Shotgun for coyotes

[jpharcher]

Looking for some input on type of shotgun for coyote hunting.
I have several coyote rifles but my buddy says I should get a shotgun for those up close and personal encounters.
Thoughts?

[bobcat]

Semi-auto. Short barrel is good. Look at turkey guns.

[Hilltop123]

Do you currently own a shotgun? If you do, what's wrong with it, in your eyes?

[jpharcher]

The only one I have is a 1952 JC Higgens 12 gauge pump with a full coke and 28" barrel

[jasnt]

The only one I have is a 1952 JC Higgens 12 gauge pump with a full coke and 28" barrel

nothing wrong with the shotgun you have but if you want a new one I'd take bobcats advise. Semi auto with short barrel and changeable chokes.  Find a buckshot load /choke combo the gun likes and learn your max range with it. I like #4 buck my self but even BB will work. Lead or some kind of hevy shot. Avoid steel IMO

[bobcat]

Lead BB's have worked for me.

[KenPCPilot]

I have a 40 year old 12 gauge pump no choke.  Coyote Hevi Shot ammo patterned tight at 50 yards.  I shot one about 60 yards at a trot and I was a little lagging on the lead and it dropped it.  I am pretty confident that this ammo will make any shotgun a real good close up coyote weapon. 

[Pete112288]

I will back up what the others have said. Short barrel, pump is not bad if you want to save a few pennies from getting a semi. Turkey models are a great choice for size and esp all camo models I like. I like the SureShot style stock cause it can be handled pretty easily one handed if need be, maybe the other hand is still working a call or whatnot. With having a rifle already for distance I like open chokes or no choke. My favorite load is a 2 3/4 shell of #4 buckshot. Like others have said though, BB will work and any other buckshot will work in a pinch. I shot my first coyote at about 40 yards with 00 buck out of a Charles Daly security model pump years ago. Don't underestimate a good load that has been patterned. On coyotes I have seen great results out to almost 100 yards if it is the correct load and choke combination. However I personally would rather have the rifle for longer and shotty for 50 yards and under. I bought a bolt action 223 years ago and only shot 1 coyote with it and missed 1. The rest all came in too close and too quick and ended up using the old shotgun anyways. Anyway I digress, that's my 

[jasnt]

Took this coyote with #4 buck. Was a lucky shot. 76 yards down hill. Got him with one pellet right where it counts

Shotgun is a weatherby pa459 with DIY camo

[jpharcher]

Nice Jasnt!
All the reading I have been doing on  power pac chokes is they are not recommended for modern shotgun loads so looking for something modern.

[fast1]

Double barrel coach gun! It's good for 100yds in the movies!! I like the semi auto for quick follow up shots,but practicew ith a pump in good hands can be deadly as well.,

[AWS]

For close cover hunting I prefer a combination shotgun/rifle, that way I have instant selection of weapon without having to swap weapons.

Drilling 16x16x/6.5x58R coyote was killed with an oz of NP BB's at 39 paces.  I don't worry about having a single shot, rarely do you get a second in tight cover.  Having long range capabilities of big loads of buckshot isn't neccessary either as the rifle barrel is there for anything over forty yards.



Combo shotgun/rifle 12/5.6x50R Mag coyote was killed at 70 yards with the rifle when she hung up between some 6' high Manzanita.



If you look hard you can find good ones for less than a new SA shotgun and way less than buying a rifle and a shotgun.  I would personally stay away from any that have a selector and or hammer as they are much slower to use and even harder if you want to scope one.

I working with a new combo gun this season 12ga/22 Savage Highpower(5.6x52R) ammo is $19/20 just a little hard to find.   So far with factory loads I can cover five shots with the palm of my hand at 200 yards and that is with a heavy reticle 1x4 Shotgun scope, with a little finer crosshair she should be good to 300 on coyotes cost $495. w/rings.