Miller,
In 1979, I put half a dozen shots from a 22 LR auto pistol into the head of a young 'lope after a friend had wounded it and it had gone down and gotten up at about 10-15 yds. Only the last of the 5-6 shots penetrated the "front plate". Of course the shots were not perpendicular to the 'plate' either. I dug all the bullet out under the skin and some had almost penetrated. I was really surprized.
The coyotes in my area are relatively small dogs ranging from maybe 25lbs up to maybe 40lbs max. I've taken down these scrawney dogs with 22LR and WMR's. I've always used scoped rifles and I'm of the belief that vital shots are a requirement regardless of the game I hunt or caliber of gun. I've also used 30-06's, 300 Win Mag's, .264 Win Mag's to take them, always with vitals shots. My latest effort on coyote depredation is with a .264 and it's still not an sure thing to call in a dog and take him before he figures out he's been setup.
