Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Al_G19 on May 10, 2011, 10:33:39 AM

Title: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: Al_G19 on May 10, 2011, 10:33:39 AM: Hello to all,

Just found this forum while thinking about getting back into coyote hunting.

Years ago I called in coyotes on the east side of the mountains and used everything from a T/C encore in .22-250 to a Bushmaster in .223 but due to a couple of shoulder surgeries I found that rifle shooting is not worth the pain that last's for days even after a couple of rounds.

I have been doing some scouting on the west side of the mountains and have found a few places that appear to have promise and was wondering if anyone had much luck taking called in coyotes with a handgun?
I have a 6 1/2" barreled S&W .44 Magnum that I was thinking of using and would like to hear your guy's thoughts on that.

I shoot the .44 well, and it would most likely be done from shooting stix.

While I am at it, I would also be interested to find out if anyone has ever done any impromptu calling with say a 9mm and had any success, you know where you are out driving in the woods and come across a good spot and for what ever reason that's all you have with you is your ccw for some reason.

Again, I just found this forum and I am glad I did.

Thanks to all for any input you want to add!
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: demontang on May 10, 2011, 10:40:58 AM: I busted one last winter with my 45acp and it knocked it around pretty good. If you are good with the 44mag I wouldn't think twice about it. I would say out to 100yards if your good with the pistol. You might even look at a red dot sight on it.
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: Kain on May 10, 2011, 11:05:12 AM: I got a pup last year during bear season with the 29 Classic. At 30 yards I hit it in the neck while aiming at the shoulder so I am not able to use one beyond that. If you are really good I am sure you could take any coyote within shotgun range with a 44 mag easy.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi406.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp150%2FNaithankain%2FElk%2520hunting%25202010%2FCoyote.jpg&hash=1dd9c16d2c089722e50b39fd3b560ec39085ff38)
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on May 10, 2011, 11:09:24 AM: Practice shooting a steel or paper 6" plate at 75yds off hand and you'll do fine on yotes with a handgun.

-Steve
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: Al_G19 on May 10, 2011, 11:37:39 AM: Thanks for the info, I have quite a bit of pratice under my belt, and I'm confident 100% out to 50 yards and about 80-90% at 75-100 yards. I figured I would not take the shot unless it was very close to my 50 yard range.
Any thoughts on bullet weight or preferred round? I know...what your gun likes, but mine seems to do well within 50 yards no matter what I run through it. I am just wondering what would be a good bullet weight to get, I don't hand load anymore so I was thinking of something in the Hornady line as that's what I always used through any rifle I shot.
I am just having a hard time deciding what bullet weight to go with, I was thinking at 50 yards with a 44mag, just about anything would do the deed, do you guys feel the same?

Another question, since in the past I always did my calling with a rifle how bad would a hollow point .44 slug tear up the hide on a yote at that range?
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: Kain on May 10, 2011, 11:45:59 AM: Im sure anything would work on coyotes but if you are calling during bear and cougar season I would get a nice bear load.
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: Al_G19 on May 10, 2011, 12:01:17 PM: Quote from: Kain on May 10, 2011, 11:45:59 AM
Im sure anything would work on coyotes but if you are calling during bear and cougar season I would get a nice bear load.

On the one you showed a picture of above, do you recall the bullet weight you used, and how was the hide damage?
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: 6x6in6 on May 10, 2011, 12:14:09 PM: Quote from: Al_G19 on May 10, 2011, 11:37:39 AM

Another question, since in the past I always did my calling with a rifle how bad would a hollow point .44 slug tear up the hide on a yote at that range?

I whacked one 3-4 years ago with my S&W 657 41 mag with Speer 210g HP pushed with Accurate #9 while horseback riding in the Manastash.
The stupid coyote followed us for over a mile. I got tired of keeping an eye on our 2 Aussies who wanted to go play. Bad idea!!! So I baled off my horse, tied him up, walked away about 20 yards and pasted the yote at a stepped off 45 yards.
It was a quartering shot thru the left front shoulder. The exit hole was somewhere between a orange and cantaloupe. It wasn't pretty. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: Kain on May 10, 2011, 12:18:05 PM: 240gr sjsp. The damage was not bad because I hit it right in the top of the neck. I dont know what it would have done on a shoulder shot. Im sure there are guys on here that know more than me on this.
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: NRA4LIFE on May 10, 2011, 12:23:14 PM: Have you considered a Thomson Contender? I have a .223 barrel for mine that drives tacks at 100 yards.
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: 6x6in6 on May 10, 2011, 12:25:48 PM: Quote from: Kain on May 10, 2011, 12:18:05 PM
240gr sjsp. The damage was not bad because I hit it right in the top of the neck. I dont know what it would have done on a shoulder shot. Im sure there are guys on here that know more than me on this.
Either way, it's a lot of lead tossed out at a 40 pound mutt.
Kinda like you and I launching bowling balls at each other at 1000 fps +. :o
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: Al_G19 on May 10, 2011, 12:34:43 PM: I thought about going back to a contender/encore but I think it will be more fun...and look better in a picture to have taken one with a wheel gun....then I will feel like I can die happy ;)
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: Kain on May 10, 2011, 01:03:20 PM: Quote from: 6x6in6 on May 10, 2011, 12:25:48 PM
Quote from: Kain on May 10, 2011, 12:18:05 PM
240gr sjsp. The damage was not bad because I hit it right in the top of the neck. I dont know what it would have done on a shoulder shot. Im sure there are guys on here that know more than me on this.
Either way, it's a lot of lead tossed out at a 40 pound mutt.
Kinda like you and I launching bowling balls at each other at 1000 fps +. :o

Yep more than enough for anything in Western WA.
Title: Re: Just found the Forum and have a Question about .44 Magnum
Post by: demontang on May 10, 2011, 07:38:28 PM: I carry 240gr gold dots in my 44mag but use hornady bullets when out after bear.