mauser06

ok...save me the "every gun is different" speech..i know that...

just looking for a starting point here...i shoot a remington 870 express mag turkey gun(3") with a 21" barrel...going to pattern it with #4 buck for predator hunting..was recommended #4 buckshot for yotes and fox...picked up 3 boxes of remington express 3" mag loads (41 pellets) i have 3 chokes for the gun...stock extended extra full turkey choke, a Undertaker Hevi-shot extended choke(ID is a hair larger than the remington turkey choke...wanna say .670 or .675. and a standard remington modified. never fired buckshot from anything other than the 590 with a straight barrel not made to reach out there...

plan to test all 3 chokes...figuring the undertaker or the modified will throw the best patterns...

just curious if anyone has suggestions or anything...really dont know anything about predator hunting..probably looking for good 40-50yd patterns...but know if i dont get them to just limit my range...i know the undertaker throws great patterns with anything i feed it..

suggestions for a choke if all else fails?? not looking to buy an 80$ choke right now...i will just limit the range if needed...

thanx

Retaks

We always have used No.4 Turkey loads for fox and coyotes when hunting with shotguns. I knwo we are allowed to use buckshot but we know how are guns shoot with the turkey loads already so its easier to just use them.

mauser06

see retaks, ive heard mixed stories...some say a stiff turkey load will put them down...others say BB or #4 buck is needed...actually talked to some buddies that use turkey loads regularly...then i hear of guys sayin it wont work consistanly(probably just pushing the stuff too far)

already got the #4 buckshot...going to see how it patterns...may step down to BB or #2s if it blows them apart...41 .24dia lead balls heading down range...i can see that being VERY devistating to say the least...

stalkingbear

The most important thing is to get good patterns. I believe that a standard factory full or improved modified choke will pattern with #4 buck best. Pattern and possibly get optimum choke and your setup will do fine at close range. The pattern will determine your maximum range.

nchawkeye

Do not shoot buckshot through your turkey chokes, they are made for 4/5/6 shot, you could damage your shotgun...

I have had best luck with improved cylinder when using buckshot.

Retaks

Mauser,
We shoot 3.5in loads and have had no problem out to 35 or 40 yards. Ive got a few Fox with it and 2 of the guys i hunt with regularly use it for Coyote ona regular basis. I would much rather take my 204 for Coyote but i knwo the shotgun will work.

uncle jer

#4 Buck Mod or IC choke copper or nickel plated are better ( don't tangle in hair as bad from being deformed) any will do. Dead Coyote Hevi-Shot also another good choice. All are death on Coyotes within 40 to 50 yards never saw much difference between 2 3/4 and 3 inch, didn't justify spendingmore for 3 inch.

driftrider

Guess you're not interested in selling the pelts, eh? Most guys worry about making two .24cal holes, you plan on making up to 41!

If it were my shotgun, I personally wouldn't use the extra-full turkey tubes with buckshot. It's possible it could damage the barrel, but I'd also guess the large amount of compression of the shot column would badly deform many of the pellets and blow the pattern. I'd try the Modified tube first and see how it does. I don't imagine you'd need too many hits to drop a coyote. I suppose the only way to find out if the #4 buck will pattern out of the turkey tubes is to try it (at your own risk). It's your shotgun.

Good luck,

Mike

mauser06

well, i did a little researching...johnny stewart/HS/undertaker make a predator choke for buckshot and large shot sizes....the ID was the same as my Hevi shot undertaker tube.....675. soooo i tested it and my factory modified. really didnt get great patterns, but after about breaking my nose with the first round, i just couldnt hold er steady lol. the undertaker did look like it did better...put 6 or 7 pellets on the inside of a paper plate at 50yds and 10 at 40. not great, but the other 30 pellets didnt go far...i was tearing the backboard to pieces...shoulda took some big cardboard to see..

driftrider, your right...82 holes in a pelt could be bad new lol...might order a box or BB or #2 lead to pattern..

boy them 3 inchers are stiffer than i remember lol...thumb of my trigger hand was high on the stock and about broke my nose with the first shot. really thought it was broke for a minute..

driftrider

Yeah, 3" mags will definately get your attention...3 1/2" mag shells are just torture. The day I patterned my BPS I shot 30 3" turkey loads from 5 different brands off the bench...NEVER AGAIN. I was sore for 3 days!

If it were me, I'd probably use my 22-250 for yotes. I do know farmers use shotguns to off them, usually with whatever type of shell they have loaded at the moment, but they just want them dead and don't care about the pelts, so the more holes the better. Whatever your goal is, pick the right tool for the job.

Mike