Originally Posted By: Marcl84I hear a lot about using #4 buckshot. But what about lead BBs, shots will be limited to around 40 yards?
I used 2-3/4 lead BB for years, with good results. Head shots, when possible, are the best.
As with any shot & gun, you should check the pattern beforehand, to judge the best choke size for your gun & load.
I am an oddball, as I have always preferred BB, or even #2 high-brass turkey/pheasant loads, thru a .660-.682 turkey choke.
I'm willing to give up a little range, and even a little energy, to get a higher number of pellets in the target.
I know people always complain that those sizes "don't get thru hair & penetrate".
B.S....They do. Maybe not as much, but they do. And if you go for head shots, you don't have to worry about getting thru hair. They break the skull just fine.
Prior to beginning to call, I hunted with my dad, out of a truck, shotgunning from about 1979-1995.
Because it was his truck & gun, what I shot was what he bought....which was Federal 2-3/4 #4 Buck.
The gun was an Ithaca 37 "riot gun"...8-shot mag; 20" cylinder bore barrel.
At 40 yds, it put about 6 pellets in a paper plate.
Head shots...coyotes were dead before they hit the ground & slid to a stop.
But, I myself, was never happy with the few number of pellets.
So, when I stopped hunting with dad, and began hunting with calls, that's when I switched to the smaller shot.
I also switched to using a "turkey" gun...which originally was a Winchester 1300 Black Shadow, with a .682 choke.
Kicked like a mule, but I liked the number of pellets that hit the coyote, a whole lot better.
My most recent shotgun: a Remington 870 Express, with a Carlson's .660 choke.
Kicks less than that Winny.
And has an even greater range.