Opinions on an H&R Handi Rifle in .223 for coyote hunting?

[Sidewinder]

Does anyone in the middle Tennessee area hunt coyotes with the H&R/NEF/1871 single shot, chambered in .223 Rem.? How about one chambered in .22 Hornet? I have an H&R in .243, but think that might be a bit of an overkill, here in Middle Tennessee. I was thinking the .223 could give me the distance and knock-down power for most situations.

[Omega]

.243 or .223 would do good with yotes, but .223 would be cheaper.

[Quavodus]

I've got a friend that has a H&R .223 with heavy barrel and its a good shooter. The trigger was a little stiff when he got it but, it lightened some after he shot it some.

[Raoul]

Why wouldn't you want multi shot capability? 

 

[jpx2rk]

Seldom get a 2nd shot at a 'yote, you miss, they be gone.  

[martin5]

My son has one in .243. Great trigger on it. Probably too good for a youth rifle.

[gregintenn]

Nothing wrong with a 243, but there's also nothing wrong with formulating a reason to purchase another rifle. I'd go with the 223 over the Hornet just due to ammo prices and availability.

[Dirtshooter]

If you already have a .243 just shoot it. It isn't overkill for sure.

[Quavodus]

12 hours ago, Dirtshooter said:

If you already have a .243 just shoot it. It isn't overkill for sure.

Yeah, a .243 is ok for coyotes. Especially with 70-80 gr. bullets. Now, a 7mm Mag. is a little overkill. Ive got another friend that uses his to kill coyotes year round. WOAH!

[gregintenn]

On 2/3/2019 at 8:24 AM, Quavodus said:

Yeah, a .243 is ok for coyotes. Especially with 70-80 gr. bullets. Now, a 7mm Mag. is a little overkill. Ive got another friend that uses his to kill coyotes year round. WOAH!

My 50 caliber muzzleloader does an excellent job bringing down coyotes. I don't reckon a 7mm mag would be way over the top.

[Ronald_55]

My Dad decided to use his 36 inch barrel full choke 12ga with Turkey loads on one at about 15 yards. Talk about overkill. Lol

[A516]

Take a look at the Henry Single-Shot rifles.  Very nice rifles.

[Sidewinder]

Thanks for all the information from everyone. I have a Handi in .243, but have had bypass surgery where my sternum was split open. I'm concerned with recoil, at least for 6-9 months, maybe longer. There's quite a bit of difference in the recoil of the .243 over the .223.

[TomInMN]

Could go the 243 low recoil route as well:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001697452

[gregintenn]

Get ya a Savage 22 magnum. Sorry to hear of the heart troubles. Looking at my family history, I’ll be due for a bout of that before long.

[quedz]

Or you could pickup a second barrel...

https://www.go2gbo.com/forums/118-h-r-classifieds.html

[Sidewinder]

20 hours ago, gregintenn said:

Get ya a Savage 22 magnum. Sorry to hear of the heart troubles. Looking at my family history, I’ll be due for a bout of that before long.

I do have a 22 Mag with a 20 gauge barrel slung underneath it...Savage 24. I also have one in 22 Hornet/20 gauge. Maybe either one would make a good coyote gun?

 

[gregintenn]

2 hours ago, Sidewinder said:

I do have a 22 Mag with a 20 gauge barrel slung underneath it...Savage 24. I also have one in 22 Hornet/20 gauge. Maybe either one would make a good coyote gun?

 

If you can still see the sights, yes!

[TomInMN]

5 hours ago, Sidewinder said:

I do have a 22 Mag with a 20 gauge barrel slung underneath it...Savage 24. I also have one in 22 Hornet/20 gauge. Maybe either one would make a good coyote gun?

 

Probably a wider load selection for the magnum.

[10-Ring]

Unless you are eating the coyote, or tanning the hide, overkill isn't an issue. 

[Wingshooter]

The coyote won’t notice overkill. Getting killed the 2nd or 3rd time doesn’t matter to him, only the first

I’ve only shot mine with a 30-06 while deer hunting. It worked.

Now shooter-recoil overkill is valid. Since you have a concern with a surgery, I’d go as light as possible. Suppressed 223 is pretty enjoyable. 

[gregintenn]

12 hours ago, 10-Ring said:

Unless you are eating the coyote, or tanning the hide, overkill isn't an issue. 

You ain’t lived til you’ve tried coyote jerky!

 

On the issue of overkill, I’ve likely killed more coyotes with a 50 cal muzzleloader than any other rifle. Poke a hole in his vitals and he’s done for.