12 ga for coyotes

H

Hollow Point

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
New Brunswick
I'd like to try using my 12 ga for coyotes. What loads are people using for coyotes and what are you getting for range?

Provincial regs limit me to lead shot no larger than BB and steel no larger than F. Don't want to spend between $8.00 and $9.00 dollars per shot for Hevi-Shot Dead coyote loads.

Also anyone use optics or dots on their shotgun for coyote?
 
If I were in your situation I would find some 3" 1 7/8oz BBs and go from there. If you're close you can do it with less than that. I killed a big coyote in Sask while I was walking back to the truck from a goose hunt. Saw the dog and dropped into a ditch. Crawled as close as I could and smacked him with a 3" steel BB. He did the spinning top thing then died pretty much on the spot. Now, I'd use lead if I were doing it on purpose but sometimes you just have to dance with the one that brung you.
 
My experience is similar to Scott's.... I have certain areas where I carry a baikal 12 gauge .223 combo gun because the bush is tight...... th e12 gauge gets selected for the ones that bust out close.... That being said, I use the Hevi because I bought a ox and it is only two shells lesser than when I bought it 2 or so years ago.....
 
Hunting with my brother and uncle, we had a coyote scare away the turkeys, then come right up to us. We hit it with a couple turkey loads of #4 shot in the head and chest. It was well perforated on the near side, nothing made it through, but it was dead dead dead. Range was about 10 yards max. The same performance i'd expect on a turkey. So with a 3" shell and BB shot I'd be comfortable as far as the pattern is good, likely 40 yards max as was mentioned. But if I wanted to preserve the pelt I'd use a rifle. Why were you thinking of using 12 gauge exactly?
 
Last edited:
Last one I killed was with 7.5 target load. Did it a favour as it had a terrible case of the mange and was stupid enough to run by me while i was rabbit hunting. Not indestructible, just skiddish and fast
 
Hornady makes a varmint express load that is availiable in bb. I've shot the number 4 buck with mediocre results. I have heard really good things about the bb load though. It has a special wad too. Think it's supposed to be shot through a modified. Ten round box about $15.00.
Personally I use 3" mag rem no4 buck about 40 yard range. I was using a 1-4 scope on my rem 870 because buck wouldn't shoot to the bead. Red dot would be good though and just put one on my gun.
 
skokie said:
So you're more interested in putting them down than the hides I assume? Fair enough.
Click to expand...

Believe it or not the 12g doesn't do much damage to the pelt. Unless you were to shoot it really close before the pattern opens up.



This one took 2 shots from the 12g no4 buck. Second shot was a finisher. It was down on the first. This sold as a "top lot" coyote. My only one so far.
 
Hollow Point said:
I'd like to try using my 12 ga for coyotes. What loads are people using for coyotes and what are you getting for range?

Provincial regs limit me to lead shot no larger than BB and steel no larger than F. Don't want to spend between $8.00 and $9.00 dollars per shot for Hevi-Shot Dead coyote loads.

Also anyone use optics or dots on their shotgun for coyote?
Click to expand...

I've been using a few old lead goose loads of 1 3/8oz of BB in a 2 3/4"shell. With my 870 and an extended full choke I have a pattern I'm happy with out to about 40 yards, I doubt the shots ability to reach the vitals unless broadside, much past that. I haven't had the opportunity to use it on a yote yet. I wish we could run buckshot for shooting coyotes in this province, it would make it easier and give me more confidence in performance particularly if shots stretch past 40 yards.
 
I am not sure about the laws were you are but for us in Ontario we can't use buck shot for coyotes well big game season is open ..deer moose and stuff but after the big game gun season closed we can use all buck shot and slugs or rifles for coyotes. Really got to read the reg carefully. .if you can't use buckshot were you are a three inch turkey load hits them really had out to 30 yards bb may get you another 10 yards. Pattern your gun with a few different loads and see what holds a great pattern out to 40 yards. Dutch
 
BigUglyMan said:
If I were in your situation I would find some 3" 1 7/8oz BBs and go from there. If you're close you can do it with less than that. I killed a big coyote in Sask while I was walking back to the truck from a goose hunt. Saw the dog and dropped into a ditch. Crawled as close as I could and smacked him with a 3" steel BB. He did the spinning top thing then died pretty much on the spot. Now, I'd use lead if I were doing it on purpose but sometimes you just have to dance with the one that brung you.
Click to expand...

I believe it is illegal no out of province shooters to bag yotes here.

Just sayin
 
A buddy sold his Benelli recently and had a Hevi-Shot Dead-Coyote tube left over, perfect timing since I just got myself a LH Franchi that uses the same tubes... Gave it a try last week with 00 Buck and surprised the chit out of me, I was getting all the pellets in a foot-wide even pattern at 40 yards! Can't wait to try #4 Buck out of it, if it's close to that performance I'd say 50-60 yard shots are within it's limits.
 
I use a Benelli M2 with a Carlson's Coyote Choke, and No. 4 Buck. Great patterns at 50 yards, and will not hesitate out to 60...maybe 70? We always hunt in pairs with one shotgun one rifle, so a bit academic.
 
dutchhunter said:
I am not sure about the laws were you are but for us in Ontario we can't use buck shot for coyotes well big game season is open ..deer moose and stuff but after the big game gun season closed we can use all buck shot and slugs or rifles for coyotes. Really got to read the reg carefully. .if you can't use buckshot were you are a three inch turkey load hits them really had out to 30 yards bb may get you another 10 yards. Pattern your gun with a few different loads and see what holds a great pattern out to 40 yards. Dutch
Click to expand...

In the province of NB it is unlawful to carry a centerfire rifle .23 caliber or larger, a shotgun with lead shot larger than BB or Steel (non-toxic) larger than T when hunting outside of a big game season, and you immediately loose that privilege as soon as you fill you big game tag. Our laws can be a touch on the confusing side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom