.22 or bigger for pest gun??

Question or opinions from you all. Looking at getting a ranch pest rifle for unwanted raccoons possum coyote or whatever. Trying to save my chickens and ducks from the critters in my yard at night.
So is a .22 rifle shooting 75 yards off my patio deck good enough, or do I upgrade to a 22 mag or bigger? Tired of using my big caliber rifles just to eliminate a varmint.

I would buy a .17hmr or wsm.

22 hornet. Does wonders for me on coyotes and coons trying to get my chickens

I'd vote for the 17HMR. Proven pest whacker; ammo is plentiful and relatively inexpensive. I use mine for the very purpose you have in mind and have been very happy with it for years. The pests, not so much!

I would go buy whatever you want if you want a new gun and then build a chicken house with a door that critters cant get in, it will save many chickens, and you a lot of sleep. It wont be hard to build a chicken house that coyotes, bobcats, coons and opossums cant get into. Plus chances are if shooting them by the time you hear it or get out there you already lost one or some.

I'm a big fan 22 Hornet but that is way more fire power than you need. Have you looked into a pcp air rifle. They can come with a suppressor and are whisper quiet. Meaning you will be able to take follow up shots and not stir up the hole barnyard.

I would agree with this ^^^^^ .

At 75 yards, 22lr through a suppressor. Further out, larger critters, go CF, little critters out to 125, 22lr.

17 HMR

I have a mean 22hornet also. It's perfect inside 200y and will take out any pest. You can buy ammo around a dollar a round. Not to bad

Thanks for all the response. After seeing the arsenal of 22 shells in my safe it was a no brainer. Grabbed a savage model 64 in camo and scoped it 3x9x32. Ran some shells through it and I think this will take care of the barnyard pests. Thanks!

I do already lock the chickens in at night, but some still come up missing at day. Plus I have ducks geese and guineas. I like the .17 hmr and .22 hornet, but might be overkill in my situation. Raccoons Beware!!

I keep a Ruger 10/22 with 3x9 scope and a flashlight taped to the barrel next to the back door. Have killed coyotes, hogs and everything you can think of with that .22.

17 WSM....

Why not just go with a .223, small enough and yet big enough to handle what you want to do. Cheap ammo and a pretty cheap gun too.

I've always been interested in a 22 Hornet but have never had one. Lately been interested in the 17 Hornet. My current favorite critter getter is a 256 Winchester in a Contender carbine but probably more than the OP is looking for.

My dad had a .22 hornet way back 50 years ago already. I remember it was a wicked gun back then. He was pretty proud of it.

22 mag - cheap and perfect imho for critters. 17 is also a great choice, but since I also have 22 mag pistol it is nice to not have another caliber to keep in stock.

I've been thinking on this a while myself. I am leaning toward a 22 magnum. I have a cz 22lr, and a 222 in 700 Remington Varmint. The 22mag should fill in the empty spot and use it for predator calling without plum messing up the critter. I want to get a fox for a mount. I have a coyote and bobcat already.

22 Hornet ammo has thin brass that cracks after a couple firings. Why I sold mine.