The New Huntmastersbbs!: Shotgun Loads for Coyotes

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on January 26, 2015, 06:49 PM:

Which loads do you prefer?

Right now I am using Dead Coyote T shot 3". I also have some Winchester Super X 3" lead BB shot. These are both for the Mossberg.

I have some Nitro lead #4 for the Browning Auto 5.We can't use #4 buck at night in NJ.

Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on January 26, 2015, 07:24 PM:

49, use the largest legal Non Steel shot that you can find and change chokes till it patterns the best. I assume the Browning is an older gun that isn't Steel& Non toxic proofed? If so you might try some of the KENT brand TungstenMatrix that won't hurt your older barrel. I've used it in a Non steel shot Ithaca 37 and it's safe to use.

Posted by Fur_n_Dirt (Member # 4467) on January 26, 2015, 07:55 PM:

As I recall , we discussed this recently..

I use the same dead coyote 3" T . My buddy dropped a coyote from 60 yards during a tournament using it. And it dropped!

We didn't want him to leave, so we spent 15 bucks on him (3 shots)

Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on January 27, 2015, 02:37 AM:

I'm partial to Federal 3" BB.

Food for thought; If you set a shotgun up with a tight choke for >50 yard minute of coyote patterns, the day will come when you miss a coyote dancing thru the brush at 20 yards 'cause your pattern is only the size of a grapefruit at close range.
When this day does come, be assured that;
(1) It will be witnessed.
and
(2) The witness will promptly tell the whole world, in ever exaggerated details how you missed a coyote right in front of you with a scattergun.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on January 27, 2015, 08:38 AM:

Hunting at night, from the truck, big deal hunts, we were always in the habit of keeping a "shottie" right there, in case a coyote jumped out of a concealed ravine, etc. Historically, this pump shotgun would always be loaded with Federal 3" BB.

At some point, I became dimly aware of the fact that beyond those really close encounters, that shell sometimes seemed ineffective beyond "close in" distances. You don't have time to laser this stuff, but I heard strong recommendations for #4Buck somewhere along the way, probably right after losing an animal that should have been in the truck?

Anyway, after considerable experience with the Federal load, all I can say is WOW, to #4Buckshot! It's just a game changer.

Now, as to fifteen dollars worth of Dead Coyote on a fifteen dollar coyote, it doesn't add up for this kid. Yes, I sure as hell understand "contest" considerations, but what they are charging is beyond reasonable. Aside from the cost, I am not all that tough on recoil, and I understand that you don't really feel it, at the time, but to me, Dead Coyote is s very punishing load. I mean, I have never shot a 460Weatherby, but that's just about where I would rank Dead Coyote. Fuck that!

Utility wise, the Federal BB load is great for shagging a cripple, at least a cripple/wounded that can't get up and run off before you get to him. I've been in that situation a few times and it's not good to be hung out to dry with a "shottie" when you need a rifle. You should have a good idea of how well he's hit before committing, and this is when you have options leaving the vehicle...again, in a night hunting scenario.

I just hate bad hits and inadequate bullets. My philosophy on coyotes is BANG/FLOP. A coyote flipping around, hit with a 223 is so distracting, while you are trying to run the table on multiples, (a billiards term).

Anyway, I can actually make do without a shotgun, if I have to. Avoid shotgun stands where possible. It's not always possible.

I remember talking to Cal, once at a checkin. He said they killed most of their animals in washes with shotguns and although he had a lot more than we did, the ones we had were similarly killed in washes, but we didn't have shotguns. You need to be flexible people, and Clever Gary has that angle covered.

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on January 27, 2015, 09:05 AM:

3" "copper plated" BB loads is what I used to shoot all the time. Shot a lot of coyotes with it, and it always did pretty good. #4 buck is better.

Again, no doubt the Hevi shot or other tungsten type stuff is king, and like Leonard, I fully understand wanting it for certain situations perhaps, but for me, I just refuse to pay.

I will admit, that I have some steel loads that I have shot a few coyotes with lately, and was pleasantly suprised with them. They were all pretty close though, inside 25 yards or so. They will never rival lead or Hevi shot of course, but I may have no other alternative?
Mark

Mark

Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on January 27, 2015, 11:50 AM:

If you don't reload shot shells I recommend trying Fiocchi Nickel Plated lead (if it's legal). I have cut several different sized (shot) shells apart and for the most part they use hardened shot. I'm sold on shot hardness over any plating or dip (Nickel & Copper). Remington in times past used a better grade of shot & then Copper Plate it, that was a good thing regardless of size it flew straight and hit hard and was easier to produce than Nickel Plated Shot but they started using softer shot and became counter productive to pay extra for it. I about gave up looking for Nickel Plated shot until I found the Fiocchi High velocity Nickel plated Duck loads over seas. Its not as common in the USA but can still be found in Oklahoma & Tejas errrr I mean Texas in turkey loads & buck shot. From what I've seen on the pattern board it is probably superior to anything available in a factory load (excluding the 3.50$ per shot stuff that I've never used).
If you reload and can use lead, find some "Lawrence Magnum" hard lead, I consider it the best of the best, at least until something better comes along.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on January 27, 2015, 12:39 PM:

quote:
I have cut several different sized (shot) shells apart Mike $ Phillips

That just about gave me the vapors, when I thought about Dead Coyote! You've discovered what's worse than shooting $5 shotgun shells at coyotes....for me, it would be, cutting them open! Yikes!

Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on January 27, 2015, 02:30 PM:

Thanks guys.

I guess I will stick with the Dead coyote in the Mossberg for now.

As far as the Auto 5 goes, it's hard to find 2 3/4" coyote appropriate sized loads that are safe and legal here at night.

Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on January 27, 2015, 02:38 PM:

No Dead Coyote shells here LB, but awhile back I looked up component prices for hevi shot on BP's site "Ballistic Products" they listed their similar(?) shot at 34.00$ per lb. w/a 2lb. minimum. Although it's expensive I would load my own if forced to use it.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on January 27, 2015, 03:29 PM:

I have been hand loading for 47 years, but only rifle and handgun. Never thought I used enough shotshells to start, since I only occasionally shoot trap and hardly ever skeet and I'm not a waterfowler, so, not a big consumer.

What could motivate me would be some kind of very lethal specific purpose load such as what PP is talking about. But, I'm not there yet.

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on January 27, 2015, 04:10 PM:

Appx 2 yrs ago I was in a Bass Pro emporium and actually found a bag of Magnum (hard lead) shot, I started to pick it up but saw the 63.00$ for 25 lbs. price tag and said no way! This past fall I was "winder shoppin" there again, I found another(?) bag of same size shot and it was "only" 48.00$ per 25lb. I have parked my shot shell reloaders for the time being but sooner than later I'll be forced to pay the new age price or ?

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on January 27, 2015, 04:54 PM:

I see more hoarding in your future.

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