22lr vs 22wmr for coons

[bignocks]

So Im not a gun guy at all. I own an .223 ar for yoties but its way too loud for shining coons at night. Id probably piss off every house within a mile and not to mention go deaf. Im looking for a semi auto for raccoons and was debating between a 22lr or wmr. There doesnt seem to be many options for a wmr but I also like the idea of having a little more knockdown power since I know coons can be tough if you dont hit them perfect. I also dont want it so loud that if I dont get ear plugs in rt away I wont damage my ears. Would love the input. Thanks

 

[TxxAgg]

I'd prefer a 22 mag with the heaviest bullets

 

[jaredg]

They are not in the same ballpark. 22 Mag for coons, they are very tough animals and fight above their weight class. Savage makes a 22Mag in an autoloader

 

[Desk Jockey]

Not coons but I shoot ground hogs in PA 3-4x a year as pest control. Similar body size. A 22lr head or spine shot puts them down but I would say it wasn’t effective to deliver incapacitation most of the time with body shots even with hollow points. They would usually bolt for cover. I am sure most of them died sooner or later but it didn’t sit well with me to wound them and have them die slow.

I considered a 17 hmr or 22 wmr but stepped it up to a 223 that now does double duty for everything up to coyote. Not sure if that is the right way to go if you want to save meat or skins because it can make a mess of the groundhogs with an expanding bullet.

Rambling a bit but I guess I am saying I would look at something with a little more crack than a 22lr.

BTW - as an old man I am a bit of a nut about hearing safety. Wear ear pro even with a 22. You will thank me years from now.

 

[mtluckydan]

It's been awhile but have shot hundreds of them with 22or...one shot & done.

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[Kotaman]

Big fan of the 22 WMR here...My go to “yard gun”...

 

[N2TRKYS]

I wouldn’t buy a 22wmr for coons. 22lr works just fine.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

22lr between the eye or in the ear hole...if you are worried it's not enough get some segmented bullets.

 

[dkime]

It's been awhile but have shot hundreds of them with 22or...one shot & done.

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I’m with this guy, growing up with hounds means that I too have put up hundreds of furs thanks to the 22LR


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[Tikka300wsm]

17hmr is my go to for coons.

 

[Txrookie]

22wmr, perfect for coons and fox. I bought a cz 512 in 22wmr for my son, he’s not old enough to shoot but I really enjoy it lol

 

[Ndbowhunter]

If I was going beyond headshots with 22lr i’d Look hard at 17hmr with 17gr. When we were culling out wallabies on a buddies station I was flat impressed with that combo.

 

[Two Roads]

Definitely .22 mag. Too tough unless perfect shot. In high school, I lived in an area where we could float a river and shine. Great pocket money then. So, two of us in my buddy's neighbors little Jon boat. 3 am, coon directly overhead, I tell pal, watch this, shoot it with .22 to drop it right in the boat. Works great except still very much alive and rather unhappy. Comes snarling right at him as we hop out in hip boot. Buddy nails it with .22 mag. Stone dead. Only problem, shot also exited coon thru bottom of boat. Cut a stick, jammed in hole. Yes, definitely 22 mag from then on.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Shot coons with both a 22LR and 22Mag, they’re all dead. Don’t recall any taking more than 1 shot. I prefer the LR, something about shooting a 22mag or 17HMR straight up into the night sky doesn’t seem OK to me. What goes up, comes down somewhere.

 

[elkguide]

My Ruger 10/22 in .22lr has taken so many coons that I have no idea how many. Have I ever needed a follow up shot? Yes but when I'm concerned about neighbors, I have been satisfied and successful with my .22lr.

 

[HOT ROD]

22 lr will do just fine for a coon.. U don't need a magnum to kill a coon lol

 

[Fonkie]

A 22lr will do it but it better be a perfect headshot. I’ve had them absorb multiple shots from a 22 mag & not expire without a headshot. Pound for pound they are as tough as they come. So maybe accuracy is the right recommendation here no matter which cartridge.

 

[FLAK]

.22WMR All Day.

 

[rayporter]

my dad killed hundreds with a 22 short. i help kill a few -one shot

 

[Clarence]

Definitely .22 mag. Too tough unless perfect shot. In high school, I lived in an area where we could float a river and shine. Great pocket money then. So, two of us in my buddy's neighbors little Jon boat. 3 am, coon directly overhead, I tell pal, watch this, shoot it with .22 to drop it right in the boat. Works great except still very much alive and rather unhappy. Comes snarling right at him as we hop out in hip boot. Buddy nails it with .22 mag. Stone dead. Only problem, shot also exited coon thru bottom of boat. Cut a stick, jammed in hole. Yes, definitely 22 mag from then on.

Great story man! Never forget those moments of youth and stupidity. Love it