We are looking for a 22 WMR for coyote hunting. With the dogs the distance is not a big deal so iron sites. Would like to have it a semi and 10-22 clip.

Right now the we have a 223 with a 3X9 but when we are close the scope is useless. We could take the scope off but come spring would need to site it back in for ground hogs.

Any suggestions and experience with a 22 WMR round?

Cheers Don.

Hi Don,

I have a couple .22 mags, a Ruger semi auto and a Henry lever action. To be honest I've never shot the Henry. The Ruger I've used around here as a plinker on general varmints up to feral dog size, seems to work fine for what I've needed. I've been thinking about getting a Volquartsen but haven't done that yet, they are a nice option for a semi-automatic.

Another option you could do is flip up sites for your .223. You could mount your scope higher and go under the scope with the sites. Another common way to mount is to get 45 degree offset sites and leave your scope as is. I use and like this option as it's always ready to go and the scope stays low too. Plus you get to look like a city gansta and tilt your gun sideways to shoot the open sites.

My lever action 22 mag is one of my go to firearms for varmints.

I don't have any experience with the 22 WMR but the 17 HMR is an awesome round. Light and fast but maybe not what you want for up close work.

I would also suggest putting a small red dot sight on 45 mount beside your scope. Then you have the 223 from long range to point blank. And the red dot makes shooting on the fly really easy.
Put the extra money into ammo!

I have a Henry Golden Boy in 22 WMR that shoots well.I'm not sure what kind of 223 you have but I have a AR in 5.56 with flip up iron sights and a Bobro mount that will let you take the scope off and on without having to zero in again.

Don, I've had good luck with the LaRue removable mounts. If they're set up properly, the scope recenters straighter than I can shoot.

I also leave a set of Dueck 45 degree iron sights on my carbine for closer shots. If I was to do it over, I'd go with a 45 degree red dot like DPowell referenced.

Don, I have found that a 2x7 scope makes more sense than a 3x9.

We do have a 17 HMR that really is not the best for the coyote. It really not hard enough for them I find.





Looking into the 45 side mount for the 223. It think that is the trick for this year.

Do like the idea of the 10-22 clip our 223 bolt action needs to be loaded from the top and each round needs to be cycled out every time we get in and out of the truck. Real pain in the A$$. The 10-22 clip just pops out and if we didn't need to rack one its empty in seconds.

Only thing I know is that a .22 Mag in a Ruger Single Six it is......LOUD!!!

Love my Ruger 77 in .22 mag. At close range great on pigs, where I have seen the .17 not get the job done placement is critical

what is the maximum range you use the red dot? accurate very far? i have one on my AR, but haven't had time to play with it much. it is top mount. i like that side mount.

Hey Scott,
Because the red dots don't have any magnification the range really depends on your eyesight and the dot size. If you are looking to shoot 50+ yards I would suggest getting a sight with a 2moa dot. The downside with the smaller dot is that it is not a easy to see for close range/quick acquisition work.

Quick tip: the MOA size tells you how big the dot will appear at 100 yards. A 2moa dot will cover a 2" circle on the target at 100 yards. A 6moa will cover a 6" circle. It's technically a little over an inch but its close enough.

I have a Sightmark SureShot and Sightmark Ultra Shot and both have held up well on low recoil calibers - .22lr and 9mm. And they won't break the bank! Not the smallest sized sights for a 45º mount but work great for a main sight.

I have the Sure Shot on my S&W 15-22 and I've made shoulder/head shots on running squirrels at 40 yards.

One other note is most red dots have a 1moa adjustment - one click moves dot 1" @ 100 yards.

for me my 22Mag is pretty useless. I did shoot a big hog once @ 20 yards. I am not an expert but for me it tears u small game and not big enough for anything else. When my son and I coyote hunt one carries a shotgun one a rifle. he is the predator hunter I just go to hang out.

that is good info. i think mine is a holographic sight instead. it appears that the sight is further in front of you. i can change it from green to red and also change the reticle shape. dot, crosshair, crosshair with dot, etc.. i am a gun collector, but optics is my weak point. i am more of an antique 22 kinda guy.

Our area here where we deer hunt we have a shotgun season. My boys and I all have TrueGlow holographic sights on our shotguns. At most we are getting 4" groupings at 100 yards using a bench. We find if your going to shoot distance with a red dot you need to find the right brightness of the dot. The TrueGlow you can adjust this and red or green.

We use Hornady SST in 12 and 20. We have three 12 and one 20 all set up with these. They are perfect for our purpose.


On the 22 WMR we are looking to keep the pelt. We are not just exterminating them to help the deer population.

Cheers Don.