RE: non electronic calling and shotgun loads?
There is not such a thing as a "best all around manual call". We all will have a "favorite", but even the "favorite" won't always work. So, he who wants to have success most, will have several "favorites" that they use and have success with. My favorite is the Verminator Thumper and Tweetie calls, followed by my Lone Wolf open reed call, followed by Tallyho and my Critr-call peewee, then I have several closed reed calls that do well when I use them, which isn't very often. I'd guess that there are very few if anyone that calls constantly with hand calls. I typically will do a series of maybe 5 upto 15 seconds of calling, than sit silent for any where from 15 sec. upto a minute or more. Try to mix it up, don't fall into a rythme. As far as shotgun load, 4 buck is quite effective out to 50 yrds. on broadside coyotes.