Buckshot For Coyotes?

H

hogboy44

New member
Just bought a new Mossberg shotgun for thick-cover coyote hunting. I need some suggestions for buckshot loads to try. My shots will range from 10 to 50 yards.

I tried the search feature to find related posts, but it didn't work for me.

I'm only interested in 3-inch shells (or 2.75-inch). No roman candles for me.

I hear #4 buck is good. What brands do you guys use, and how do they perform for you?

Is there a 2.75-inch load that would suit my needs, or is 3-inch the ticket?

I know I need to try several different loads to see which works best in my gun. I'm just trying to get a starting point.

Thanks for the help.
 
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Yeah I would recommend #4 buck 3" shells with at least a full choke...I use a super full turkey choke and carry a comfortable pattern out to 60 to 65 yards...as far as brand goes, your shotgun will answer that question for you.
 
I use the Federal 3" 0000 Buck 41 pellets fired out of a Super Full Choke, and I can say that I never had a Coyote walk away from it!
 
Isn't potentially dangerous shooting buckshot out of a super-full turkey choke. I use a shotgun frequently for coyotes, and have heard that anything tighter than than a full choke could have pressure problems.
 
Hey guys; I 've been reading along and would like to know where I can order 3.5 in. #4 buck loads. I can't seem to find them at Cabelas or Bass Pro. I would even be up for 3.5 in.copper BB. Every thing is going Hevi Shot and I don't know that I am sold on it yet. Thanks.
 
Tight pattern at 65 yds.? I don't think I'd be able to shoot past 40yds to kill a yote cleanly with my mossberg 835,shooting 3.5" #4buck.Just my experience patterning my scattergun.I wouldn't even shoot at a turkey at the distances you mentioned.Just my 2cents. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Dogwood Creek,
I think I was able to find some on Cheaperthandirt.com. At the main page, do a search on Item # 67764. I believe that's what you're asking for?

Stupid question for you shotgunners...I had been looking for 10 ga #4 buck. Cheaperthandirt.com item # 67763 says:
"Product Description: Super-X Magnum Buckshot Loads With Buffered Shot, 10 Gauge, 3-1/2" Shell Length, 54 Pellet, 4 Shot Size, 1150 FPS, 5 Rounds Per Box, 50 Boxes Per Case"

Is that lead #4 buckshot? Not actually saying lead #4 buck has got me second-guessing.

Thanks.
Joel
 
I shoot a mossberg 835 I shoot 3" #4 buck with a true glow turkey choke patterns very well in my gun.I have also heard not to shoot buck shot through a turkey choke.I have had no problems.I think if there were any problems they would recomend not using one to keep away law suits.

In bold writing on the box it says MAY BE USED WITH ANY CHOKE.
HPIM1325a.jpg
 
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Where do you all find your BB loads, I don't see it listed anywhere I shop, it's buckshot or birdshot, nothing in between, thanks........
 
There is other previous discussions on this same issue, prior to this post. All I've ever used were "dedicated" Full-Choke shotguns a 30" & 36"(no tubes).

As for shotguns/shot & their effective killing range, everyone has their own opinions. I've never been as concerned about the "pattern" as I was about "kinetic-energy" downrange. Shooting paper, will only give you a rough estimate on a certain shell's pattern on any given day(there are a lot of varibles, that can/will effect it) eg; wind, humidity, & barrel temp. To name a few, from day to day. Same gun....same shells.

I tested my Buckshot loads(#4,#3 & #00-Buck)on 1/2 & 3/4" plywood @ different yardages, to better get a "visual" on kinetic-energy(stopping power). Number two on my list of, what was important. Was the pattern's of my various Buckshot loads. IMO, if the Buckshot will punch on through 1/4" plywood @ a given yardage. Then she was good to go. It'll kill dogs farther than most think. Also as for a 1-shot clean..."ethical?" kill. Who can guarantee that 100% of the time? Not me.
 
I got an 935 Mossberg and tried 4 different chokes using the 3 1/2" #4 Buck, Shoots poorly, Poor as in 2 pellets in the center out of 54. Some in the ground before the target. Shot 3" 00 Buck and got better results, about 6 pellets out of 15 in the center area. I bought the new Dead coyote heavy shot in 3 1/2" T shot. It shoots pretty good at 50 yards with about 12 pellets in a kill zone through a full choke and a pattern master. My browning shot the winchester 3 1/2" #4 buck good.

MIvarmit
 
Lungbuster,

I'm going on memory, so bear with me. Around 20yrs ago I had a 30" Pump Full-Choke barrel shotgun & a 36" Full-Choke Bolt-action Goose-gun. I used # 4 & #3 Buffered Buckshot mostly. I think Remington ammo? I have used also #00 as well(just not as often...to few a pellets).

I set-up my (1/2" & 3/4")plywood @ 50, 75 & 100yrds. Also I set them up around 85-90yrds as well. These were not exact yardages, but very close(stepped-off).

#4 Buck (some of the pellet's) would splinter the backside of the 3/4" plywood @ 75yds. Some of the pellets would "bore" on through.
#4 Buck on the 1/2" plywood would mostly bore through @ 75yrds.

#3Buck would mostly punch on through 3/4"beyond 75yrds.

#00 would punch on through(mostly) 3/4" plywood @ 100yrds.

Again, my only point being. All buckshot carries efficient energy to kill a coyote out to a 100yrds. The only problem with this is the pattern of your specific shotgun. I killed my largest coyote a(50lb'er) with my 36" Goose-gun. With 2-#4Buckshot @ 100 & 110yrds(estimated) coulda been a little farther. 1st one broadside @ 100yrds. 2nd #4Buck, hit him in the rump @ 110yrds. 3rd shot a #00Buck(it might of been a #3Buck?) hit him broadside, @ 110yrds. That last one, he went "stiff" & fell right over DRT. Like he was frozen stiff. Get some plywood & see what I'm saying.
 
Oh, by the way. All of the Buckshot I used was "unplated". IMO, "bare lead" will "deform" & cut into fur & flesh better than plated. Try plated vs unplated & see for yourself, which will penetrate plywood better.
 
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