"Dead Coyote" shotgun shells???

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ElmoreB84

New member
I just purchased a new shotgun for predator hunting and figured while I was at the gun store I'd buy some "Dead Coyote" shells, that is until I saw the price! In your opinion are the "Dead Coyote" shot shells worth the $3+ per shell price that they fetch at the store? If so, what makes them so much better than the conventional lead shot? I can't see spending atleast double the money unless I am going to get double the performance out of the shell.
 
IMHO it is sorta like this. Plain jane magnum plated lead BB's or No. Four Buck shot is like the .30-06 of the big game world. Doesn't cost a bunch, easy to get, works quite well and has a good history of killing stuff. It isn't fancy or flashy but does a good workmanlike job.

The "denser than lead" stuff like Hevi-Shot and Wingmaster HD, along with Federal and Winchesters versions, are kinda like the "Weatherby Magnums" of big game hunting. They cost more, they're harder to get, are kinda flashy and exotic, and might offer a little increase in performance especially at longer ranges. It is up to you if you want or need the extra performance.
 
Well put GC. I've personally witnessed shotgunned coyotes that were dead on their feet at 80+ yards with dead coyote ammo. That being said, I hunt coyotes 4-5 days a week making 8-12 stands everyday I'm out. As a result, I shoot the cheap stuff. Both have their place in the market for sure.

Tom Austin
 
WELL...let's compare the cost...3 in Remington #4 buckshot vs 3 in Dead Coyote.... The Remington's are about $6.00 for 5 or about $1.25 each give or take a little..the DEAD COYOTE the last time I checked was about $40.00 per 10 which is getting near $4.00 per shot, even if the price is down to $30.00 which I don't now I haven't even looke lately.. I'don't think they are 3 or 4 times as good and heck if the old coyote needs another $1.25 to finish it then give it to em'...The DEAD COYOTE is the master killer, but I don't think it's worth 4 times the good ole' Big Green's...just my opinion
 
I had to take the $35 in the wallet, since I had to have non-toxic shot for public land that I hunt. Didn't like to do it, especially when I had a brand new box of 4 buck in the truck that cost me about $5.
 
Save your money! # 4 buck's hard to beat for the money. Dead coyote is way overpriced!! We have personally killed coyotes out to 60 plus yards with 3.5" number 4 buck. If they took the name off the box, they would probably have a lot harder time charging 3 dollars a round!
 
I agree with you Ultimate Predator. Like alot of things I think they're getting about a $1.50 per shell just because they're called "Dead Coyote". I could possible see paying they're prices if there was a significant benefit in using them, but have yet to hear of even one.
 
They can get you a little more range, but like GC said, if you hunt a lot the #4 is a better way to go.
 
I like it, but I don't think I went through a full box last season. I'll spend $30 a season on shotgun shells. If I used more I'd stick with #4 buckshot.

Nate
 
I carry a remington 11-87 and shoot 3 1/2 inch Winchester Super-X Magnum Buffered #4 Buckshot 54 Pellets with a improved modified choke they will anchor a coyote out to 60-65 yards.
 
rickyb,
Federal makes a Premium load of plated lead BB's that sells for about $30 per box of 25 shells and kills coyotes quite dead. Or, compare the Hevi-Shot Dead Coyote with the Remington Wingmaster HD in both T & BB size pellets. Sometimes Remington has a pretty decent rebate on the HD stuff. I bought a case of it and received $150 back in a rebate check.
 
Any way you cut it 35 $ for 10 shotgun shells is rediculous! If you only hunt two or three times a year, I might see trying to justify spending that kind of money but if you hunt on a regular basis its simply not practical. Hevi-shot would sell alot more shot shells if they would be mabye 15 to 20 percent higher than num 4 buck not 300 % ! Thats roughly how much more down range killing ability of "dead coyote". Now if they could kill a coyote at 150 plus yards or so I might consider it. lol
 
Quote:Now if they could kill a coyote at 150 plus yards or so I might consider it. lol

If they could do that I'd buy stock in the company.

Nate
 
What I have found this past season is that the HD stuff breaks em down at the longer ranges a lot better than the lead. I have shot several coyotes this season with 3.5 #4 Buck, and with HD BB's. The BB's out penatrate the larger #4 Buck by a long shot. I hate the price, but I still pay $26.00 for 10rds of #4 Buck at $12.99 a box. Or, I can buy the HD stuff for $31.00 for 10rds. Not a whole lot of difference. Shooting the 3.5's in pricey any way you look at it. Just my $.02
 
I shot dead coyote for the last 2 years and first part of this year. With all the marketing I thought is was better than the #4 buck, but we were getting too many second and third shots. Ended up with a coyote on the right flank on one call 35 yards from my buddy and 61 from me. After 2 shots (wingmaster HD T buck) from him and 3 shots (dead coyote) from me, all 3.5 inch mags, we are done shooting the crap. Coyote had no broken bones on the legs and almost needed a shot when we got up to it. That coyote was broadside and presented what should have been an easy one shot kill at 35 yards for my buddy. Most of our extra shots have come from coyotes running away. My buddy now shoots #4 buck and I have started loading my own duplex buffered loads with OO buck and #4 buck. So far it patterned best. I have a good #1 buck load too. The #4 buck and bigger pellets don't seem to need so many extra shots. I need to do some more testing too. WIngmast HD T buck (1350 fps)that my buddy was shooting bounces off plywood at 50 yards, #4 buck (1100 fps) penetrates 1/2 way (1/4 inch) and mushrooms and the OO buck (1200 fps) goes all the way thru. I want to test them in ballistic gel or wet phone books to see what they do too. Coyotes are not like wood too much but there is a major difference in the penetration in plywood.
 
i have posted stories like this as well in the paast, glad 2 see some 1 agrees w/ me, dead coyote has nothing on #4 buck period...........it's a gimic, lead vs. tungsten..... give me lead any day!!!
 
Man after shooting a few boxes of both 4 buck and Rem HD t shot I will gladly pay the price for the Rem HD T shot. It patterns so much better for me and is leathel! I don't shoot nere as many coyotes as a lot of guys and shooting $3.50 a shell is not that big of deal to me.

It is not a "gimic"! It is not hype or marketing. The stuff is deadly. I like the Remington better than the dead coyote.

I have also shot coyotes with my 22-250 right in the chest and had them run off, is my 22-250 is a gimmick?

Pop the money for a few boxes and buy a quality turkey choke and go shoot it through 3/4 in plywood at 60 yards and then shoot number 4 buck and she what you think then. More pellets that still have a ton of velocity and killing power at that range.
 
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