotes in north-east Nevada using my FA 454 which ,for me, is a inside 100 yard handgun. If i were going coyote hunting tomorrow I would bring a single shot handgun in the appropriate
caliber for the longer shots. Western coyote hunting is great.
Here in the east they have to much to eat and can be very difficult to call. Good luck and good hunting, James
PS- lucked out and took one with a S&W 22mag kit gun.

Yes, I use an XP also. I just got back from a short trip to Afghanistan and can't wait to coyote hunting!

I shot one with a 22-250 in an Encore. It didn’t move. Another I shot with a 270 Win pistol out of my bow stand. I was very surprised to see it. I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot one with my 22Hornet, however, I don’t think I would do it over 150 yards.

Duane

.270 and 30/06 encore, Desert Eagle .44, not because I needed that much gun in any of the cases, but you can't beat the first 2 for longer ranges to practice up for deer season, and the Desert Eagle is just fun when you get a couple of them up-close and personal!

Thanks guys! I am going to use an XP in 22-250. I am going to put a fixed 2X scope on it for right now. (The only scope I have available.) Should be fine for Eastern coyotes.

I will put a Leupold 2.5-8X when funds allow. Then it will have double duty as a woodchuck gun.

Thinking about using a 50gr. Ballistic tip. Any thoughts?

No agonizing here, my 6.5 JDJ with 120 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips, especially when the wind is blowing post holes out of the ground! Mine wears a 2x6 Bushnell. At about 2450 fps, it's my do-all barrel for anything smaller than bear. I carry that particular barrel in calm or wind, even if it is a tad heavy for coyote's, we have Cougar up here in WA. Can't see trying to nail one on a once in a lifetime chance with a .223. Were it not for the cougar thing, my .223 barrel, hands down.

D'Keyman (Non Sibi Sed Patriae, Not Self But Country)

Keyman is right on the money. I`ve seen handgunners with the
6.5JDJ make some spectacular shots on all sort`s of small to medium game.JFJ

I like my 15" Encore in 308 with a 125gr Nosler Partition and Bushnell 2-6 scope. If it get's too fast and furious I resort to my Glock Model 20 in 10mm with 165gr Nosler bullets.

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