Arizona Bushman
New member
Since the inception of the Heavy Magnum Coyote shells from Hornady, I have been successful in dropping over a dozen predators. The list includes coyotes, foxes and even a couple of bobcats. During my run, I simply took the advice given on the box and utilized a modified choke from my 20 inch Remington 870.
Always looking for improvements in my program, I decided to gather up five of the most popular chokes for the classic Remington and put them to the test. The chokes that I have chosen for this segment include; The Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full, Turkey and the Carlson's "Dead Coyote".
The pattern testing was performed using "field conditions" to best simulate what I personally have experienced in my local environment. All shots were taken free-handed from the same seat that I would use to call from. I subsequently set up my shooting lane in a location where I have taken a coyote or two. Also note that I set up my target with a slight wind blowing into the face of my simulated coyote. Two shots were taken with the recommended Imp Cyl. and Mod chokes. I averaged the two numbers and provided the best picture. A single shot is taken using the other chokes with pictures also provided.
To begin the pattern procedure, I place the target out at an easy 75 feet/25 yards to verify that my point of impact matches my point of aim. Note that I am using a reflex type sight. Meaning that it is simply a matter of placing a red dot over the target and easing into the trigger.
Pictured: The target is at 75 feet. If you look a little above the target and to the right, you will notice a patch of prickly pear cactus. Just beyond that will be 125 feet and is where I place the target for the long range portion of testing. I may or may not have actually killed a coyote in that same vicinity in the last few weeks. (
Below is the results of the 75 foot test using the Improved Cylinder choke. As you can see, I am shooting pretty straight and I do not know of any coyotes that can take over 40 BB's to the vitals and live to tell about it. Notice the big hole where the Versatite wad also contributed to the casualty factor. From my experience, this combination is not very fur friendly under 25 yards.
Pictured, is the same choke combination at a distance of 125 feet. The total average at this range was 13 hits into the vital area and a pretty decent spread across the entire coyote. I would definitely trust this set up to quickly put down a charging predator within 125 feet. Notice that the pattern actually shifted towards the tail of the coyote. If you remember, I had set up with a pretty good breeze from right to left and believe that the pattern was pushed slightly by the wind.
For the next portion of this, I decide to go from one end of the constriction spectrum to the other and secure the "Dead Coyote" choke into my barrel. As you can see, the results are quite a bit different than that of the Improved Cylinder. The ultra tight combination produced less hits to the vital area and I actually found the wad a few yards beyond the target and the little flight control wings had not been deployed. This combination averaged 9 hits, which probably would have required a follow-up shot on a flesh and bone coyote.
Not wanting to use my choke wrench just yet, I un-screwed the "Dead Coyote" and swapped it out with a Remington HD Turkey Choke. I had a Turkey sandwich and walked around the area looking for any wildlife sign. After my lunch break and well rested, I put some more lead to paper and actually ended up with the exact same results between the two tight chokes. 9 hits @ 125 feet. Once again the wad failed to deploy the flight control wings and was found beyond the target.
Next up was the Full Choke........and the results stayed the same. 9 hits at 125 feet, probably would have required a follow up shot to make a kill.
I left my proven choke for last. As I stated before; I have taken over a dozen predators using the Modified choke with this load and was already aware of the limitations to it's performance. On paper I averaged 18 hits at range and found a fully deployed Versatite wad about half way to the target.
For the last test, I decided to simulate "Coyote Fever". The target was brought back to the original 25 yards. I cracked open a fresh Red Bull, drank the contents and then went for a quick jog and performed about 50 push-ups. I immediately sat down, loaded the magazine tube, released the safety and took a snap shot at the target to fully simulate the emotions of when a coyote catches you off guard. I shot a little high, but as you can see the pattern would have folded any impeding predator. Also take note of the wad, once again penetrating the cardboard at close range.
In conclusion, I had a lot of fun putting this together. By no means are my training procedures scientific or for everybody in every situation. I get a lot of Private Messages from guys all over the country and try my best to help people out on a one on one basis. So hopefully this piece can assist guys with limited resources and those who shy away from the expense of shooting six dollar shells. By no means is the contained information meant to start a "My shotgun does this" grudge match but simply a look into a field-proven way to set up a shotgun for predator hunting in Central Arizona.
Thanks for reading and best of luck in 2014.
Always looking for improvements in my program, I decided to gather up five of the most popular chokes for the classic Remington and put them to the test. The chokes that I have chosen for this segment include; The Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full, Turkey and the Carlson's "Dead Coyote".
The pattern testing was performed using "field conditions" to best simulate what I personally have experienced in my local environment. All shots were taken free-handed from the same seat that I would use to call from. I subsequently set up my shooting lane in a location where I have taken a coyote or two. Also note that I set up my target with a slight wind blowing into the face of my simulated coyote. Two shots were taken with the recommended Imp Cyl. and Mod chokes. I averaged the two numbers and provided the best picture. A single shot is taken using the other chokes with pictures also provided.
To begin the pattern procedure, I place the target out at an easy 75 feet/25 yards to verify that my point of impact matches my point of aim. Note that I am using a reflex type sight. Meaning that it is simply a matter of placing a red dot over the target and easing into the trigger.
Pictured: The target is at 75 feet. If you look a little above the target and to the right, you will notice a patch of prickly pear cactus. Just beyond that will be 125 feet and is where I place the target for the long range portion of testing. I may or may not have actually killed a coyote in that same vicinity in the last few weeks. (
Below is the results of the 75 foot test using the Improved Cylinder choke. As you can see, I am shooting pretty straight and I do not know of any coyotes that can take over 40 BB's to the vitals and live to tell about it. Notice the big hole where the Versatite wad also contributed to the casualty factor. From my experience, this combination is not very fur friendly under 25 yards.
Pictured, is the same choke combination at a distance of 125 feet. The total average at this range was 13 hits into the vital area and a pretty decent spread across the entire coyote. I would definitely trust this set up to quickly put down a charging predator within 125 feet. Notice that the pattern actually shifted towards the tail of the coyote. If you remember, I had set up with a pretty good breeze from right to left and believe that the pattern was pushed slightly by the wind.
For the next portion of this, I decide to go from one end of the constriction spectrum to the other and secure the "Dead Coyote" choke into my barrel. As you can see, the results are quite a bit different than that of the Improved Cylinder. The ultra tight combination produced less hits to the vital area and I actually found the wad a few yards beyond the target and the little flight control wings had not been deployed. This combination averaged 9 hits, which probably would have required a follow-up shot on a flesh and bone coyote.
Not wanting to use my choke wrench just yet, I un-screwed the "Dead Coyote" and swapped it out with a Remington HD Turkey Choke. I had a Turkey sandwich and walked around the area looking for any wildlife sign. After my lunch break and well rested, I put some more lead to paper and actually ended up with the exact same results between the two tight chokes. 9 hits @ 125 feet. Once again the wad failed to deploy the flight control wings and was found beyond the target.
Next up was the Full Choke........and the results stayed the same. 9 hits at 125 feet, probably would have required a follow up shot to make a kill.
I left my proven choke for last. As I stated before; I have taken over a dozen predators using the Modified choke with this load and was already aware of the limitations to it's performance. On paper I averaged 18 hits at range and found a fully deployed Versatite wad about half way to the target.
For the last test, I decided to simulate "Coyote Fever". The target was brought back to the original 25 yards. I cracked open a fresh Red Bull, drank the contents and then went for a quick jog and performed about 50 push-ups. I immediately sat down, loaded the magazine tube, released the safety and took a snap shot at the target to fully simulate the emotions of when a coyote catches you off guard. I shot a little high, but as you can see the pattern would have folded any impeding predator. Also take note of the wad, once again penetrating the cardboard at close range.
In conclusion, I had a lot of fun putting this together. By no means are my training procedures scientific or for everybody in every situation. I get a lot of Private Messages from guys all over the country and try my best to help people out on a one on one basis. So hopefully this piece can assist guys with limited resources and those who shy away from the expense of shooting six dollar shells. By no means is the contained information meant to start a "My shotgun does this" grudge match but simply a look into a field-proven way to set up a shotgun for predator hunting in Central Arizona.
Thanks for reading and best of luck in 2014.
