Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters shotgun load for coyotes

I tried some 12ga 3in Winchester BB loads in a couple of 20in, IC, Rem 870s a while ago, was fairly impressed. Used a 24 in square piece of paper as target, the pattern put almost all the pellets in the 24in paper and was very even. I'd think it would be deadly out to 30 yds, maybe more with right shotgun. Center on a coyote and you'd have holes nose to ass.

Also tried some 2.75 in Rio 4 buck and Win 1 buck same day. Similar results, about a 18- 24 in pattern at 25 yds, just a lot fewer pellets.

Thanks for the replies. I will probably get some # 4 buckshot.

Thanks again and good hunting to all.

358win

I have shot a bunch of foxes and coyotes using 1 1/4 ounce of 4 shot with 30 yards being as far as I would shoot.

TPWD was doing Helio control work on coyotes and they chose TT steel shot, the buffered high speed waterfowl load. I think they have now gone to various heavy shot loads but still use larger shot like BB and upwards. Many of the land owners have a no wounding clause in their release forms. I think TPWD has been fairly successful. Not so on hogs even with thousands taken there is no difference and the costs were extremely high.

I got some of these, just never killed a 'yote. Not cheap, but how many ya gonna shoot, anyway?

Have an H&R 3 1/2" ga. with super tight choke. Those 3" Dead 'Yote shells should get one's attention pretty far out there.

https://www.hevishot.com/catalog/dead-coyote/

DF

# 4 is the answer Rio7

I've dropped a lot of coyotes and foxes at good range with 3" HEVI-Shot Dead Coyote.
I always have 3-4 of them in my vest when I'm hunting.
I've heard that they do real well on wolfs in the grouse woods too. But I wouldn't know anything about that...

TSS is the ultimate for long range, but as mentioned #6 or larger will work very well at 20yds.

Dirtfarmer ,

Good morning !
I thought hevi-shot was costly until i saw the Apex brand ammo .
Guys on youtube MFK predator calling folks north of you swear by it and always say it cost $12 per shot , but the website shows $49 per 5 rounds , likely shipping cost of coarse . But $10 per shot - I'd expect crazy good performance for that price .

https://apex-ammunition.myshopify.com/

Hevi-shot now seems like a bargain , I have had good luck with the #2 shot on coyotes and a couple of coons .

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Scenarshooter ,

You're WRONG ! I would believe the number of coyotes you've killed with #4 buck ......

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Shaman ,

I'd gladly read a story on the feral dog removal via shotgun were you inclined to write it .

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Myself Rem. 870 express 3'' turkey gun [pistol grip] , 21'' barrel , hs strut extra full choke , winchester black box 3'' #4 buck . Shoots a pattern 26 - 28'' diameter at a lasered 45 yards from the muzzle of the gun . First time i ever patterned a shotgun because i never used one much - it amazed me .

Something i read and tested myself - a dirty barrel can degrade your pattern FAST - as in shot number three it's easy to see the pattern open up and the perfect coverage get spotty . 5 shots pattern is very different from a clean barrel shot . Oily Bore-Snake pulled through the barrel twice - back to great patterns - I always carry the bore-snake when hunting .

I'd take a 60 yard shot with my gun .

This. Firmly in the #4 Buck camp for the reasons above. The yellow box 3" is what I've been using for 20 years now. Patterns great. It's a legitimate 60+ yard roll them up load...

Who is yellow box - remington ?

Yes...


Sorry...

The heavy shot is interesting but since there are no restrictions except maybe on a refuge plain old lead magnum or plated should do the trick nicely.

Surprized that Apex recommended #2 shot for deer. I need to give it a try at least once. Using #8 or 9 on turkey looks interesting, makes the 20 gauge a viable option.

I wonder where it would be legal to shoot deer with #2s. I’ve no doubt you could kill a deer with one, I’ve killed hogs and coyotes with 7 1/2s at close range, but curious as to the legality.

Just load them and they are much cheaper. Really easy to load. I’ve some size BB in the classifieds. Be glad to teach any of you how to load them. A roll crimp bit and hand drill is all you need for crimps, but I personally prefer GAEP bits and a drill press. You can pretty much double your range compared to lead.

Old greybeard coyote killers have been rolling them up with 12 gauge No. Four Buck for a very long time. Shotguns can be fickle as a middle school cheerleader, it's vital to pattern the gun and make sure the point of aim and point of impact are one and the same. Look at the center of the pattern for pellet density. Getting a load tuned up with the perfect choke constriction isn't always easy but when you get it right the shotgun is damned deadly on coyotes.

It wouldn`t hurt to check your states reg book for the maximum size shot that you can use.

Lead 4 buck is my choice. About diameter of a 22 bullet. Carries well and penetrates. I believe 41 pellets in a 3 inch .

About .24 caliber...

#4 buck or hevishot dead coyote.