Shotgun barrel length for coyotes
 

I recently acquired a Benelli Supernova action (sans barrel and stock), and I'm thinking about making a dedicated coyote rig with it (already have 5 other Supernovas). This will be a "back up" while calling over a rifle, as well as a primary when calling at night.

At any rate, I picked up the action for $40 and ordered a Benelli Steady-Grip stock for $180, then added a B-Square Saddle Mount and a TruGlo open red dot sight.

But now I'm stuck on the barrel. I can't decide what barrel length to get? Carlson's has an 18.5" with a front sight, a 24" vent rib barrel, and a 28" vent rib barrel. Benelli Also offers a variety of barrels, for double the price of the Carlson's tubes.

I like the fast handling, lightweight short barrel for a dog that snuck up behind me downwind, but then again, the patterns on a short barrel are pretty extreme, so it'd be lacking on a dog at night when I'm reaching out 60-70yrds.

In general, I run 00buckshot for coyotes, but occasionally bump down to some T shot (like the Winchester Coyote loads) and I'd like to try out some of the Hevi-shot Dead Coyote loads (complete with Carlson's Dead Coyote Choke).

So pros and cons for either? Any good advice on a "proper" barrel length is appreciated!

With the advent of modern screw-in chokes (extended version), I would opt for the shorter barrel for those opportunities when they walk right into you.

Anything beyond 50 + yards I would use a rifle, unless you have more then one with-in that range and you had the chance to take a double.

On the other hand, maybe one of these days when the wife isn't looking, I'll just buy two barrels for it so I can have the best of both worlds! That's definitely the nice part about "modular" shotgun designs!

It seems like you and I tend to agree on stuff like this, so what would your ideal "coyote shotgun" be? I have a particular "end product" in mind for this one, but I'm open to different ideas too.

For me;

Any tactical type shotgun (autoloader or pump / extended magazine: if legal)with EOTech holographic sights and 00 buck.

Low profile bi-pod for easy handling...........call'em in !!!


RR - I've heard people say a longer barrel helps them too "swing" better (clays/upland shooters) .

Pretty much on the nose for what I'm thinking for this shotty.

The plan for this one will be the 18.5" tube with a Carlson's Dead Coyote choke tube (gonna try it at least), a B-square saddle mount with a Truglo (man, I just can't justify an EOTech :hail:, maybe when I win the lottery) open red dot, +2 mag extension (should be flush with the end of the barrel), the Steady Grip (pistol grip) stock, a 1" cheek riser, and a pair of Harris bipods, a 9-13" for prone shooting and a 13-27" for sitting.

As for the bipods, I use 2 part auto epoxy (or bedding compound occasionally) and make a molded "adapter plate" to let a standard Harris bed to different guns, like leveraction rifles or shotguns. I've also made several out of leather, but the epoxy looks really slick, like a factory job, and goes MUCH faster.

Hopefully it patterns well with the short barrel and the new choke. I've heard great things, but I've yet to try it myself. I'll also be patterning a choke tube for 00buck, so I can be a little more versatile, use anything from the bismuth T's to good old fashioned lead 00buckshot.

Now all I need is someone that's good with an airbrush to put Wile E. Coyote on the stock for me!!

RR,

Understood & agree 100% .................that's the reason for the EOTech sight on a rig like this (coyote killer).


Otherwise, I see no reason for sights on a shotgun (not even turkey hunting for me).

That's actually one of the pitfalls i see for red-dot type sights in general. Your effective sight radius changes from say 28" down to only 2" at best. The reflector makes up a little ground for variability, but I usually feel like I'm giving up a LOT for downrange precision.

On the upside, it's a shotgun, not a slugger, so having my POA "centered" in the pattern (net POI) is pretty forgiving, and an unexact science. It's dang nice, on the other hand, to be able to shoot more heads up style, with my eye on the running dog, rather than the sights. It aint perfect, but it's the best of both worlds for that application. A little mag and high viz "reticle", plus a full field view.