Coyotes and wild dogs.

[PredatorSlayer]

I'm a deputy for a very rural county in TN. Over the last few years we have been getting more and more calls on coyotes attacking pets. On wild pit bull mixes doing the same. These dogs can be up to 70 lbs. coyotes much smaller... as our animal control guys are totally undermanned and overwhelmed, many deputies like myself have started carrying a rim fire gun in the trunk to take care of the problem when it's in a subdivision etc. it's very frowned upon to cut loose an AR 15 in a subdivision... my question to you all is, would you be comfortable with a 22lr for this? 17hmr? 22 mag? Right now I have a 22lr loaded with stingers and i have made several headshots that did not instantly incapacitate big coyotes or big dogs... this has me Kind of down on my 10/22 and making me consider a 22 mag or maybe 17wsm... what say you all?

I have killed coyotes out to 250 yards with a 17hmr. I use them night hunting all the time. 22 mag would also work - I think the bullet is important. I would shoot ammo loaded with a VMax and you will be good to go.

 

[Oldschool280]

Savage makes a semi auto 22 mag, that with the heavier 40-45 grain rounds should be more help.

 

[hpmag308]

17 wsm and wouldn't worry about noise. They shouldn't whine about the noise over safety, an if they do tell to take care of the problem their selfs

 

[440coronet]

22 mag with a solid bullet. Vmax, Stinger, etc are all varmint type bullets. If you facing a 70lb pit bull mix, they will just wound and make them more angry or runoff wounded which isn't a good thing. Solid bullet to the nogin' area, game over....

 

[KyCarl]

Coyotes are easy big pit mixes deserve more consideration! I carry a commander size Ed Brown .45 all the time one of those to the face would work I'm sure

 

[19elkhunter51]

I have a 17 HMR and have been disappointed in the performance with anything other than a head shot. Head shot, DRT, body shot, run away and die but it is always a long run. Most times I follow the birds after a day or two. Most of my shots are less than a hundred and the longest is 168 yards.
I would opt for the 17 WSM and very good optics. Take the head shot when possible and anything else hope that the 17 WSM doe a better job than the 17 HMR.
Non hunting urban types will NEVER understand the what and why of predator control. Noise, oh that poor, fill in the blank, is just trying to survive. Until they eat you cat, dog, chickens, goat or sheep.
Feral cross bred dogs/coyotes are very scary and very aggressive. I have no compunction about killing every one that I can.
As a LEO you are between a rock and a very hard place. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[ofbandg]

In my community we have a problem with various animals wandering around town. Coyotes come in after pets, bears looking for fruit trees and gardens, curious cougars on the prowl for anything, and, of course, raccoons making themselves to home. We aren't allowed to discharge a firearm within the town limits so some community members have taken to using crossbows. They are quiet, safer than bullets, and do a good job in experienced hands.

 

[redneckdan]

Off the shelf, I'd look at a 17 wsm with the heaviest bullet available.

If you were willing to go full custom and load your own, I'd look at a MGM Encore barrel for 22 k-hornet with a fast twist to run 80s or 90s as subs. 16" and threaded. I've helped a few folks in your situation and this solution has worked well. Looking at about $400 for the barrrel.

Law enforcement agencies are exempt from the 200 tax stamp. Hook up with a local machine shop, get the okay from your CoC, efile a form 1, then go put together a 'solvent trap' suppressor. You'll be in business for under $100. Yeah it ain't an AAC or a Gemtech. But it does help a lot with the muzzle blast and if done right will not degrade the accuracy you need. Holler if you have questions.

 

[nicholasjohn]

17 wsm and wouldn't worry about noise. They shouldn't whine about the noise over safety, an if they do tell to take care of the problem their selfs

The same people who call police and sheriff departments about an animal problem will complain about the blood they left on their lawn. These same yokels are also very noise-sensitive. They are probably just frustrated because they can't figure out how to make an omelette without breaking the eggs ……….

 

[DynamicAVP]

Why not use sub-sonic rounds in your AR carbine. You will probably need to cycle the bolt by hand and it still have a pop. But, you will be able to kill them with practice after you figure out different drop. You would only need to buy ammo and practice, not a whole new firearm. Not that buying a new firearm is bad.

Thoughts?

 

[Buano]

I love the 17 HMR in a rural setting out to 100 yards or so. It sucks in town as it's as loud as a .223 but has less killing power. A .22 mag is a lot quieter than a .17 HMR because it's slower. Personally I would opt for a shotgun loaded with buckshot if you are looking at shots within 40 yards or so.If shots are going to be beyond 40 yards, grab your AR and be done with them.

The only time I had to put down a pack of 7 pitfalls that were killing pets and attacking people I used a shotgun & deer slugs. I only killed 5 of the 7 because that's how many shells the gun held.

 

[JIsbell40]

Why not use sub-sonic rounds in your AR carbine. You will probably need to cycle the bolt by hand and it still have a pop. But, you will be able to kill them with practice after you figure out different drop. You would only need to buy ammo and practice, not a whole new firearm. Not that buying a new firearm is bad.

Thoughts?

It's a solid idea. I'm just hesitant to shoot anymore with my AR after the hell hath no fury response I've received on several occasions. And the 22 with stingers is running about 60% DRT. And with the ppl I deal with, the animals need to be immediately incapacitated. But they also complain to no end if you shoot something loud... it's a no win deal..

 

[Buddro]

I hate to say it and I know your response but quit head shooting them. Do a whole bunch of research on professional hunters and head shots and you will find it's just never going to be a consistent way to kill animals with any cartridge. As people have already said it's one thing to dispatch a dog in a snare and a whole other to get one walking around. the long and short of it is that with head shots you have a higher chance of letting wounded dogs walk than shooting them in the lungs.

Since I am sure you are going to stick with headshots anyhow underpowered cartridges dont preform well with expanding/fragmenting bullet designs. consider trying a higher grain load in a fmj to eek out a little extra penetration if you can find anything that fits that bill.

 

[Oldschool280]

9mm carbine?