I'v just recently got into calling coyotes. They don't get hunted where i live so most run all the way up to 15 feet away. I'v been using 000 buck in 3" shells. just wondering what is the max range for an ethical kill on a coyote with this shell. Also is there a better load I should be using for this application. Some of the most action packed hunting I'v done and a great deal of fun.
000 buck max range for humane kill
- Thread starter Bare
- Start date
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
I have shot 000 buck out of a cyl bore at 25 yards and the group can be so large that you could completely miss a coyote....or hit with a few pellets it depending on how lucky you are.
You will have to pattern your gun with your shells to see exactly what range is acceptable. It's the only way to know.
You will have to pattern your gun with your shells to see exactly what range is acceptable. It's the only way to know.
Why not pattern the shotgun and find out.. ?????????
each gun with a different choke and different shells will shoot better/worse patterns..
the only way you will know is to see how it shoots at that range with a large target.
Each shotgun will be accurate to a different distance.
Make several cardboard cut-outs, the profils of a coyote standing head on and to the side.
Shoot at the targets at various ranges. When it's no longer possible to consistantly put several pieces of shot into the vitals each shot, that's too far.
With a smooth bore, why not use slugs? I don't particularly like buck shot, as I've never had much success with it, and see several deer that took close range hits from 000 shot and still needed follow up shots. I find slugs to be much more consistant and very very likely to stop a coyote absolutely. Either way, slug or shot, you're likely to have to do some repairs if you want their hides though.
In the end, get to know how your gun shoots.
Make several cardboard cut-outs, the profils of a coyote standing head on and to the side.
Shoot at the targets at various ranges. When it's no longer possible to consistantly put several pieces of shot into the vitals each shot, that's too far.
With a smooth bore, why not use slugs? I don't particularly like buck shot, as I've never had much success with it, and see several deer that took close range hits from 000 shot and still needed follow up shots. I find slugs to be much more consistant and very very likely to stop a coyote absolutely. Either way, slug or shot, you're likely to have to do some repairs if you want their hides though.
In the end, get to know how your gun shoots.
hvmetalhead
Regular
- Location
- St. Paul AB
GO with teh good old stand by SLUGS, or Sabbo slugs throught a rifles barrel, with those you have a massive range, and they will drop almost anything
I used a load of BBs that had 58 pellets in it( 2 3/4 inch). A pattern with 58 pellets will have less holes than one with 9 or 12 pellets. A 50 yard shot resulted in a dead coyote.
Coyotes don't have tough hides. Put a few pellets into its chest cavity and it will die.
Coyotes don't have tough hides. Put a few pellets into its chest cavity and it will die.
Check your pattern, but I +1 this load.
This is my home defense load (if there is such a thing in Canada), out of a 12.5" grizzly. From what I've seen at the range for 'household' distances.. totally nasty. Loud inside too, I'd imagine.
Out of a proper hunting shotgun, I'd try FM choke. I'd bet you are good to 50-60 yds very humanely.
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00 or aaa has killing power to 75 yd easy. But only if you have pellets hitting the target. Try your chokes & maybe different brands, I just picked up some copper plated 00 at CT. They will be coyote killers.
#4 buck =41 pellets
000 buck =10 pellets
That translates into 4.1x the pellets/shot and 4.1x the pattern density. The smaller buckshot patterns much better than 000 or 00 and you only need about 8" of penetration to get a pass through on a coyote so the .24 cal pellet is more than up to the task. The other bonus is the .24 cal hole is barely noticable in the pelts.
Regards
Not that a refrigerator compares to an animal but I have seen 000 3" buck do much more damage at around 40 yards to the fridge than #4 3" buck. My opinion would be if you pattern your shotgun and are able to hit your target with most of your 000 buck this will do much more damage than #4.
