As I browsed through the shelves at Cabela’s I was in search of a cheaper method to take coyotes than Hevi-Shot Dead Coyote. I settled on two different loads. The first being a box of Winchester lead BB shot and the second being a box of Hevi-Shot Hevi-Metal also in a shot size of BB. When I got home I realized that the Hevi-Metal was a Hevi-Shot / Steel shot mix. I thought… what have I just bought, these won’t work.
The Test
We slowly rolled the truck down the road of the Nevada desert. My partner and I stepped out as our other hunting buddy drove off, it was to flat to hide the truck. We nestled into the sage and I began a series of rabbit-in-distress. Twenty seconds later I let out another series of distress cries from my Crit’r Call Song Dog Jr.
Then we scanned the horizon for approaching coyotes. About three minutes into the stand we had a hard charger. He came to 50 yards and hit the brakes. He glanced to his right and looked right at my hunting partner. He didn’t like what he saw (I guess my partner isn’t much to look at). Meanwhile, I was raising the shotgun. He started to turn as I let a round of Hevi-Metal fly down the smooth bore. The load assisted the coyote in his spin and helped him to the ground. I was shocked and impressed.
My Observation
In my opinion Hevi-Shot Dead Coyote is a great load for coyotes, but as we all know they are very expensive. I have found that a load of BB shot is also a good choice when it comes to taking down a coyote, at a much cheaper price. That’s why when I saw the box of 25 shells of Hevi-Shot BB I said, I have to try these out. I didn’t realize until I got them home that they were mixed with steel. But as the test proved, they work.
Other Options
A great standard among many predator hunters has been #4 Buck. I have had it work and alos have had coyotes get away with that load. Like with all shotgun loads, don’t be afraid to keep shooting. Another good load on the bigger end it 00 Buck. It won’t take many of these to bring a coyote down, but there are less pellets, so you might have to keep shooting until you connect.
