Maximum Effective Range of Shot

[Pony Express]

Hello folks,
Just wondering what y'alls opinions are about the maximum effective range of shot (any size, just specify which one you are talking about) on small game. I'm looking to hunt coyotes with my 12 gauge this year, and, supposing a perfect pattern, what is the maximum range I could expect to drop a 'yote?

Thanks in advance

 

[Sir Aardvark]

Mostly, shot pattern and maximum range will depend on what barrel length and choke you will be using.

Also, ammo selection plays a very important role, insomuch that Federal Flite-Control wads hold incredibly tight patterns when compared to almost anything else available.

If you can give more info on what you will be using, you might get an answer that will more specifically fit your circumstances.

For example, one of my shotguns keeps a ridiculously tight pattern with OO buckshot past 35 yards using Hornady TAP ammo. This shotgun has an 18" Improved-Cylinder barrel that has had it's forcing-cone lengthened and has had the bore polished to a mirror-like finish.

With that being said... every shotgun is a beast unto itself - what works for you in your gun might not work so well for another in his gun, and vice-versa.

 

[Virginian]

Back in the days of lead shot, I built an 80 yard goose combination using Nickel #1 Shot and a wad from Ballistic Products, buffer, and Blue Dot shooting out of 3" Remingtons with overbored barrels, lengthened and polished forcing cones, and custom screw in chokes. And after who knows how many dollars I never bested the performance of one factory 3" Wingmaster barrel. It was not typical, as I have had 5 since that couldn't touch it either. I also practiced at 70 yards with 1-1/2 ounce hot #7-1/2 loads using a Stick Bird too.
Later, after steel, I found that with a 10 gauge, also with a reworked barrel, and hot BB loads I could get good results at 75 yards.
About the time the better non-toxics came along, I went back to the 12 gauges again, but I don't shoot that far anymore because I don't take the time and effort to practice. But, based on the patterning I did, I think original Hevi-Shot could probably equal the old nickel loads.
Take a look at the Dead Coyote loads and shoot some long range pattern. I have never shot coyote with a shotgun, but a 25-06 was good out to 450 yards plus.

 

[esheato]

For lead shot Journee's Formula is a useful approximation. It simply states that the maximum range of a pellet may be found by multiplying the diameter of a pellet by 2200. For instance:

#7½ pellet diameter is 0.095", nominal.

0.095 * 2200 = 209 yards

Many clay sport facilities limit shot size to #7½ and provide a 300 yard shot fall zone, a generous safety factor.

 

[Rembrandt]

Perhaps this will help...

 

[Virginian]

Yeah, but he ain't gonna hit a coyote shooting it like a mortar.

 

[ElToro]

you might get skin penetration with buckshot at 50 or even 100 yards on a coyote but i doubt it will drop him. he will run off and bleed out and die elsewhere.
unfortunately short of chrono'ing your shot i dont know how to get your answer.

 

[45crittergitter]

That formula for maximum range obviously is not maximum effective range.

Here's a bit on coyote loads:

“Experience has shown that BB-sized lead shot provides an ideal balance between retained pellet energy, penetration and pattern density for animals up to and including coyote in size.” - Holt Bodinson

“A 1-5/8 oz. load of No. 2s will flatten a coyote at 50 yards. Don’t use buckshot, because it patterns too thin at long range. Number 2 shot is ideal for coyote, fox and bobcat hunting.” - Wayne Gendron, Quaker Boy Game Calls (Try Hevi-Shot 2s!)

Shot sizes of #4 Buck and smaller pattern tight enough not to let a coyote through (endwise). Shot smaller than #2 or #4 cannot be depended on to penetrate a coyote well enough. Copper-plated BBs penetrate extremely well. Federal Premium copper-coated, buffered BBs take coyotes running straight away in excess of 50 yards. BBs give the best combination of pattern density and penetration, many times providing complete penetration on broadside coyotes at 30 yards. Conventional lead shot doesn’t penetrate or pattern nearly as well. - Rick Jamison

In the Escort shotgun Les Johnson uses any premium brand of 3” high brass shotgun shells loaded with #4 buckshot and the Patternmaster Choke Tube. With the Patternmaster Les gets a 6” wide pattern of #4 Buck
at 50 yards.

 

[DPris]

Flitecontrol buckshot will both pattern tight enough and penetrate well enough at 50 yards to put down a coyote, in most barrels.
It's changed the game in range expectations.
Denis

 

[hardworker]

I've seen deer killed at 90 yards with 000. The problem isn't deadliness, it's whether or not you hit it with the wide spread.