I was asked by a colleague today for a recommendation. He lives on a couple of acres, outside the city but within the county; his land is surrounded on all sides by housing, though a good stretch is forested. He has a coyote bothering his chickens. He is trapping for it but wants a firearm, which he doesn’t otherwise have, to dispatch a trapped animal or to take a shot from the deck if one comes in to the coop (that would be a good downward angle). Ranges will never exceed 30m.
I at first suggested a shotgun, partially because they’re good for all sorts of things. He was afraid of the mess, which actually seems valid. I then said a 10/22, but he’d need to pass on anything but a head shot. I worry about skipping with a .223.
How wrong was I?