I never shot a coyote yet, but a few years back I did shoot a red fox with a slug. Big mistake, It made an exit wound as big as a softball. This was with remington copper solid slugs. However if you really want to use slugs, maybe some of the old style foster slugs would not be as destructive, I know that they are not as destructive on deer, and in my opinion not as accurate. 3 inch #4 buck makes those quick shots on nervous critters a little easier. I like my 12 gauge at night and 223 for daylight.