Originally Posted by Nomercy448

#4 buck is a very different game than BB.

Pellet count on target has to take into account penetration. A lot less pellets of #4 will kill a coyote than BB. I've killed coyotes with ONE 00 buck pellet hitting the vitals, I've rolled coyotes with #5 turkey that would have had 50+ pellets on target at that range, that got up and ran, sometimes anchored by follow up shots, sometimes not. If 00 buck had a higher shot count, that'd be all I'd ever use. #4 buck gives up penetration and KO power, but it has the perfect blend of shot count and power, so THAT is all I ever intend to use (except for when it's hard to find, or I'm just trying other things).

After all of the testing and field experiences I've had killing coyotes with shotguns, it's really too easy to try screwing things up with trying other things. A 22 Hornet will kill a polar bear, a crescent wrench can drive a nail, and goose or turkey shot will kill coyotes, but that doesn't mean any of them are the right tools for the job. If I have access to a 0.660-680" choke and #4 buck, that's what I use. When #4 Buck has gotten scarce, I swap out for a light modified choke with 00 buck. I've never seen any other shot options do better than #4 buck, and none are more prevalent than 00 buck, so without those two, I'd just take a rifle.

I generally live by a 40 by 40 rule of thumb. I won't hunt with anything that doesn't have 40% of the shot on target at 40yrds, it just doesn't get my attention. Essentially, take that to mean that I want 40% of my shot count on target at whatever range I want to kill game, but balanced with the fact that getting much past 40yrds, shot doesn't have the punch - hence, 40% at 40yrds. If a load and choke combination is LESS than that, I never try it afield.

For #4 buck, whether lead or heavier-than-lead, I'm comfortable at any range that patterns consistently with ~15-20 on target at range (give or take 40%). Keeping in mind, the heart of a coyote is only about the size of a small fist. For BB, 40% should be somewhere in the 35-40pellet ballpark.

Double check me on that number, but without looking, I'm thinking that BB is 50 pellets per ounce, but it's been a long time since I did much goose killing, so I might not be right on that. If I AM right, 2oz would be 100pellets, minus 1/8oz, aka ~6 pellets, for 1 7/8oz loads, so 94 pellets, 40% of that is 38 pellets.

I'll admit, 38 pellets sounds like a lot, but I'm not hugely confident in BB's killing power on coyotes at 40yrds - if the first shot doesn't quickly anchor the dog, the NEXT shot is at 45-50yrds, the 3rd shot is at 65yrds, and BB isn't going to do the job at that range.