Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

2 3/4" Loads for Coyote

7.62x39Lover
Hi guys!

Are there any 12ga. 2 3/4" loads that are good for coyote at practical distances? #4 perhaps?
0

Comments

15 comments

Date Votes
  • fordsix
    #2 magnum good for 2 legged coyotes too
    0
  • Stout Shooting
    No. 4 buck is a good load to shoot.
    0
  • Mobuck
    Nothing smaller than #4 or bigger than 4 buck. Probably BB shot is the best compromise between pattern and penetration.
    0
  • 320090T
    How far you planning to shoot?
    0
  • 7.62x39Lover
    quote:Originally posted by 320090T
    How far you planning to shoot?


    Absolute maximum of 40 yards. Hopefully much less. For ~40 yards and longer I will have an AR-15 on hand.
    0
  • SCOUT5
    quote:Originally posted by Stout Shooting
    No. 4 buck is a good load to shoot.



    Yep. I can attest from experience that #4 buck is an excellent load for this purpose.
    0
  • 7.62x39Lover
    quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
    quote:Originally posted by Stout Shooting
    No. 4 buck is a good load to shoot.



    Yep. I can attest from experience that #4 buck is an excellent load for this purpose.


    Does it have to be a 3" #4 shell, or can you get away with shooting a 2 3/4" #4 shell?
    0
  • asphalt cowboy
    quote:Originally posted by 7.62x39Lover
    quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
    quote:Originally posted by Stout Shooting
    No. 4 buck is a good load to shoot.



    Yep. I can attest from experience that #4 buck is an excellent load for this purpose.


    Does it have to be a 3" #4 shell, or can you get away with shooting a 2 3/4" #4 shell?


    With the right load 2 3/4" would be just as effective.
    I'd recommend you buy several different loads and pattern your gun to see which gives the best pattern for your Maximum intended range. Some brands might even have different loadings that come with 4 Buck shot so try those also.
    0
  • select-fire
    Lead #4s with a full choke 2.3/4. I have some 3" Lead 1.7/8 oz.4's and 2's that really does the job.
    0
  • Grasshopper
    quote:Originally posted by 7.62x39Lover
    quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
    quote:Originally posted by Stout Shooting
    No. 4 buck is a good load to shoot.



    Yep. I can attest from experience that #4 buck is an excellent load for this purpose.


    Does it have to be a 3" #4 shell, or can you get away with shooting a 2 3/4" #4 shell?


    Yea, I have used high brass #4 and nailed a couple at 25-30 yds.
    0
  • David Nunn
    I killed one, using 00Buck in a 12 gauge police shotgun, at a measured 63 yards. Not a clean kill though. First shot hit the coyote, causing it to spin around. Second shot dropped it, but it was still alive. I had to walk in closer and fire a third shot to kill it.

    This was during a time when coyotes were becoming very bold, coming into yards and carrying off cats and small dogs, and we were asked to kill them when we got the chance.
    0
  • SCOUT5
    quote:Originally posted by 7.62x39Lover
    quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
    quote:Originally posted by Stout Shooting
    No. 4 buck is a good load to shoot.



    Yep. I can attest from experience that #4 buck is an excellent load for this purpose.


    Does it have to be a 3" #4 shell, or can you get away with shooting a 2 3/4" #4 shell?


    Depends on your shotgun and the range you need. I've killed coyotes to 60 yards with 2 3/4" shells. But that gun (remington 1100) shot them very well, most guns are limited to about 40 yards. There are 27 pellets in a 2 3/4" shell and 42 in in a 3" shell. Obviously with a good patterning gun you can get more range from a 3" shell. Modified, improved modified and full choke, again it depends on the shotgun.

    I have an Ithaca 37 with an extended Improved Modified that shoots them well, but I haven't hunted coyotes for quite awhile. I've still kill ones I have a chance at while doing other things, but I haven't targeted them for several years. But in the 80's winter fur was a job for me and I called and shot a lot of foxes and coyotes. Different set ups for what you want to target. Coyotes are mostly rifle work, but when I needed to shoot one with a shotgun the #4 buck was what was in the gun as that is what I used calling grey foxes. The #4 buck is the ticket for close coyote work.
    0
  • 320090T
    Load up some 1 1\2 oz #6's with the appropriate amount of Blue Dot powder and fire away. I know these will reach out 65 yards and kill!

    By the way, the height of the brass isnt an indicator of the power of a shotgun shell. Active hulls had no brass and LOTS of room inside to put your favorite load in.
    0
  • kannoneer
    I have never killed a coyote myself, but the guys around here that have killed MANY swear by #4 Buck.
    0
  • 7.62x39Lover
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    I killed one, using 00Buck in a 12 gauge police shotgun, at a measured 63 yards. Not a clean kill though. First shot hit the coyote, causing it to spin around. Second shot dropped it, but it was still alive. I had to walk in closer and fire a third shot to kill it.

    This was during a time when coyotes were becoming very bold, coming into yards and carrying off cats and small dogs, and we were asked to kill them when we got the chance.



    I think it is a good idea to carry some #4 in the trunk for "animal work" if you are a cop.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity