#4 buck 3 1/2" 12 gauge Good for coyotes??

J

jetman

New member
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I'm loading some 12, 3 1/2 #4 buck loads. there 2oz,41 pellets over 41 gr of "Steel" powder. They should be going around 1350. I patterned them with a X full turkey choke in my 870 at 70 yards.
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and got 23 hits in a 2'X4' board
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Most every shot got the same 23 hits. Do you think it's lethal at that range? I have some #"F" plated lead coming to try too. I have taken coyotes out to 80 yards with "dead coyote" "hevi-shot" 3 1/2" 12 but was looking to keep the cost under the $3.50 of that brand.Thoughts???
 
First at that range I would use a rifle. The target area of 2'x4' is a little large for a pattern since a coyote is no where near that big. Looking at the center target which is the one I would be using for a pattern, I count 8 holes that would be in a kill zone. Did they penetrate the plywood? If not they probably wont kill a coyote at that range.
 
A coyotes vitals are about 8"... call it 10" just for an extra feel good measure. That's inches not feet. Your target of 24" x 48" is like... elephant size. Pellets through the guts or legs don't kill coyotes. Keep it realistic for consistent clean kills.
 
I have killed foxes using 3" #4 buck @ 60yds but coyotes might be another story...maybe keep shots inside 50-60yds depending on pattern and penetration.
 
My favorite target when patterning shot loads is a CD. I lay it on white paper and shoot it with black primer. This is a very realistic idea of what your shooting at, and gives a dose of reality.

Personally, Id shrink the shot size, up the speed and buffer and If you can get the unslit multi metal wads from BPI, try playing with different length slits.


Great patterns, but I would totally plan on emptying my gun on a coyote at that range. My 870 super mag holds 7 rounds.
 
Originally Posted By: GCA coyotes vitals are about 8"... call it 10" just for an extra feel good measure. That's inches not feet. Your target of 24" x 48" is like... elephant size. Pellets through the guts or legs don't kill coyotes. Keep it realistic for consistent clean kills.


I'm absolutely no expert when it comes to shotguns, but I agree completely with GC here.

I know your intentions are good buddy, no fault there. But your expectations are bit optimistic. All this 70yd shotgun talk is hype my man. Has it happened? Sure it has. But only a miniscule percentage. For all intents and purposes, a shotgun is a max 50yd weapon and even that is with a tailored load out.

Keep trying, you'll find it buddy
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Chupa
 
Just a couple of thoughts from one who has recently gone through the process of putting lead on paper.
Listen to what has already been said!
Why shoot a 3 1/2" load with only 41 pellets, the 3" factory stuff in #4 buckshot is 41 pellet
Play with your choke. At least in mine (and a bunch of others) the extra full choke does not work at all well with buckshot of any size.
Mine is shooting the best patterns with #4 buckshot with a modified choke. Just short of 50% of the pellets in an 8X10 target at 45 yards.
 
Originally Posted By: mtncatJust a couple of thoughts from one who has recently gone through the process of putting lead on paper.
Listen to what has already been said!
Why shoot a 3 1/2" load with only 41 pellets, the 3" factory stuff in #4 buckshot is 41 pelletPlay with your choke. At least in mine (and a bunch of others) the extra full choke does not work at all well with buckshot of any size.
Mine is shooting the best patterns with #4 buckshot with a modified choke. Just short of 50% of the pellets in an 8X10 target at 45 yards.

He needs the space for all that steel powder.
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Flaky stuff takes up alot of volume. I prefer faster powders for colder weather. I use win 540 with 39 4b pellets in a BP multi-metal wad with 3" Fiocchi hulls buffered and roll crimped. 7-10 pellets in 10" circle at 40 yrds with full choke tube. RR
 
No way I'd use a turkey choke for #4 buck. Normally once you go past #2 bird shot you need a more open choke to get full choke patterns. The larger the shot the more open the choke o prevent blowing the pattern. With #4 Buck I'd start with Full, but you may find modified, or even light mod gives you a much better pattern. Go above #4 buck you might find you best patterns with IC.
 
jetman, if you ever order anything from BPI get some lead BBB shot or lead T shot. Lead BBB and lead T shot work great on coyotes and your pellet count will be much higher.

I wouldn't try doing patterns at 50 yards until you get some GREAT patterns at 40 yards. If you are going to shoot at coyotes over 50 yards away use a rifle.

The lead T pellets are big enough to kill or break leg bones and cause paralyzing spine injury's on coyotes that are running away from you.

With the same load you are loading now it should have right at 60 lead T shot pellets in it. When I weighed the BPI lead T pellets there was 4 pellets per each 1/8 oz of shot.

1-7/8 oz of shot = 60 lead T shot pellets.
 
Originally Posted By: spiaailliBroadside you hit it twice. Not good!

How do you get that? I may can see the facing argument but looks like 8 (maybe nine if thats a double hit bottom left) pellets is a 8 1/2" x 11" paper. That's not too much larger than a coyote midsection (you even get more lenth than the paper if counting neck & hind quarters). I wouldn't expect the coyote to go straight down like a piano fell on him, but I'm sure that would kill him.

However, I agree with most of the posters. 50 yards is shotgun range, much past that & it gets REAL iffy. I'm amazed you got any cosistancy of pellet hits at 70 yards much less "23 everytime" unless you didn't shoot much. However, the target shown looks like it would kill a BROADSIDE coyote to me... He may run off a ways though...???
 
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You know I do realize that a GOOD shotgun range is under 50 yards. SO if one runs by you at 60 or 70 yards you let him go?? There is a lot of time I'm asked out to help get rid of coyotes, I shootem in the spring,summer,and fall,not just the winter for the fur. When your trying to CONTROL them a good hit is as good as a kill... I use a rifle when I'm expecting them over 50 yards ,some times I get it wrong,and have to shoot hem at 10 yards with my 45/70 some times I have to shootem at 500 yards with my 22/250. I was just trying to optimize my CONTROL of the coyotes and there is times all I have is the 870 and the dogs are at 70 yards, I don't go home!
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Originally Posted By: jetman
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You know I do realize that a GOOD shotgun range is under 50 yards. SO if one runs by you at 60 or 70 yards you let him go??

Yep... I let it go. I don't purposely gut shoot anything.
 
Originally Posted By: jetman
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You know I do realize that a GOOD shotgun range is under 50 yards. SO if one runs by you at 60 or 70 yards you let him go??


This question is eerily similar to another frequently asked question here.
The answer is always a question itself: How many limits are you willing to put on your stand?

I put ALOT of limits on my shotgun stands, not because of my weapon or load out, but because I'm horrible with a shotgun
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I'm not bashin ya brother, or trying to run you down. Please don't take it so. Trying to help.



Chupa
 
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