I am going to try some coyote calling this winter. Since I live in a shotgun / rimfire only area thought I would try #4 buckshot. For my 12 ga. 2.75 in. ithaca 37 I have a 26 in. smoothbore slug barrel and a 28 in. full choke. I'll try both but which would you expect to pattern #4 buck best? In addition : can I expect a killing pattern at 40 yards? The cover for the most part is quite thick.

Inside 40 yards I'd look seriously into BB's. Hornady makes a predator hunting load of Lead BB's. I use an ounce of NP BB's in my 2 1/2" 16ga drilling for coyotes and 1 1/4oz of the same in 2 3/4" combo guns for coyotes. Shoot the full choked barrel.

BRNO combo 12ga/22 Savage Highpower
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Wilkes drilling 16ga/16ga/6.5x58R

After looking at hornady's site I can only see3" BB loads. My gun is 2.75"

Yes

Several ammo makers have the 2 3/4" #4 buckshot. Remington is one. I believe the full choke will pattern the buckshot the best, but pattern it to make sure.

^^^This^^^

I have killed a LOT of coyotes with #4 buck and BB's, what ever you do, use the full choke!

Morning all, Bill here, I haven't killed as many coyotes as some of you here. Best between 35-45 in a year, in front of hounds! How come in some instances you can wack him pretty good with a 223 and they spin, jump, brake dance, and then fall down dead!! But when ya use shotguns with #4 buck or heavier they just rag right out, flop no bounce dead right there. This all under ???? Say 80 yards and under. Is it the multiple hits? Maybe hit to far back with 223, fluke, my eyes playing tricks???? I know I haven't got the answer, any body here???? W T F. Out. 🐾👣🐾👣🇨🇦

Coyotes will do the same yip, spin and run routine with buckshot when the pattern gets thin and/or the range too long. Experienced coyote shotgunners know that after the first shot if the coyote remotely acts as if it is going to recover itself you better be adding more lead to it as quickly as you can.

Use a bullet in the 223 that expands rapidly and keeps the energy inside the coyote. They won't run much. As to 4 buck. Shoot it in the Full choke and pattern your shotgun with it. 4 buck is about as good as it gets for coyotes.