12ga. Choke and Loads for Predators

S

SteveM

Moderator - Deceased
Ok guys, been seeing a few questions about shotguns and loads for predators. We need an information thread here. List your favorite 12ga. loads and chokes that work best with them in your experiences.
 
I get great patterns out of my Benelli Super Black Eagle with Federal Premium 3in #4 buck and Kick's Industries Buckkicker choke tube. The choke is a .680 constriction and I'm getting a 90% pattern in a 20" circle at 40 yards. I'm happy! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Rem 1187 with 18" smoothbore barrel and Wad Wizard choke tube. Federal Premium 3" #4 buck and red dot scope. Great coyote rig out to 50-75 yards.
 
Steve, I learned the hard way about what shot to use. I used 00 buck on coyotes back in the mid 60s and 70s, I also saw a few coyotes run away after being hit with it. Then I started using #2 buck out of a 3" mag, it worked but was not good enough. I tried #4 buck 3" on competition hunts and that was it, it killed em dead and I didn't see any run. I've always used an 870 3" with a full choke and a 28" barrel, for the money it's hard to beat and it does the job. Thats my opinion and it's free lol, Good Hunting.
 
Bowyer, I thought all shotguns were smooth bores? I was always told that's why they call them guns and not rifles. Taking coyotes with an 18" barrel and #4 buck at 75 yards is a trick I've never seen in 40 years of predator hunting, interesting statement. Maybe you hunt at really high altitudes where there is no air resistence.
 
I stated that it is a smoothbore because many of the 18" barrels are rifled slug barrels. That wreaks havoc on a pattern. Sometimes you have to look pretty hard to find a smooth 18" barrel, especially in these days of sabots.

The secret to the range is not the barrel length, but the choke. I have a Patternmaster choke and have just purchased a Wad Wizard. They both operate under the same principal and work very well. The 50 -75 yards is not only from coyotes shot, but also from patterning on paper. I always pattern all my loads and chokes and will not shoot past the killing range. I set up a 1 foot by 2 foot square on my patterning paper and require at least 10 #4 buck to consider using a load at that distance.

I had my doubts too until I bought the choke and tried it.
 
I'm definately a rookie at critter callin', but last year I shot four coyotes inside forty yards with my Moss. 500 with num. 4 buck and had to shoot everyone of them again. There's no doubt that it will break em down, breaks legs no problem, and they usually don't get far, but I did have to track on for a hundred yards then put two more rounds in him to kill him. The 4 buck just dosn't seem to pattern well out of my Moss., I've tryed rem. 3" and fed. prem. 3" thru the modified and xxfull chokes that came with the gun and thru a Briledy x-2 full choke with poor results, so I ordered some nickle plated BBs from BPI and loaded em over 37.5 grs. of Blue Dot with a rem. wad in a Fiocchi clear hull. Almost all 75 pellets hit in a 14 inch circle at 30 yards, thru the Briley full. Let you know how they work, they pattern great but not sure of the killin power.
 
I use a Mossberg 835 with a full choke. The only loads that I have used to kill a coyote with is Winchester Super X 3" #4 buckshot. I shot a coyote with this at about 40 yards and it tore him up.
BWB
 
75yds with a shotgun? I find that to be somewhat difficult.I have never seen a shotgun pattern well at that distance. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
There is a ton of information in the archives if anyone is interested enough to use the SEARCH feature.

With that said, I'm in for this hand too. I use a semiautomatic Benelli M1S90 camo turkey gun. This is a three inch .12 gauge chambering with a 24" inch fiber optic sighted barrel. The gun is also set-up with sling swivels and I have a sling installed. After much experimentation with chokes and loads, I've settled on a Kick's Industries Gobblin' Thunder ported .660" choke tube and Federal Premium 3" number Four Buckshot. This combo is dead nutts at 50-55 yards, 60 yards in the wide open with a standing broadside coyote wouldn't be out of the question. Beyond that and those circumstances, any other would be too far. Inside the 50 yard line and it'll be fur on the ground with this rig. I, or my Dad who uses a shotgun with the number Four Buck, have never experienced a problem dropping coyotes DRN (dead right now!) within our guns, chokes, loads, limitations. We don't try to shoot through too heavy intervening brush or stretch the range beyond our capabilities. We've patterned our rigs on pattern paper on the range and through field experience we know what they'll do-and as important-what they won't. Do that and the coyotes will drop for you with no problems. IMHO of course. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
835 Ultimag with Lohman Marsh Master choke #2 and#4 Heavy shot. Nothing wonts to be in the way out to 60 yards. Same results in my Benelli SBE.

This set up is NOT fur friendly under 40 yards.
 
Benelli M1S90 extra full turkey choke and #6 shot, makes for a great coyote gun out to 10-15 yards /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif That's what i have to use hunting at night in Okieland. I have had pretty good patterns with #4 buckshot and the improved modified but if I can carry a rifle I will.
 
18.5" Mossberg 500 w/ a Hastings Extra-Full extended Turkey choke, ATI pistol grip buttstock and Tri-Viz Turkey sights from HiViz. The thing's so nice to handle it should be considered adultery.
hump.gif
I run Federal 3" #4Buck.
 
Good goin guys!! It might be nice to tell where the chokes you have can be found. Website, phone numbers, stores, etc. Anyone interested will know where to find them.
 
I've used a Mossberg 500 Camo Turkey with a modified choke using #4 buckshot, for the last 7 years.

Have dropped all the yotes in their tracks except last week 10/2, called in a double, both within 35 yards. Blasted both, they ran off. Found one, couldn't find the other. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Guess it happens sometimes, doesn't change my mind about what I use.
 
I have not tried the new HEVI shot, but I am betting that if there is a shotgun load/choke combo that has a sure kill range of more than 60 yards would be with use of HEVI shot. I have tested many shotguns in both ten and twelve gauge. The fodder used was copper or nickle plated and buffered magnums. I had my best luck with BB's. #4 BUCK was a close second. Use an extended choke tube in turkey X full, card shooters tube of .655-.660 or better yet the Kicks "BuckKicker" choke tube. Most twelve gauge shotguns with screw in choke tubes can be tuned to whack coyotes grave yard dead at 45-50 yards, but you would be well advised to test your point of impact and patterns at various ranges before going hunting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I have been using the Federal Premium #4 buck since the 80's. Govt. trappers got me started on them. Same load as they use out of the airplanes and helicopters.
 
"Good goin guys!! It might be nice to tell where the chokes you have can be found. Website, phone numbers, stores, etc. Anyone interested will know where to find them. "

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3630663584&category=36258

Figure out what brand you want and then keep an eye out for it on Ebay. I picked mine up for $17 on Ebay and when I got it, remarkably, the camo paint on it matched my already painted shotgun. It's like they were made for each other. hehe..

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