[Robertesq1]

Topic: Best Shotgun Load for Yote..........

Any advice for a 12 ga 3 1/2 in full choke shotgun load??

[Art Eatman]

I've never used a shotgun on a coyote, but I did kill one 25-pound bobcat with one*. Maybe 20 yards. Winchester high-base 3-1/4 dram equivalent; 1-1/4 oz of 7-1/2 shot!

Luck will beat skill anyday, so I won't recommend that. :)

Just guessing, I'd think anything from #2 on up. Just don't get too ambitious about the range, is all...

Art

* Old Model 12. Full choke with paper shells, so it's really Xtra Full with modern plastics...

[Smoke]

Agree with Art. I think you may be able to get away with #4 or larger.

Doesn't have to be 3.5" super duper load, more importantly is that it patterns well out of your gun and you know the limits of range.

Smoke

[12-34hom]

#4 buckshot would be my choice. Are you calling them into shotgun range??

12-34hom.

[Robertesq1]

#4 buckshot would be my choice. Are you calling them into shotgun range??

12-34hom.


Hopefully, yes.

[12-34hom]

Damm things are hard to put down with a shotgun unless well within range!

So instead of lugging a fifteen pound rifle around while coyote hunting, i've switched to this....

I attached a 2+7 Burris pistol scope to this Savage Stricker handgun [chambered in 22-250]. I would guess it would be good out to maybe 300 yards for me, more for a better shot.

I'm trying to find a sholder holster rig that will fit it, it would be great while hunting sloughs and draws for the coyote or fox that are kicked up while chasing pheasants.

12-34hom.

[kudu]

When I used to call varmints we used a 12ga 3" of #4 bird shot. We killed foxes cleanly out to 50yards with this load. Yotes are a bit bigger so I would say BB or #2 bird shot would be ideal. Any bigger and the pattern starts to have big holes in it. The tough part is finding a factory load of lead on a store shelf anymore with big pellets. #2's were standard loads for geese before steel shot restictions.

http://www.remington.com/ammo/shotshell/nmbufmgsh.htm

[Greybeard]

12-34hom - You might want to look into Bianchi HUSH holsters and see if the've one to fit. A buddy and I got 'em a while back for 7 1/2" SBHawks and have been well pleased. Chaz carries his in front of armpit, but I've got mine adjusted to ride with grip closer to left hip. (I think we've probably got same 2X7 Burris scope.)

While hunting pheasant or rabbits, I've killed coyotes out to 30 yards or so with regular old lead 4s or 6s. Generally not an immediate kill, but they did not go far if hit well in lungs.

As others have said, larger pellets that pattern well out of your gun would probably be a better "first choice". I've been quite impressed with Remington 3" mag Hevi-Shot (4s, 6s) on both paper and pheasant out to 50-55 yards. Next time I have an extra $20 for just 10 rounds, I hope to find some in bigger pellet size to have around for coyotes.

[Remington788]

If you are using a full choke try #4 buck and see how it patterns. I would avoid 00 buck in a full choke as it tends to throw erratic patterns in my experience. Also, don't forget to aim.

[Mr. Chitlin]

My son and I hunt coyotes with shotguns quite often if we are hunting in heavy brush. Here in Arkansas, we can't use #4 buckshot legally, so we use Remington #2 lead shot 3" magnums in Remington 1187's and .660 turkey chokes. It puts them down like the hammer of Thor.