in az we have good upland hunting depending on rain fall. since i combine quail and predator hunting i carry a few buckshot loads if i decide to make a call. i would a some 20 ga. #4 or even #5 size buckshot copper plated buffered. they only make number 2 or 3. wish for 2011.

You might try this load: http://www.paraklesetechnologies.com/proddetail.asp?prod=20GA234BB%2F25

At a little over a dollar a shot, it's cheaper than the non-toxic waterfowl loads, which would be another alternative.

FWIW, I've killed a dozen or so coyotes out to 45yds with #6 and #5 birdshot (turkey loads, 1-5/8oz 1250fps) out of an xx full choke. Drops them like a sack of schit.

Remington Nitro Mag shows the 2 3/4" 20 ga Buffered Magnum in #4 bird shot. We use these in #6 for pheasants in our light Franchi 24" quail autos. Makes longer shots on pheasants with the short IC barrels. If you use some kind of a double barrel, a slug in one barrel and birdshot in the other might work. When in my youth, we had coyote drives each Sunday with lots of hunters. We always killed a bunch of coyotes and buckshot was prohibited.

Remington only lists #3 Buck for a 20ga.

Big difference between bird shot and buck shot. Buck shot on Yotes out to 'bout 20-25 yards is a lot of fun. Them Yotes jump, bite, and then just pile up. Shoot 'em farther than that with buck shot, and you're just cruel, 'cause they tend to jump, bite, and not pile up...wander off, suffer, and die. Past 25 yards, do the Yote a favor and use a Foster...bang, flop.

my savage 24d is full choked . i patterned fed #2 3 inchers and remington #3 2 3/4 out to 40 yards and easily bagged coyotes at that range and they are tough. killed over 250 mostly with a rifle. i have a citori grade v now and it has ic and mod. will need to watch my range is all with the more open choke. i do have a pack of 5, winchester #3 3 inchers i got sometime. thanks. roninflag

Lead big shot... I have not done 4 or 6, but 2s and bbs and #4 buck... yotes have flopped quickly all the way to abougt 40-45 ish yards every time. No suffering etc.... have we ever seen.

Of course folks generally call you a liar when you claim that #6 kills turkeys DRT every time at 55 yard and under....

Ron, I would upgrade to a 12ga with screw in chokes, problem solved...#4 buck shot available in most places.

In the 20ga, #3 buck in 3" mags used to be available in 20ga for deer, you would have to pattern this buck shot to see if your shot gun would pattern at all....full choke is best for buckshot on yotes....probably not what you are quail hunting with.

Federal's PD256 is a 2.75 inch 20 gauge load with 24 pellets of #4 buckshot. It's their Premium Personal Defense brand. While buffered, the pellets are just lead.