Need some rimfire help......

[Keith in Ga]

on a 17 HMR or 22 mag. I've never owned anything but 22 lr, but looking to buy something to hunt coyotes on our state WMA's. Regs won't allow anything but rimfire or shotguns (or muzzleloader) at the times I want to hunt. There is an outside chance I may get to shoot pd's this year with a rimfire (if we drive). So, I need suggestions for a coyote/pd rimfire in 17 or 22. I've located a decent deal on a Sako Quad, anyone had any experience with them?
Appreciate any help.........

[Rick in Oregon]

Coyotes with a rimfire? Guess you could, but it doesn't answer if you should.....

With that in mind, the best rimfire for coyotes would be a 22WMR (22 Mag). It has a heavier bullet = more penetration in the larger critter. Any rimfire will kill a coyote, but consider the 22WMR for more energy. I'd also keep those shots inside 50 yards to avoid wounded coyotes running about.

The 17HMR is great on small varmints, has killed coyotes, but not ideally suited for the task. Should you go that route, shoot only the 20gr Hornady load for the extra penetration it offers in that caliber.

In the end, you'd be better armed for the task with a shotgun and some #4 Buck.......but that's just me.

[stevecrea]

Keith,

I would definitely agree with Rick, above.

The .22 WMR has quite a bit more killing power than the .17 HMR, and this is a big issue with coyotes. They are very tough, and it is not ethical to go after them with less than adequate firepower. Of course, the .17 HMR will work, as will the .22 WMR, but I consider neither of them adequate and humane for coyotes. I observed a poor wounded coyote just the other day, perhaps shot with a rimfire in the hind quarters. It will probably die of exposure, infection, or starvation.

As for squirrels and prairie dogs, the .17 HMR is exceptional, and much fun.

I have not had experience with the Sako Quad, but I would predict that it is high quality, and of course, gives you all four of the major rimfires.

[RAMOS]

Sounds like a pretty stupid regulation to me, to put it bluntly. I would go with a 12 gauge and pay very close attention to distance.

[Keith in Ga]

The regulation for sure needs updating. You can't use buckshot on WMA's either! Rick, my original idea was to just carry my turkey gun and turkey loads, cause about all the calling will be in the woods. But........you know an old gun man will never overlook the reason to buy another gun! Maybe I just need a rimfire pd gun, and during it's off time, shoot paper.

[RAMOS]

Keith,
I would never suggest that you pass up the opportunity to add another gun (or two ) to the collection! I think we agree that this reg. is somewhat unjust to the coyote and creates a potential for making the hunter look like the bad guy because he (she) is handicapped by prohibiting centerfire arms. Curious, is this in an area that would create a safety issue using a larger rifle?

[Keith in Ga]

RAMOS, safety is definately not a consideration on the cal's for WMA's. The state is scared to let you carry a centerfire outside of deer hunts.....afraid you'll shoot a deer. It's legal to kill coyotes and wild hogs during small game seasons on WMA's, but the state won't permit the use of a suitable cal to hunt them. This opens the door for a lot of animals to be shot, but not killed (in a humane manner). Coyotes and hogs are a big threat to the wildlife and habitat here in Ga, but the state can't think (out of the box) to try to permit hunters to help with their control.
I'm a retired game warden, here in Ga, so I have a pretty good understanding of the states thought (or not) process. For years, the violators gun of choice for killing deer and bears was a .22 magnum. There have been hundreds of deer spotlighted and killed out of season with a .22 mag, but it is legal to use them on WMA's.......go figure.
My solution would be to CATCH the violators, and don't try to regulate the legal hunters to death!

[Captqc]

Keith, I saw a Sako Quad in the Bass Pro Shop Phoenix on a recent visit and I was very impressed with the quality of this rifle. If you think about getting four rifles in one then the cost makes sense (I think it was around $1,500). If you can score a good deal on it I would go ahead (after all it's almost Christmas!) Gary

[RAMOS]

Keith,
Another possible solution to consider would be to move West of the Rockies but, avoid California! Seriously though, we seem to have lost some of the freedoms in Oregon that we took for granted.

[K22]

Keith,

Here in NC we had the same type of hunting regulation. Recently they did make some changes to it. Anyway, I've used a 22mag. when the law required it, on Coyote for many years now. The round that worked well for me on Fox also worked very good on Coyote. The Win. Super X 40gr. hp.. Also, I own 2 Sako Quads. One is the synthetic model and the other is the Hunter model. They are absolutely outstanding. Accuracy with the 22mag. barrel exceeds my Anschutz.




Like most others, I hate the rimfire only law, but when your stuck with it, you do what you gotta do. I'm not sure what your hunting terrain is like, but here where I'm at a 50yd. shot is considered long with 20yd. or closer shots more the normal. A well placed 22mag. 40gr. hp. will do the job.