What size shot for coyotes

catskinner · April 21, 2007, 02:43:12 PM

A lot of the country I hunt is very dense timber, for these areas I use a .12ga 3"mag, most shots are under 50 yds, occasionally a bobcat might come in. Was wondering what size shot you guys that use shotguns use. I am currently using copper plated BB, they pattern well in my 870 but haven't tried 4 Buck or any thing else for pattern.

CCP · April 21, 2007, 03:01:38 PM

This is only my limited experience I have probably only killed 25 or 30 coyotes with a shotgun. There are far better people with much more experience with a shogun than I.

I have tried alot of different loads for coyotes and have found that #1 buck works best for me. One of the reasons is They seem to anchor better with it and there seems to be a better blood trail for those that don't fall right there. Some of the ones I have shot with # 4 after running off or finding them there was hardly any sign of blood. Meaning the shot rarely if any went through the animal.

I do always give this advice when hunting with a shotgun DONT stop firing until your out of ammo.The reason I say this is I have had more jump back up and run off than stayed put. Of course I have had a few that looked like they were hit with a sledge hammer.

statelinerut · April 21, 2007, 03:03:45 PM

I have been using the Remington Nitro #5's $6.00 at Walmart out of my Mossberg 500 for turkey. They hit extremely hard out to 40 yards and I think they would be amazing on a coyote. They also pattern very well too.

FinsnFur · April 21, 2007, 05:42:27 PM

I think when enough people see this thread, there'll be a swooshing towards the Dead Coyote load. That stuff has seemed to taken over the scatter gun world of predator hunters.
I can remember when everyone swore by #4 ...... those days are gone.

Personally....I've never pointed a shotgun at a coyote in my life. Always been the 22-250...from 15 yards to 115 yards

Bopeye · April 21, 2007, 06:42:41 PM

Went and patterned the 10 gauge with some different loads today. Used #4 buck and BB+......I really like the way the BB's patterned even at 50 yards, but we'll see........

Unfortunately the T shot which is what the Dead Coyote shot happens to be is illegal in my state.
Here's what I use:

catskinner · April 21, 2007, 07:29:06 PM

I haven't heard about the Dead Coyote load, can someone describe that one?

coyotehunter_1 · April 21, 2007, 07:47:44 PM

QuoteI haven't heard about the Dead Coyote load, can someone describe that one?

Dead coyote shotshell loads use T size heavy shot, which like Bop said may not be legal in your area.

Here's a short article on the topic..

http://www.huntingmag.com/small_game/HMcoy_0905/

catskinner · April 21, 2007, 09:43:00 PM

Thanks for the info on the T shot, that was interesting.

Rich · May 10, 2007, 08:03:15 PM

Bopeye ,
I am betting that you made a good choice with the BB sized tungston mixture. Hevy shot being heavier than lead would be just right for coyotes I think. I have killed 45 yard coyotes with copper plated lead BB's out of my 12 gauge. I think as time goes on, the "dead coyote" boys will be switching to size BB or maybe even number 2 Hevi shot. Common sense tells me that a swarm of Hevi shot BB's would be a denser pattern than T shot, and still have plenty of punch left on 55 yard coyotes if correct choke is found for the load.

canine · May 11, 2007, 09:36:12 PM

Dead coyote flat out knocks them DEAD. Very hard hitting load that holds a great pattern.

We have a very good kill on film, which will be on the next video, using the dead coyote load. Poor coyote didn't know what hit him, lights out immediately not even a tail twitch

I used to use #4 buck, till this load came out.

Now I'm not a big shotgunner, I'm like Jim, I like my rifle

JD

Bopeye · May 23, 2007, 12:19:19 AM

Quote from: canine on May 11, 2007, 09:36:12 PM

Now I'm not a big shotgunner, I'm like Jim, I like my rifle

JD

Little shotgunners can play too. Just slide your butt up to a big oak tree, it should keep your narrow arse from being knocked over........... :roflmao:

Jimmie in Ky · May 23, 2007, 12:30:52 PM

I happen to use copper plated bb in my 870. It is also the largest shot size allowed in my state for about half the year, the same time fur is prime

It does a darned good job out to 45 yards or so. Like Rich I am eagerly looking forward to the heavyshot and dead coyote loads in this size if I can find them. I did find some 2's last winter and was sorely tempted to buy them and see what they could do. The heavier and denser the load the better in my book.

The t shot dead coyote is as deadly a load as there is if they are legal in your state. Jimmie

Rich · May 23, 2007, 02:43:53 PM

Jimmie in Ky ,
Guess what old buddy? I think maybe you should have bought that box of #2's. Better yet, youcould have bought two boxes and sent one box of the buggers to ME.

weedwalker · May 23, 2007, 04:51:37 PM

Jimmy, We can use T shot in Ky. The regs say no buckshot. T is smaller than buckshot. I talked to my CO about it and he also said it was legal. There may be some areas like LBL were we can't use it but most places it's OK. Myself, I use copper plated BB when I use my shotgun.

Jimmie in Ky · May 23, 2007, 05:06:03 PM

Definately a no no in th LBL. And everywhere else in the sytate depends on the CO your talking too. Some are real sticklers for th rules and some not. With all other hunting seasons closed right now we can use anything we want while hunting coyotes.

Rich, I am thinking that with a standard full choke that load would do th job to sixty yards or so. Just got to get my hands on some and see. If it will , it would be an excellent load for the LBL where th target may be a kitty. I am also hearing rumoprs of some new choke tubes made specifically for this stuff but haven't seen one yet myself. But at the price they had on them, you'll have to buy your own. But then that is probably why you want me to give you one

Jimmie

weedwalker · May 23, 2007, 05:22:52 PM

Jimmy, Cabelas has a Heavy Shot Dead Coyote Choke Tube by Carlson's. It's $29.99. Item #XG-228297. I think it's a .660 choke. Same as a lot of turkey chokes. It may be a little longer, which might hold tighter, but I'm not sure. Cabelas didn't have the exact specs on it. I think I may have read them on Carlson's site.

Ed

catskinner · May 23, 2007, 06:10:23 PM

I was just thinking about this T shot and was wondering about how soft it is. You can shoot it in barrels made for lead shot without hurting them, right?

Rich · May 23, 2007, 06:35:56 PM

Jimmie in Ky ,
You are right about one thing anyway. I wanted you to buy a box of that #2 Hevi shot because you can afford it and I can't.

Let me tell you a true story now. About ten years ago I drove over to Omaha with intentions of picking up a box of copper plated and buffered 12 gauge magnums in size BB. I settled for copper plated #2's because they didn't have the BB fodder in stock. To my pleasant surprise, the coyotes seemed to die just as fast with the #2's and they had been doing with BB's. This is why I am so sure that #2 Hevi shot would be such a winner.

Rich · May 23, 2007, 06:41:40 PM

catskinner ,
If you have a newer model shotgun with screw-in choke tubes, I think you will be ok. It is my opinion that is the older "fixed" choked guns that may be in danger of damaged barrels when using steel or tungston shot.

GC · May 23, 2007, 07:50:45 PM

Quote from: catskinner on May 23, 2007, 06:10:23 PM
I was just thinking about this T shot and was wondering about how soft it is. You can shoot it in barrels made for lead shot without hurting them, right?

Hevi-Shot's Dead Coyote T pellets are hard as hell. You can shoot it safely through any barrel rated for steel shot. But not every choke is rated as being safe for the Hevi-Shot. I could be mistaken, however, I "think" the Carlson's choke is .680" constriction. Now, the newest of the new "denser than lead" stuff from Remington, Winchester, and Federal is soft like lead. Just heavier. There has been some test done recently about just how heavy these "denser than lead" pellets really are. The results are surprising... they do not seem to actually be 10+% heavier than lead as the claims state. Get the right choke and match it with a good load and you can roll a coyote up as dead as Madonna's virginity at 50 yards with a 3" .12 gauge and copper/nickle plated BB's or No. Four Buckshot. If shots are going to be that far or beyond consistently, pack a rifle.