coyote shotgun loads

[buckshooter]

Hey guys I have a question for you. What kind of shotgun loads do you use, size too, and what kind of chokes do you use with your load. I have a Mossberg 535 shotgun, also have extra full turkey choke with some turkey load, 3.5 inch shot size 5 load. Also how far do you shot. 

Please reply

Buckshooter   

[kevthebassman]

The turkey stuff is useless.  Does a coyote look like a turkey?  Well they don't die like a turkey either, they are some tough critters.  Use buckshot.  I fancy #4 buck (not #4 shot, #4 buck) because I've found it to give a more reliable pattern out of a turkey choke.  If 00 buck is all you can find, it will work too, just fewer pellets.  Make sure you pattern whatever load you are going to use so you can gauge it's performance. I have gotten good patterns all the way out to 60 yards.

[petemi]

I've got a little single shot, full choke 20 ga.  I use #2 and #3 buck, three inch for close in work.  I usually take it and a .22-250.

[Mohawkpart2]

  In agreement with #4 buck. A 12ga. 3'' contains 41 pellets, .24 caliber each. There is a guide in my area of Texas and he uses this load with his clients during the varmint hunts. For fox and bobcat he swears by  copper plated BB's in same load.

[Thebear_78]

The heavy shot dead coyote ammo is tops for predator hunting.  Its very expensive but works better than anything else I have tried.   I have shot a lot of fox and coyotes with lead 2s and BBs but after shooting a few coyotes with the dead coyote ammo I can easily say they beat either of those hands down.   #4 buck works quite well too, but doesn't pattern quite as good as the dead coyote stuff and rely's heavily on "the lucky pelllet" optimism.  I shot two coyotes a couple months ago wtih the heavy shot one at 40+ yards and the other at just over 65 paces.   I was really impressed.

[GeorgiaDave]

Hello from Georgia,

   I have a 3 1/2 " 12 GA as well and have found it to be quite effective on all types of animals including coyotes.  The big #5 loads you mentioned will definately kill a coyote but anything over 35 or 40 yards penetration becomes an issue. Less than that will cut them a flip with a good patterning gun.  I would much prefer the smaller buckshot such as #4, or #1, but OOO or OO is an excellent choice out to around 50 yards. I would not hesitate to shoot at one farther than that if it were an open shot and the animal hung up and would come no closer.

   Shotguns are a good short range varmint weapon especially when hunting at night by yourself, although I would always make my first choice a .223 REM.
  I feel you would have much better luck with the buckshot with the old 12 GA.

Dave

[SHOOTALL]

dead coyote from hevi-shot , anyone use it ?

[kevthebassman]

dead coyote from hevi-shot , anyone use it ?

A friend of mine swears by it, but then he's got the money to spend on it.  I don't think you will feel under-gunned shooting regular #4 buck.  I know I don't.

[SHOOTALL]

not at all and richer also , we kill deer with #4 so it should work fine , But when it came out i got 2 boxes at a good price so guess i will try it .
THANKS !

[kevthebassman]

not at all and richer also , we kill deer with #4 so it should work fine , But when it came out i got 2 boxes at a good price so guess i will try it .
THANKS !

Let us know how it shoots.  I do most of my coyote work with a .17 Rem but if the dead coyote loads are that good, I'll give them a try.

[Catfish]

I know some guys that were using T steel on them, but I think they all went back to # 4 bucks. Bigger bucks hit harder, but you have alot fewer shot and pattern density relly suffers. So far I have always used a rifle on them, but may try some #4 bucks myself when hunting with dogs.

[kevthebassman]

Now if I were a reloader, I might try some duplex loads of 00 and #4 buck to hopefully get the best of both worlds.  Then I would pattern them and write up a big post complete with pictures on how they performed....... (hint hint )