Shotgun loads for coyotes and fox.

[SabreKiller]

My son in law would like me to load him some 2-3/4 inch 12 gauge loads for a varmint competition he's entered with another friend of his. I've only ever loaded for birds and skeet and trap and have used factory 000 buck for yotes when I've called them and used a shotgun. I mostly use a .223. Anyways, he originally asked about using plated #2's and then he read something about using F shot. If I load him some 2-3/4 inch 12 gauge with 1-3/8 oz. of either Forum or F shot with 27 grains of Longshot, which one is going to give him better long range knockdown? Thanks!

[DUKFVR]

I would look at bigger TSS shot. Expensive ,but deadly.

[duckhunter175]

If its a competition with a purse attached I'd be loading up TSS 2s or 3s and flight control wads if I can find them. Otherwise federal has a Blogs and Groups bismuth waterfowl load with flight control wad.

I'm a big proponent of their flight control wad after running their LE OO buck and seeing how it patterns compared to other 00 buck options, really amazing how it keeps things together. Found the same to be true with their Turkey loads.

[Texas Grown]

TSS or lead in 2 or 4. When I lived in Ohio 40 years ago, fox could only be hunted at night with 2 or 4 shot. TSS is going to carry a very long way. Snow goose hunters are using 6 and 7 shot out to 100 yards in 20ga. TSS 18 has almost twice density as lead.

[fish4food]

I’ve always used Number 4 Buckshot.

if I could afford it, I’d buy TSS and shoot dogs with that. I’ve hunted with a few guys that shoot it, and it darn sure reaches out there and kills them.

[okrattler]

TSS would be awesome but it's super expensive. Lead BB is my favorite with lead 4 buck coming in at a close 2nd. I haven't ever been a fan of larger shot like 00 buck. It just hasn't ever patterned as reliably. The smaller BB shot has a denser pattern and more than enough to kill coyotes and bobcats.

T shot is what is loaded in the Hevi Shot Dead Coyote loads I believe. That would probably be okay too but it may be way harder to find in lead than BB shot.

[SabreKiller]

Thanks for the information. After some research, it's apparent that TSS is the way to go, but it's more expensive than he wants to pay. I think he's going to just get the Forum shot.

[okrattler]

Is the 2 shot lead or steel? I would think those would be awesome for shootin foxes.

[SabreKiller]

Is the 2 shot lead or steel? I would think those would be awesome for shootin foxes.

They're lead I believe is what he said.

[okrattler]

They're lead I believe is what he said.

I think I'd want those loaded up to see how they pattern. They'd kill a coyote or bobcat but I'd have those in the gun if I was setting up for foxes especially. More pellets would make a denser pattern. Those little boogers don't stand still very long and if they take off running that'd give him less room for error if he was sending more projectiles in their direction. I'd load up a burner shell or two of different size shot and see what patterns best out to 35 or 40 yards in his gun.

One thing about it is I try to shoot coyotes and stuff in the head with a shotgun. That way they get some in the brain and neck and if they're a little further they'll take a few to the front half of their body where the vitals are. Head shots are the way to go with a shotgun when you're varmint huntin. In my opinion. Unless of course they're running then you're just shooting for wherever.

I'm dumb. I didn't read very good. You asked about F shot or 2 shot. If that's his two choices I'd say load both and have him pattern one of each. If he gets several hits on a paper plate out to 35 yards with the larger shot I'd say run both. I'd put 2 shot in the barrel and the larger shot following it because if he's shooting at a moving coyote he'll be hitting it in the hind end. That larger shot is more likely to break bone and stop a coyote long enough to get a better hit or two on it. The first shot will be the closest and most likely a headshot. That's just my take on it.

[chrisk]

T shot