Coyotes and Shotguns????

Hagen

New member
What do you guys use? Im thinking of buying a shotgun for in the woods hunting. What setups work Best for Coyotes????(Chokes,Shells etc.)

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Hey Hagen, there are a number of threads around here that you might gain some information from as far as choke/load/gun combos. One of the best is a Stickyin the Firearms section about New Shotgun Pattern Test Results (I can't copy and paste for some reason). It's long but very informative!
I use an old Mossy 835, Carlson's Coyote choke, Remington 3" #4 buck and it works well for me. IMO there is no way to get around pattern testing to find a choke/load combo.
 
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I personally use a remington 1187, with a turkey extra full choke, and 3 1/2" hevi shot dead coyote load which has produced great results patterns really good.
 
I like semi-autos or pumps that can shoot 3 shells or more for coyotes. I have used a Rem 870 pump that had a 26" barrel but I have used my Rem 3" 12 ga 11-87 and a Beretta 3" 12 ga AL 391 Urika much more often and they both have 28" barrels. I like using the longer barrels because it is much easier to NOT point the barrel at my feet when I am laying or sitting down with my shotgun while calling coyotes.

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This is what a 28" barrel on a semi-auto or pump looks like while laying down.
IMG_0220.jpg

Here is a picture of my son laying down in open country while calling coyotes.

If you have a 3 shot 3" 12 ga shotgun that you hunt birds with that shotgun will work fine on coyotes. Some of the running shots you can have while coyote hunting are just like shooting at fast flying birds. You have to lead them or you will be shooting behind them.

Lead number 4 buckshot and copper coated or nickel plated lead BBs are the two most popular lead shot loads. Improved modified choke, full choke and turkey chokes are used quite a bit for predator calling with lead loads.

I have to use lead free shot were I hunt coyotes so I use a modified or improved modified choke with the denser than lead loads that I use. The tungsten alloy denser than lead loads pattern very tight so a real tight choke is not needed.
The tungsten alloy loads work great but they cost 3 to 5 times more than some of the lead loads do.

No matter what shotgun you use or load you use be ready to shoot a coyote more than one time. If you knock a coyote down with a shotgun and it is still moving keep shooting it until it stops moving.
 
i use a mossberg 535 turkey gun with 18" barrel and modified choke with Hornady dead coyote shells in 3" shells and BBs

I use a US hunter plastic clip on stand to keep the barrel out of the dirt when sitting.
http://www.ushunter.net/catalog/category/5347597

i also use a blackhawk adjustable stock that absorbs some of the recoil.

I like it since the clip on keeps the barrel out of the dirt, and the stock sucks up the recoil, and the mossberg isn't nothing special and i don't care if it gets scratched. I wouldn't take one of my expensive shotguns out for coyotes. I wanted it to be small, light, and not expensive, so i would make sure to take it to every stand.
It drops coyotes inside 50yrds dead.

I have used the Hornady BB shell to shoot a bobcat and it was 10yrds away and didn't ruin the pelt. If u want fur friendly, use a shotgun inside 50yrds.
 
NEW shotgun pattern test results
^This thread as mentioned above. Also as mentioned above via the search you can probably find a handful of this same topic with additional info. I think the collective agreement is every shotgun patterns differently with different load & choke combinations, so each much be patterned and evaluated on it's own. Barrels & chambers vary from gun to gun even within the same model line. Also check out the foxpro podcast with carlson's chokes, lots of great info.

I'm a big fan of semi-auto, red-dots, and extended mag tubes for predator hunting shotguns. Lots of options & combinations available, and reviews for most are on this forum. Shotgun is what I carry 95% of the time, not much need for a rifle in my area.

I built this one specifically for predator hunting. Remington versa-max, nordic mag tube, aimpoint-T1, patternmaster code black choke, Hevi-shot dead coyote T, 3-1/2" loaded and 3.00" in the tube, mossy oak brush.
*Sorry for the dupe because I feel like i've posted this a few times, for the same topics.

Enjoy! It's great fun picking out a new gun and doing all the patterning.
 
^^^Listen to Bob.
I shoot a Mossberg 930 turkey model with 24" barrel for predators and love it. I have a Kicks Hi Flyer modified choke on it that quite frankly shoots anything pretty darn good...Hevishot, steel, lead, whatever. For loads..I have used most of the Heavier than lead stuff and it is the best....but...it is pricey, and I will not be paying for it anymore, just aint. I live in California so I cant shoot lead no more. So.. I confess...that I have been and will be shooting big steel shot for predators from here on out. I have been disciplining myself regarding distance, and I have not had any problems killing with it.

If you can shoot lead than #4 buckshot is king. If you want to shoot the best get the Hevi stuff.
Mark
001 by Lonehowl, on Flickr
 
I love Winchester Coyote Loads, I use a Mossberg 835. But, I say shoot a bunch and whatever shoots best out of your gun
 
my mossburg 500 likes the Carlson's turkey choke, unreal tight patterns at 40 yards, using Rem 3", 41 pellets of #4 Buckshot, my barrel is 28" long, gun is a pawn shop special $135 beater. Have a 11/87 and 391 also, both pattern better at 50 yards with the turkey choke with #4 buck shot...never tried heavy shot.

I would encourage all to pattern their shotguns at 40 yards as a "benchmark" as this is really not very far. Then when you have determined your choke that works best, try the 50 yard pattern...

I found a long time ago to use a set of shooting sticks or bench rest to test the guns pattern and point of aim vs impact...eye opening to say the least.

I consider 30 yd pattern boards as ego boosters, real world is 40-65 yard...so, get real!

Note: 3" mag 12ga gas operated auto's are real easy on the shoulder along with recovery time vs pumps and others.

I hunted with two 10ga Ithaca 32" gas operated auto's that would shoot coyote to pieces at 60 yards with 2 1/4 oz of Copper plated BB's. I killed several coyotes in the 70-85 yard mark with 54 pellets of #4 Federal buckshot. The 10ga swings slow, and is a wicked field gun...a Real Man's Shotgun for sure!
 
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Originally Posted By: ackleymanI consider 30 yd pattern boards as ego boosters, real world is 40-65 yard...so, get real!
Note: 3" mag 12ga gas operated auto's are real easy on the shoulder along with recovery time vs pumps and others.

I have to agree 100% with this statement.
I use a Mossberg 500 Turkey Special with a 20" barrel and a Carlson's .680" extended non-ported choke. Federal 3" #4 buck, #00 buck and #000 buck all pattern inside a 20" circle, out to 50 yards.

Bowhunter57
 
If I have to shoot a shotgun in a firearms restricted area I have an 870 Turkey gun with a Carlson's Dead Coyote tube in it. Most of the time and either shoot a combo gun 12ga over 5.6x50R Mag or a German Drilling 16ga x 16ga over 6.5x58R Sauer. In the combo guns NP BB's and the 870 DC or 4 Buck.
 


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