Author Topic: 20ga. for yotes? (Read 1066 times)

Spanky · « **on:** February 07, 2010, 01:59:56 PM »

I got a predator caller and want to try calling in some yotes. I'd like to use my Tracker or my 22" 20ga. and call them into 30-40 yds. Is the 20 good for that range on yotes? What shot would I use? Am I pipe dreaming with this and should use a rifle or what? I've shot yotes with my deer rifles but never a shotgun. Be honest with your opinions, I want them dead not wounded. If the 20 ain't enough let me know.

Spanky

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2010, 02:11:05 PM »

Are you thinking of using slugs? If so you should be OK.

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2010, 02:11:43 PM »

It's not that the 20, "ain't enough" it's that you are limiting your payload and thus your pattern. I'd probably try and shoot #4 buck or BBs and I'd certainly try to find 3" shells. If you get one of those pellets into an important place it'll kill him. The problem is that you have very little control, especially at 40 yards, on where those pellets go.

Since you asked us to be honest, this seems like a stunt to me. I've killed coyotes with a shotgun and I wouldn't try it with a 20 ga or a single shot, but that's just me.

a4beltfed2000 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2010, 02:28:10 PM »

The .20 is good for back ups on moving yotes. I would stick to one of the HP handis, set the 20 down along side. I like using a Harris bipod attached with a sling swivel for keeping it out of the dirt. Then you have the best of both. I use one of the shell carriers on the buttstock for faster follow ups. load with double ought buck for the .20 (3inchers are good)

Spanky · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2010, 02:36:54 PM »

It seems like I'd be better off with a 12 or a rifle then?
The only problem is my 12ga. barrel is a shorty with no choke so patterns are wide open at 30yds.
Looks like the rifle is my best bet huh?
I bet my 32-20 would work pretty good.

Quote from: dukkillr on February 07, 2010, 02:11:43 PM

Since you asked us to be honest, this seems like a stunt to me. I've killed coyotes with a shotgun and I wouldn't try it with a 20 ga or a single shot, but that's just me.

It's not a stunt, I just like carrying and shooting the 20ga.
That's why I asked for the honest opinions. Thanks for giving it to me straight... like I said I want them dead not wounded.

Spanky

highwayman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2010, 05:03:03 PM »

when i can get my dad to go he uses a 20ga. single shot and plays back up to me. we are talking close range like 20-30 yards with 3 inch buck shot. works like a charm.

sachel.45 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2010, 05:09:26 PM »

id get a 12 preferably a pump or auto with screw in chokes id go with no 4 buckshot or BBs. or use a rifle

45-70.gov · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2010, 05:25:38 PM »

#3 buck or #2 buck is most common in 20 gage

or slugs

accuracy will limit the range in the slug
pattern will limit you range with the buck shot

only your patterning of your gun will tell you you range

once you know that go for it [test your 12 gage too..with #4]
i suspect 30 will work 40 maybe not...just a guess

LET US KNOW WHEN YOU GET BACK FROM THE RANGE
shorty 12 vs choked 20 for yotes

LEO · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2010, 01:21:19 AM »

If legal in your area pattern your gun with buckshot and see how it patterns, the range at which you are getting 4 or 5 pellets in an 8" circle should be considered your maximum effective range. Yea I know, one pellet will do the job but that pellet has to be in the right place thus the 4 or 5 pellet minimum. The 20 gauge will kill a coyote just as dead as a 12 but you will have a shorter maximum range. I have shot coyotes with #2s (State limited shot size) from a 12 and it does fine upto about 40 yards, I wouldn't shoot farther than that with my shotgun. The pattern board will tell the story though. I would forgo even fooling with slugs, you are gaining nothing over a rifle if you are shooting slugs and you are giving up substainal range. Good hunting but be forewarned, predator hunting can be addictive.

spikehorn · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2010, 05:31:24 AM »

Most of the time we hunt from tree stands over bait piles, but every once in awhile we will get involved in a competition hunt and i will bring my turkey set up it's a mossberg 835 with a tru glo TG171X ported turkey choke and I use federal #5 3" turkey loads. I have confidentley pulled the trigger on both turkey and coyotes out between 40-50 yards. Also been hearing alot of good things about dead coyote chokes and shells. If you decide to use buck shot don't use to tight of a choke, it will open up the pattern modified usually the best for buck shot.

zackyholdem · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:17:13 AM »

if using slugs then anything inside of 50yds should be an easy kill, buckshot is another story... your max range with 20 gauge buckshot should be around 30yds give or take, either way pattern your gun to confirm, at the ranges you are talking about a well patterned 20 gauge will get the job done.

good luck Zack

montveil · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2010, 05:40:42 AM »

It seems to me that the old adage of knowing the capabilities of your firearm by patterning to find out what ammo brand, shot size etc still hold true.
I can speak from experience that every firearm can be fussy about ammo.
Just bite the "bullet" and invest time, cost and effort to find out what works best as it will be well worth it.
Your 20 may work very well if you know its limitations.
Get a shoulder pad if you will be patterning a shotgun as recoil can be significant with prolonged shooting heavy loads. Something like a foam pad would be helpful-nothing expensive. I went to an upholstery shop and got a scrap piece of DENSE foam to put under my shirt.

Froghunter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2010, 08:15:22 AM »

Spanky,

I was wanting to comment at the begining of the week, but never got around to it. I'm with the pro side, I say shoot your gun with the loads that are make for this kind of work and find the limit you are happy with shooting the coyotes. I do believe a 3" magnum with 1 1/4 ounce of # 2 or # 4 copperplated lead buffer load would do the job at the right range (30-35 yards). Some of the new heavy non-toxic shot may get you more range. I'm not too keen on the buckshot, I have never liked or was satisfied with the patterns. Set up downwind and all camo up and have you gun ready after calling. Don't call to much, aim your shot at the base of the head/neck joint and we would like pictures of the Trophy!

Use the 22" choked barrel and have your head welded to the stock so you don't shot high!

Good Luck and gett'er done!

Froghunter

Spanky · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2010, 11:37:47 AM »

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll head down to the shop and see what he has for ammo. My electronic caller should arrive in the next day or two so I'm itchin' to get out there.

Spanky

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:56:41 AM »

I'd probably use slugs just for the extra range. Yote's can be tough to call in close.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2010, 04:14:58 AM »

I would use some of the tungston BBs intended for waterfowling and pattern the gun to see the limitations of it. I would bet with the right choke 50 yards would be within range.