Have used a 22 mag in early season for squirrels and any chance encounters with coyotes. Agreed, you need to limit distance (I stay under 100 yds most of the time) and only take set shots. But, I have taken several coyotes with my Marlin bolt action and Rem. 40 gr JHP. Not all were DRT, but they eventually went down. Had one I hit initially at 70 yds or so, get up and run across an open field. Couldn't believe my eyes when he went down on the 2nd shot at about 140 yds. Both hits were in the shoulder area, but I have always thought he probably would have dropped at 150 yds if I had missed (not that I admitted anything like that at the time). Second bullet penetrated pretty well though. So, like many other calibers discussed on this and other threads, the 22 mag can do for a coyote if you do your part! But, I must add that I use a 223 most of the time!