.45 for coyote?

[longfowler]

I have an old .45 cal cva kentucky, you know the ones with the 2 piece stock. I've worked up a wicked accurate squirrel load for it, that cloverleafs the balls at 25 yards, but only using 25 grains of 3f. I'd like to use this gun, it's so light & handles sweet for a cheap beater gun. What do you think, would this load be powerfull enough for coyotes? or should I just take one of my .50's out?

 

[Britsmoothy]

I had one years ago and I used it on fox's but IIRC I used about 80grns of fff. 25grn seems a bit light for coyoti. I'm sure it would do it eventually!

IIRC my CVA would keep three shots in three inch off hand at 100 paces.

Allthough not pretty it did shoot well, had a good trigger and aimed nice from the shoulder.

Brits.

 

[CZMark]

Because you never know at what range a coyote will show up, the trajectory of that load alone will make it unsuitable for coyote.

 

[roundball]

I have an old .45 cal cva kentucky, you know the ones with the 2 piece stock. I've worked up a wicked accurate squirrel load for it, that cloverleafs the balls at 25 yards, but only using 25 grains of 3f. I'd like to use this gun, it's so light & handles sweet for a cheap beater gun. What do you think, would this load be powerfull enough for coyotes? or should I just take one of my .50's out?

If it was me I'd bump the powder charge way up in the .45 and get the benefit of fast flat trajectory...a .40cal would even be better but lacking that, I'd use the .45cal...just my opinion.


Of course...there is always the need for a reason to buy another caliber... .40cals sure are nice
:grin:

 

[hawk]

i use 75 grs fff for best accuracy and it is good to 80-100 yards or so ,tc hawken.

 

[PreglerD]

I shot roedeer with a charge of 90 gr Wanao PP and a .440 PRB at 60m, so I think it will work at coyotes, too!

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[longfowler]

thanks for the replies eveyone. I thought that load might be a bit light, & I just don't have time to get to the range and work up a hotter one. so I guess I'll just bring my .50 flint deer rifle instead!

 

[KyFlintlock]

I'd at least double the charge, try it out!

 

[paulvallandigham]

No, a 65-70 grain charge of FFFg should be more than enough to take any coyote out to 100 yds. More powder than that, and you are just beating your self up. You need a 44 inch barrel to burn 80 grains efficiently, and then, that barrel will shoot the most accurately with a load using only 70 grains of powder. :hmm:

I have shot 65 grain charges in two different .45 rifles, and they both provided excellent accuracy out past 100 yds.

 

[BrownBear]

Coyotes die easy when you hit them in the right spot, and a 45 is plenty. The only question is hitting them in the right spot.

If you're satisfied with the trajectory of that load compared to the ranges you will typically shoot, fire away and have a ball. If you want flatter, bump the powder till you get what you want.

But even at low velocity, your 45 cal ball is going to wail on any coyote it connects with.