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Shotgun for coyotes

I'm finding lighter charges of NP BB's quite effective on coyotes out to 40 or so yards. My goto load in a 12ga is 1 1/4 oz of the NP BB's and 1 oz in my 16ga.

More coyote hunters are starting to run lighter loads of TSS for coyotes also.
 
A charge of 25g of unique in a AA hull, RP wad, 1 1/4 oz of #4 buck(1250 fps) with no buffer is very effective. Choke and gun fit are critical, pattern your shotgun, know your point of aim vs point of impact.

WSF powder is awesome with some speed and tight pattern in 1 1/4 oz of BB and #4 Buck.

#4 buck with blue Dot at 40 yards, 391 Beretta with factory flush fit extra full choke. Notice the point of impact vs point of aim shot off of shooting sticks for support. This load is a meat grinder on coyotes.

 
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If you reload your shells try some TSS shot in size 2 or 3 and Lil gun powder with a dead cyote choke tube.. The Tss shot is a big plus very dense plus more pellets. Kills well out to 60yds.
 
I do not have stuff for shotgun but a friend has the equipment and said i can load anytime. Ill start looking for supplies. I bought some loads to try this weekend and they are $2 a round. That adds up quick.
 
I have load data for the Tss shot if you need it. It's been a while since I ordered some but I can probably find the supplier I used. He was very helpful with the load data also
 
A Shotgun reaches maximum velocity at 21 inches. The longer barrel just give you a longer sight plane. I have always like 2 or BB plated lead shot. I have killed many out to 50 yds with plated BB lead

It's hard to find put 3 inch 1 7/8 oz lead loads have always worked for me.20211204_145210.jpg20211204_145218.jpg
 
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I have killed a LOT of coyotes with a Shotgun. Terrain is very different from state to state. My average shots were probably 30 yards with some being within 10' to others being 50 yards.

I hate short barrel 12ga shotguns, muzzle blast is horrendous to say the least.

If you are shooting a lot at 50 yards, the TSS would be a great choice, otherwise no use in spending $5-8$ per shell.

I mold my own Buckshot out of 50/50 wheel weights and pure linotype, they are hard and kill well. Most of my hunting in Mexico and SW states I used Fed premium, Win, Rem Buffered 3" mag, #4 buck. I had more floppers and runners with bb's with the Std full choke that would pattern 100% in a 30" circle...not that tight due to so many close in shots.

Good buffered #4 buck factory shells are unavailable at this time, and BB's are even more scarce. Consider two places:

Ballistics Products:

Then go to this guy's teaching that is nothing short of incredible, the modern day PO Ackley of Reloading buckshot, and I substitute different sizes of buckshot load between the various loads.

 
When CA took those nice store bought coyote shells off the table here with their lead ban, I learned a lot from that guy.

Making coyote loads in no-lead is no fun... and now that it has been sucked up into the shortages, is even more expensive and harder to do. I sure miss those copper plated lead coyote loads....
 
I agree with Akleyman on the close range shooting. BB`S or 4 buck are the way to go. If I remember correctly. IT was costing me about 2 or 2.5$ a shell reloading with TSS shot in New 2 3/4 inch primed hulls. But that was when components were available. At that time the Winchester 3 inch Varmint X were 1.50 a shell. They were the best killers for the money.
 
JB10 said:
I want to look into getting a shotgun for coyotes. I would like to know experience people have had with barrel lengths. I read a lot say 28 inch is what you want. I would like shorter for transporting and maneuverability. A lot of the terrain i hunt in is thick desert and when they come in its quick. Most shots wont be passed 50 yards. Would a 20-22 inch barrel have a decent pattern to be effective? What are your experiences?
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JB10 said:
I want to look into getting a shotgun for coyotes. I would like to know experience people have had with barrel lengths. I read a lot say 28 inch is what you want. I would like shorter for transporting and maneuverability. A lot of the terrain i hunt in is thick desert and when they come in its quick. Most shots wont be passed 50 yards. Would a 20-22 inch barrel have a decent pattern to be effective? What are your experiences?
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Barrel length means nothing,only rarely in some instances,if you're in open country 26 inch is ideal,Franchi bottomland 26 in 12 ga 3.5 ,tight cover Beretta A300 Ultima with a 19 inch barrel is unbeatable,either one using a Black diamond assault choke tube,#4 buck winchester 3.5 54 pellets will flat out smoke a yote at 75 yards,Federal OO buck with 15 copper plated is another killer at 75 yards easily with Black diamond,my all time favorite Apex predator tungsten super shot 3" #4 this is very deadly at 75+yards,but very pricey over 10$ a shot,Black Diamond,Buck Kicker and Carlson's dead coyote are also very good chokes,all have their particular flavor they like,testing is the only way to find out.
 
now i'm curious myself. never been on a coyote hunt. closest thing was being on fox patrol. i had a double barrel in either 28 or 20 gauge. much luck to the o.p.
 
We always hunted in a three man team with me running the caller and watching the back door for the rifle guys. I used my 20" duck gun ,benelli super black eagle, with a barrel mounted laser and on/off touch pad near trigger well. Most of mine were taken sitting cross legged and I would just set the controller down and walked the laser to them. Never shouldered the gun. All close, all with number four buck and improved cylinder choke.

Was surprising the number of dogs that charged in to the bushes i was in for cover, I guess to take a final look from a "safe" distance. This was in mesquite country in west Texas so closer shots than you mid-west and western US guys probably have.

Story time over but 3" number four buck is the correct answer for the load.
 
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