Bluedeacon
New member
Ok guys, forgive my ignorance here, I don't reload shot shells, but can a 12 gauge 3 and 1/2 inch magnum be loaded for #4 buck shot for yotes? Wouldn't it be better than the 2 and 3/4 # 4s for yotes?
12 gauge 3 and 1/2 inch magnum, #4 buckshot?
- Thread starter Bluedeacon
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Rich Cronk
New member
Bluedeacon,
My own testing of twelve gauge shotguns showed me that the 2&3/4" "magnum" loads would throw a more dense pattern than the three incher's. The 2&3/4" fodder also threw their patterns at greater velocity than did the three incher's.
I once did considerable testing of some ten gauge guns too. Results showed that a twelve would kill just as far as a ten when using lead shot. I spoke with Mark Banser and told him of my findings. Mark Banser's answer? "We are seeing the same thing HERE".
I once asked the folks at Kicks choke tube company about the three and a half inch shells in twelve gauge. I was told that I would just get more fliers in the pattern and sure kill range would be no further than a three incher.
A lot of folks do not believe me until they try it for theirselves. Please remember that I am talking about using LEAD shot here. The new Tungsten/iron "hevi" shot will likely make the old lead fodder all but obsolete. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
My own testing of twelve gauge shotguns showed me that the 2&3/4" "magnum" loads would throw a more dense pattern than the three incher's. The 2&3/4" fodder also threw their patterns at greater velocity than did the three incher's.
I once did considerable testing of some ten gauge guns too. Results showed that a twelve would kill just as far as a ten when using lead shot. I spoke with Mark Banser and told him of my findings. Mark Banser's answer? "We are seeing the same thing HERE".
I once asked the folks at Kicks choke tube company about the three and a half inch shells in twelve gauge. I was told that I would just get more fliers in the pattern and sure kill range would be no further than a three incher.
A lot of folks do not believe me until they try it for theirselves. Please remember that I am talking about using LEAD shot here. The new Tungsten/iron "hevi" shot will likely make the old lead fodder all but obsolete. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I've used 3 inch Remington #4 buck on yotes with wonderful results. Rolls them decisively out to 40 yards.
But I have not done a pattern comparison between them and the 2 3/4 inch #4 buck load so I can't say which one actually throws a better pattern.
I don't see any need to go to a 3 1/3 in hull for this purpose when the 3 inchers work so well.
But I have not done a pattern comparison between them and the 2 3/4 inch #4 buck load so I can't say which one actually throws a better pattern.
I don't see any need to go to a 3 1/3 in hull for this purpose when the 3 inchers work so well.
Bluedeacon
New member
Ok, so what I'm gathering here is that the 3 and 1/2 inch was developed for waterfowl/steel loads, If the 3 and 1/2 doesn't make the lead shot perform any better. I don't think the steel would perform well at all on coyotes. The tungsten/iron stuff I don't know about.
Stu, can you buy the 3" in #4 buck? And what choke are you using?
Rich, Will tungsten /iron perform like lead, (flatten out, etc.)?
Stu, can you buy the 3" in #4 buck? And what choke are you using?
Rich, Will tungsten /iron perform like lead, (flatten out, etc.)?
Yeah, these are Remngton factory loads. I've used through everything from modified to my extra full Hastings turkey tube.
Rich Cronk
New member
Bluedeacon,
I have never tried the new HEVI shot myself, mostly because I have so much of the old lead shot fodder around here already. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif All I know about the HEVY shot is what I read about it. The HEVY shot is odd looking stuff, not even round. It is harder than lead or steel and from what I read about the stuff, it shoots good patterns even from standard modified choke tubes. It is expensive to buy, but sounds like it may well be worth the price if you are really serious about shotgunning coyotes.
In the lead shot line, you want to use copper or nickle plated shot that is buffered. Federal "premium" or Wincester XX magnum in either BB or #4 BUCK (not birdshot). Like Stu has already stated, the 3" fodder will whack coyotes grave yard dead at 40 yards (or further). For best results you should pattern your gun/ammo through different choke tubes to see what your gun likes best and where the pattern is actually striking in relation to where you are aiming.
I have never tried the new HEVI shot myself, mostly because I have so much of the old lead shot fodder around here already. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif All I know about the HEVY shot is what I read about it. The HEVY shot is odd looking stuff, not even round. It is harder than lead or steel and from what I read about the stuff, it shoots good patterns even from standard modified choke tubes. It is expensive to buy, but sounds like it may well be worth the price if you are really serious about shotgunning coyotes.
In the lead shot line, you want to use copper or nickle plated shot that is buffered. Federal "premium" or Wincester XX magnum in either BB or #4 BUCK (not birdshot). Like Stu has already stated, the 3" fodder will whack coyotes grave yard dead at 40 yards (or further). For best results you should pattern your gun/ammo through different choke tubes to see what your gun likes best and where the pattern is actually striking in relation to where you are aiming.
I patterned 2 3/4" and 3" out of my Benelli M1 Super 90. I believe that the 2 3/4" 9 pellet Winchester is the way to go. Much faster than 3 1/2", and patterns better than 3". Just for giggles, I tried my SBE with 3 1/2" through it, and I still like the smaller shell better. You give up too much velocity and patterns are not what I would consider ideal. I have not shot a coyote with it yet, but many who have like the 2 3/4" for the reasons mentioned above.
Blake
Blake