Shotguns and coyotes

powdergun

powdergun

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Thinking about yotes after deer season and I want to pack a shotgun for calling in the thick stuff or if a dog pops up close. I've got a Mossy 500 pump with the accuchokes.

My question for those of you who have used shotguns before is:

1) What size shot do you use
2 What choke do you use

Thanks
 
Coyotes I have shot with shotguns have been mostly while bird hunting. Three shot with 6's and 5's didn't die neatly or without fuss. A couple shot with 2's died quicker. I'd suggest using 2's or BB's, and at no more than 40 yd.
 
Hornady makes a "3in Heavy Magnum Coyote" lead BB round but I have yet to find it on shelves. I recently found some Winchester Extended Range 3" Tungsten B marketed for coyotes but it was $15 for 5 rounds. Here in NB we are restricted to nothing larger than BB in varmint season otherwise I would just pack #4 Buck Hornady Varmint Express...
 
I never leave home without a five pack 3 SSG's and 2 slugs. They are always within reach should the opportunity present itself. I have been in the truck on way home and seen coyotes with mange and not be able to euthanize them. Also had them come out while grouse hunting. Better to have and not need then to need and not have.
 
I use to hunt coyotes a fair bit with a Savage 24 in .222 over 20 ga. I had BBs in the shotgun barrel but never killed a coyote outright with the shotgun. The .222 worked well though. I have since located some SSG buckshot loads for the 20 ga. and will use it on a coyote to see how it works.
 
I would give some consideration to patterning your intended load, especially if you might be tempted (compelled) to take long shots out around 40 yards.
 
Thanks for the info. I'll look for some good loads at the local stores. I'm looking forward to some fun as I'm finding a pile of the buggers out there when I'm deer hunting. I already took one with an arrow so hopefully if we don't get too much f'ing snow this year there will be a few hides hanging on the shed wall.

I've got my .223 all tuned up so a shotgun for the close ones and I'll be ready to go.
 
We used to load our own 2 3/4 inch BBs in 12 gauge. 58 pellets if I recall correctly. They produced a much more effective pattern at 40 -50 yards than buckshot. Many coyotes fell to them.
 
In the past I used to be able to get Imperial high brass 2 3/4 BB's in lead. They were an awesome load for geese.( And I suspect coyotes as well) I only wish I could find some now.
 
Duffy said:
I use to hunt coyotes a fair bit with a Savage 24 in .222 over 20 ga. I had BBs in the shotgun barrel but never killed a coyote outright with the shotgun. The .222 worked well though. I have since located some SSG buckshot loads for the 20 ga. and will use it on a coyote to see how it works.
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I always wanted a combination gun, I figured it be great yote gun in the woods, but most of what I read mentions how its hard to have both barrels anywhere near the same POI, hows yours shoot?
 
heavyBullet said:
I always wanted a combination gun, I figured it be great yote gun in the woods, but most of what I read mentions how its hard to have both barrels anywhere near the same POI, hows yours shoot?
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I sight the combo in to shoot the .222 right on at 100 yards and so it is pretty well right on at 40 yards and the 20 ga. is pretty well min. of coyote at that range as well. I would not shoot at a coyote with the 20 ga. beyond about 40 yards and 30 yards would be better and doable. I have shot a pile of grouse with the 20 ga. and bird shot as well.

I have sighted the 20 ga. for slugs as well. But the slug and a .222 will not go to the same group at a distance.

I have one in 30/30 over 20 ga. and it shoots good enough with the rifle tube to kill a deer at moderate range but the 20 with a slug will not print in the same group. But for deer and grouse the combo is good to go.
 
I like my 3 1/2" citori with #4 buck and 54 pellets in a load I can give a coyote a quick two barrel blast.
 
I lucked into a big dog one year whiel I was goose hunting. I used 3" Steel BBs because that's what I had on hand. Worked OK but the shot was a touch long and required a coup de grace. If I was setting out calling dogs I would use something like #4 Buck.
 
powdergun said:
What would you fellas recommend for a choke with the large shot sizes especially buckshot ?
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That would depend on what your gun likes. We have used both full, because the barrel didn't have interchangeable chokes, and modified. Both have worked.
Even 3 inch steel
BBBs would probably work as long as they were the 1500-1700 fps variety and not just 1300 fps. We had BBBs go right through half inch plywood at 30 yards and yet factory steel BBs didn't.
 
BigUglyMan said:
I lucked into a big dog one year whiel I was goose hunting. I used 3" Steel BBs because that's what I had on hand. Worked OK but the shot was a touch long and required a coup de grace. If I was setting out calling dogs I would use something like #4 Buck.
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+1

I've been experimenting with the shotgun and coyotes this fall....I have 8 down so far. I started out with the hornady 3 inch heavy mag coyote lead bb, and am now using the hornady varmint express #4 buckshot. For this application I think the No4 buck is drastically superior to the BB.

Re choke....I've been rocking the good old cylinder bore, but with loads that use the flight control/VersaTite type wad. These wads make super tight patterns from cylinder bored guns....my max effective range with the no4 buck from hornady is about 55 yards.

Cheers,

Brobee
 
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