20 Gage Shot Recommendations for Raccoons

#2 shot lead works great, but you may have to reload to get it, don't know any over the counter ammo who makes it.

#4 shot should do the job fine

Is your dog used to shotgun fire? If he's not used to gun fire, I would suggest starting with a 22 subsonic and make sure he's tied when you shoot.

I've killed a bunch of treed coons with #6s and 7 1/2s. They don't need anything special. As already mentioned a .22 short or .22 LR will do it too.

Here's one killed with 7 1/2 shot.

Agree w/ MtnCreek. Skip the shotty. Go with one of the subsonic 22l.r. loads, if you can find any in your area.

Using this subsonic 60gn slug, ...




... I took this 44.8 lb coon at about 30yds as he was moving away using my ancient (early '90s) Ruger All-Weather.
Not my most accurate .22 rifle, but accurate enough with the Aguila to be minute-of-coon. Off my deck, I was shooting down and the slug hit about the middle of his back; that reddish spot on his abdomen is the exit wound.



Agulia, like most any .22 ammo, is hard to find now and I don't know if they're still importing the 60gn subsonics anymore.
I happen to have a good amount stashed away. But it's certainly not the only load you can take down a coon with.

.22lr would have been my first choice with away from developed areas. If not a 410. pump like a mossy 500 410 with 18.5" accu-choke barrel. You can get #4 for it. Try a mod and full choke and try both 2 1/2 and 3" to see what patterns best for you. make a fine light raccoon killer.

http://www.mossberg.com/product/shotguns-pump-action-mossberg-510-mini-510-mini-all-purpose/50357


agtman That looks like a garbage can raider in a better part of town.

My dad uses #6 shot the same as he does for the tree rats or 22 if in trap. Since he's almost 92 he just sets a trap by his peach trees and checks it in the morning.

agtman - That looks like a garbage can raider in a better part of town.

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Hardluk1: you're probably right about the coon, but I don't live "in a better part of town."

Quieter than a 12 would be a 22 air rifle - even a 17 will do the job at the proper range

I slapped one off the back porch one night with 3 buck. It was more'n enough at 20 feet.

I have some 3" number 5. For some reason I've always found 5 shot to pattern really well in 20 gauge. The stuff works on 'coons, but 3" is excessive.

The first gun I ever bought was when I was in 6th grade. Walked or rode my bicycle 4 1/2 miles each way (Through tidal waves, volcanic eruptions, etc lol) to pick apples so I could buy a shotgun. I ended up with a Mossberg bolt action 20 gauge. From sparrows to deer, I shot 'em all. I'll start with assuming it is full choke and capable of 3" magnum loadings. For all game, use high brass loadings. Where pellet count is important, where one might use #6 pellets in a 12 gauge 2 3/4" round, the 20 gauge should be using #7 1/2 or go to the 3" loading to increase the number of pellets. One advantage I have found of the 20 gauge over the 12 gauge, is given equal shot loadings, the 20 will group slightly tighter, slightly.
If I were out shooting 'coons out of trees, I would start using turkey loads with hard shot and work down from there. The turkey rounds of today offer advance shot cups, some going 30-40 yards before separating from the pellets. Some also have fillers to aid in getting as much shot out of the barrel without deformation. Turkey loads will probably be 3" loadings and available in #4, 5, & 6 shot. I won't say one brand or another will work better from your gun, but my ol' Betsy thrives on Federal high brass.

Are y'al using your .22's at nite also or just during the day?

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When I coon hunted it was at night. Open sights are tricky with just one person. Getting the right amount of light on the sights and the coon is much easier if you have another person there. My favorite coon shooter is a marlin 25n with a 4x scope. I typically used CB longs; quite and would feed through the mag. With a scope, you just have to get light on the coon.

I used a Wheat (spelling?) Light; 6 volt battery w/ a 4 volt head. I would not shine any bright light up the tree. I would turn it down very low and sometimes shake the light back and forth making squall sounds. If I couldn't get an eye, I would light the tree up as last resort before calling the dog a liar. :-(

Edit: A bright light will make a smart coon look strait up. A possum will stare strait at a light and he usually only climbs up to the first few limbs. A coon's going to get way up there.

A couple of tips: You will likely have to leave your dog at some point. If/when that happens, leave your jacket or something that has your sent. He'll be there waiting. Buy a pair of snake chaps and no matter how hot it is, wear them.

I was anticipating some nite hunting. Are y'al using your .22's at nite also or just during the day?

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Well, my run-in with the coon occurred just shy of 5a.m. and it was still dark out. We have a very bright security light high up on a tree out back. I'd gotten up to pee and saw something moving around on the ground in and out of the light and shadow areas where we have a bird feeder up on a tall pole. The coon, I believe, was after the seeds and grains that had come off the feeder.

I had to move quick, since as I opened the door he started heading off toward the edge of the grass line which is about where the light fades. The Ruger wears a Leupy 2-7 rimfire, which I keep set on 4x for squirrels. The scope definitely helped as the coon was just about at the edge of the grass, and I don't think I'd have hit him using just the irons.

Shot size

7&1/2 or 6s will work fine and be safer too. My grandson shot a 30# bobcat at 30 yards and a one shot kill with 8s in a 20 gauge with cylinder bore choke. I was there. Raccoons are tough but not against a 20 gauge. We usually hunt with .22 rim fire long rifle, a lot less noise. Two of our young men took 10 raccoons last night.

oneounce load:Surprised about the air rifle recommendation for coons.

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At the PROPER distance, a .22 air rifle will do the job - not talking about 50-100 yard shots. With proper pellet placement, one dead coon

Be advised; if you are hunting for fur your shotgunned pelts may be graded as damaged. Industry standard is two holes from the ears forward. Coon hides are dried fur side in and those holes are visible to a buyer.

That said I sometimes use 3" BBs in a 12 ga. and try to keep those pellets in the head.

I have found a poison bait combo that works so fast they only take a few steps and there dead. Other animals does not bother the bait. It's Monkey Chow and Fly bait. The fly bait is powder form. If you have the granular formula you need to crush it up to powder form. All you do is coat the Monkey Chow with the fly bait and set it out. I put some fly bait in a bag, then add the monkey chow and shake. A friend tells me the first time he did it he had 7 DOA within 10 feet of the bait. He put his in s paper sack lunch for them and just scattered them around his feeder. The next morning he had a lot of dead coons, 7 in one area 3 in another. You do not want this stuff on your hands so wear gloves. The reason for the bags was so that he did not have to handle them. The Monkey chow is very oily so the fly bait sticks to it. The monkey chow they can not digest due to high ash, the fly bait attacks the nerves system, paralyze them.

That poison bait is likely bad for the neighbors' cats and dogs. Good way to make enemies.

Anyhow, the OP seems well-answered.

Edit-add: Per PM, the poison is in common use in the Midwest. Not attractive to other than coons and possums. As with any such, however, common sense should be part of the mix.