Which is better self defense from a coyote?

Question

I am hiking through coyote country and I just want to be confident in my travels I am only bringing a 22 lr because IT is lightweight is 36 grain or 40 grain a more destructive round?

Answer 1

A 36 grain hollow-point will do more damage since it can expand to almost twice its original diameter, but be aware it won't penetrate as deeply. A 40 grain solid will penetrate deeper but it won't expand much at all. The choice you're making is basically a trade off since high-velocity rounds will have very similar kinetic energy loads. If you insist on using either a 36 grain hollow-point or a 40 grain solid, go with the 36 grain hollow-point since it will create a larger wound.

Your best bet for coyote protection in the .22 LR round is to use either the 32 grain CCI Stinger or the 40 grain CCI Velocitor. Both are hyper-velocity  hollow-points with almost 200 ft-lbs of energy from a rifle barrel. They cost almost double what .22 high-speed loads cost but substantially increase performance, especially against larger animals like coyote.

Answer 2

You've had several answers posted here already; most have some merit too them. You related hiking in coyote country, the area your in will affect several of these answers. For over 30 years I've hunted coyotes, wild dogs, bobcats, lions, and other varmints. The yote is by far the hardest and most challenging to hunt. Given this, I have had several encounters where coyotes have challenged me, and had one near miss with a pack. In south Texas we have a quarantine on all yotes due to rabies, in the central part of the state several goat and sheep ranchers are having issues due to the drought and lack of other food sources the yotes normally feed on. In my area of the state we have a problem with mix breeds in the pack, they will and have charged humans. For me personally a 40 cal or a 357 is going with me in coyote country.

Answer 3

You don't need to worry about coyotes.  I have been hunting in coyote country for a long time, and the only time I even think about them is after I take a shot.  If they get to my deer before I do, they will make a mess of it and might try to defend their food (very unlikely).

I have had them follow me into the woods before sun up, follow me out after dusk, and hang around while I field dress and drag a deer out.  But they stay well out of pistol range, or I would be cleaning a 'yote and taking the hide along with my deer.

They are small dogs weighing roughly 40 pounds at the top end.  An adult human should be able to kill them easily with his or her bare hands, and the coyote recognizes that.

If you want to carry something just in case, the 22 will be fine, and either load is sufficient though not ideal.  Get hollow points.  Rest easy.

Answer 4

the 40 grain is more destructive but you won't have to use it. Coyote are pretty timid especially around humans and if you even see one, count yourself lucky!

About that rock Texas Pride is offering, I'll beat his price!

Answer 5

40 gr, but coyotes are just like dogs in size, I'm sure if one attacked you you'd be able to get it off you and defend yourself no matter what you use (.22lr, rock, handgun...whatever). I doubt one would attack you unprovoked though, it's a pretty rare occurrence.

Answer 6

coyote are very cautious and solitary animal.  Its rare to see coyote at close range and would be highly unusual to face a coyote attack.

There is no need to carry a gun for coyote SELF-DEFENSE.  the links below only prove what we already know- you are only in danger if you are a small child.

Answer 7

Pepper spray that shoots long distance

Answer 8

i would be more afraid of pot growers myself

Answer 9

Plane and simple. Your hiking and worryed about weight. Use the pepper spray. Just make darn sure of the wind when you spray it or both of you will be on the ground..

To avoid them all together. Make a little noise as you walk or carry a bell on you so it will make noise. Just like you do when your hiking in bear country.

Answer 10

A coyote will only bother you if it is rabid.  The odds of you encountering a rabid coyote is about the same as you wining the powerball lottery.

Transmitted power by a bullet is weight x velocity.  You will find that the weight x velocity of the 36 and 40 gr are about equal.  The only difference between them is the 36 gr moves a bit faster and has a little less drop between 20 and 50 yards.

The best all around 22lr for coyote is the CCI Stinger.  However, I have seen fox and coyote hit square hard with a 22 and still run a mile or so before dropping.  You are never assured a one shot clean kill with a 22 on fur bearing animals.  The 17hmr or 22 hornet are a better option if available.

Hope this helps.

Answer 11

just bring a large knife or a bright explosive that makes a big boom to scare the animal away.its rare to get attacked by one.

Answer 12

Unless you are a little kid, that coyote is not coming after you.  Now be wary of the Possums!!!!

Answer 13

Having grown up in, and spending over 40 years in the wild, I can tell you that on occasion, just like any other animal, there are coyotes with an attitude!! I  had one encounter where a coyote walked right into camp as my hunting partner and I were eating lunch. It walked right up to us just like a tame dog, then suddenly it's hackles went up, it's tail curled under and it started snarling.(did you know that a .270 winchester with 150 grain BTSP bullets will darn near cut a coyote in half at 10 feet?)

Another time, my daughter (then 8) was in our back yard at the ranch. My son (age 10) ran in to tell us a "hurt dog" was behind the house. I went out onto the upper deck in time to see my daughter just entering the brushline, and a pack of coyotes waiting for her, with one of them giving off a sound just like a hurt puppy yelping. I carry a .45 acp pistol at all times. I yelled for my daughter to run to the house as I drew and began shooting. I killed two, and wounded one before they broke and ran. F&G tested them for rabies and they tested negative. This pack was after my daughter.

Another time, while riding a small Honda motorcycle with my son, I rode into a clearing where a coyote was eating a fresh rabbit kill, it snarled and charged us, I was just able to turn and hit the gas in time to outrun it. So, are coyotes harmelss? heck no, there are reports all the time of them going after smaller people, and I have seen them gang up in a pack and go after a black bear, a deer, and even a cow elk. Should you be afraid to go in the woods because of them? no. Should you carry a firearm when in the woods? heck yes. Is a .22 enough gun for your needs? maybe. I spent a lot of time in the woods as a kid with nothing more than a single shot, rolling block .22 rifle. But in this day and age, I carry a .44 magnum on my hip when in the woods, and usually have a rifle or shotgun along as well. A .357 magnum is a very good choice. You can load it with snake shot, .38 spcls and .357 mag to handle all kinds of situations. From snakes thru 2 legged critters to 4 legged. I prefer american eagle HP ammo in plain old .22, but if your firearm is rated for them try stingers or mini mags in it. They give a lot better performance.

Good luck and shoot safe

Answer 14

I will sell you a magic coyote-repelling rock. Nevermind that it looks like an ordinary rock, this one costs $100. If you are attacked by a coyote, I will give you your money back, and you can even keep the rock. ;-)

Seriously, I don't think there has ever been a recorded incident of coyotes attacking humans. If there is, I'll bet the human was doing something stupid.

But the 40 grain is better. Either will work against snakes, which is what I would be carrying for.

Answer 15

First: Why would you be scared of being attacked by a coyote? I would be more scared to be attacked by a jack rabbit. (not actually)

Second: Use hollow tip bullets. They have a way harder hit and will do more damage to the inside of the animal. And you would want to aim at around the coyotes chest.

Answer 16

As for “coyotes don’t attack people” that’s wrong.

Coyote attacks on people are on the rise;

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,3549...

http://www.varmintal.com/attac.htm

http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/coyote_att...

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/...

Too many people assume coyotes are not dangerous to people. Those links prove otherwise.

I would go with the 40gr bullet also.

Note; When I said 40 gr 22 LR I failed to say which one, oops! I meant the 40 gr CCI Velocitor it travels 1435 ft per sec with 183 ft pounds of energy. It is a hollow point that penetrates well.

Personally I agree with the others that the 22 lr is on the small side, a shotgun loaded with the “Dead Coyote” round takes them right out.