No-lead 12 GA shotgun load recommendations?

[RegionRat]

Since I can no longer shoot coyotes with lead shotgun loads in CA, I am searching for recommendations from folks with no-lead coyote experience.

It took me a while to settle on shotgun loads for coyotes back when there were no restrictions.

The experience showed me that selecting a 12 GA shotgun load that kills quickly wasn't trivial.

I spend time with by Best Man where we will team up rifle and shotgun.

As a result, we postponed dealing with the shotgun load replacement but it has circled back around to time to figure this one out again.

I was happy with Hornady's Heavy Magnum Coyote which was nickel plated lead BB 3".

Those were developed in a collaboration with Les Johnson of Predator Quest fame and I thought they worked well, even out past 40 yards.

Does anyone have a favorite no-lead 12 GA load that they would recommend, 2 3/4 or Magnum, factory or load recipe?

 

[Rick Richard]

Apex TSS tungsten ammo. It ain't cheap, but they make Predator ammo .

 

[brcfo_outdoors]

I carry the Winchester Drylok, which is a steel BB goose load. Can't say I have had the opportunity to use it much, but it does pack a punch. I started piggybacking a red dot on my scope and mostly leave the shotgun in the truck. Less to carry that way.

https://www.brownells.com/ammunitio...ridge_1=AEE_12+Gauge&avs|Shot+Size_1=ov1ov1BB

 

[Left Hand Dave]

Haven't used it but heard good things about Boss shotgun loads. They are copper plated bismuth. Also not cheap but what is anymore?

Boss Shotshells

Originally crafter Copper-Plated non-toxic shotshells freely made in the USA.

bossshotshells.com

 

[LouisianaHunter]

Haven't used it but heard good things about Boss shotgun loads. They are copper plated bismuth. Also not cheap but what is anymore?

Boss Shotshells

Originally crafter Copper-Plated non-toxic shotshells freely made in the USA.

bossshotshells.com

Haven't used them on coyotes ,but they work great on mallards. Looking at their website 2s are the biggest shot offered . Also note they are 20 to the box ,not 25.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Buy Dead Coyote 12 Gauge HS43035 for USD 102.99 | HEVI-Shot

Shopping for the Dead Coyote - Learn more about the latest Dead Coyote and other hunting or shooting gear at HEVI-Shot.

www.hevishot.com

expensive stuff, but I have a few boxes and have hunted geese with them

 

[ADR..]

Heavier than lead offerings are the way to go. Bismuth, heavy shot and TSS are some available. TSS is the most dense and the most effective especially at extended ranges. It is also expensive. To save money I just starting making my own shells. Plus traps can be made to catch your shot when patterning so you don't waste it.

 

[Quintus]

Hevi Shot Dead Coyote is tough to beat. T and BB options and it will penetrate. I have not looked for it since the plague began so not sure on availability right now.

 

[Orange Dust]

Heavier than lead offerings are the way to go. Bismuth, heavy shot and TSS are some available. TSS is the most dense and the most effective especially at extended ranges. It is also expensive. To save money I just starting making my own shells. Plus traps can be made to catch your shot when patterning so you don't waste it.

Bismuth is NOT heavier than lead. It weighs 9.5 gm/cc. Lead is nearly 12 depending on hardness and plated or not. Bismuth is heavier than steel but not much. Tungsten is the way to go here.

 

[Rosebud]

Move to Texas, shoot what you want! Just joking!

 

[jake545]

Give Andrew a call if you have any questions. 662-441-2739;1001

APEX TSS no4 out to 60-70yds, or if you want to stretch out to 100 or so, use no 2 or BB

Predator / Deer - Apex Ammunition

Shotshells for predators traditionally meant low pattern count and massive lead pellets leading to limited performance. Our TSS offered in 4s, 2s and BB shot sizes capitalizes on superior density to deliver extended range and […]

apexmunition.com

 

[brcfo_outdoors]

$13 a shell for some of these, you might as well switch to .50BMG and save money. At the end of the day they are just coyotes.

 

[RegionRat]

Move to Texas, shoot what you want! Just joking!

My career took me into TX often, and later on one of my HQs was moved to McKinney.

I've spent many great days hunting/fishing with friends in TX and nearly moved there to avoid taxes but my girls wouldn't budge.

It would have happened long ago if I could have persuaded the wife but she was a Nurse Practitioner and didn't want to leave Kaiser here and start all over someplace new. Now that we are both retired, it is back on the table....

 

[RegionRat]

$13 a shell for some of these, you might as well switch to .50BMG and save money. At the end of the day they are just coyotes.

Yup.
When I was a kid, they used to pay good money for pelts of all sorts. (I was raised in Indiana, not SoCal.)

Fast forward several decades and hides are nearly worthless and ammo and fuel costs are sky high.

The ranches and orchards I shoot belong to my friends, or I wouldn't bother. They take care of me, so I take care of them. Win-win is few and far between these days.....

Thanks for the pointers, I do appreciate it.