Close range coyote, I have some 12 gauge 2.75 steel bb's.....how effective would that be on them at close range in summer?

Run full choke?

With a turkey choke 12 gauge, I tipped 1 over in its place once. But it was a 3" load.

Inside 30 yards with the right choke, (IC or Mod with steel BB's), I think they'd be fine. After 30 yards I'd prefer lead, even in summer. I've shot a bunch with 3" tungsten #4 out to and past 50 yds.


I figured a guy like you would have a house full of lead shot.


Pete

their shot suckingness can be incredible and i shoot all 3 1/2 s.

Forget the steel unless you’re talking REAL close. I’ve dropped them at 40 yards with 3” TSS #9’s out of a 20ga. Best bet would be a 12ga and buckshot. I had a choke made that throws a mean pattern out to about 70yds with 3” 00buckshot

i mainly use num 4 buck

Steel shot is a poor choice and economy steel gets you what you paid for it. Steel BB's moving slow will have poor penetration.
When running a shotgun, I'm looking for loads that extend effective range rather than an additional handicapper.

back when we had to go from lead to steel for waterfowl was a learning experience for sure.i don't use steel unless the law says i have to.when steel came into play i called them pillow stuffer rounds cause about all ya got was feathers.

Nope

I thought 2.75 steel bb's would kill a coyote at close range.

Lets say close range = inside 30 meters.

Oh they will, but you might have to double tap them...Steel is light, low inertia, and leaves a lot to be desired in a coyote load.

They will kill though.

Lead is the least weight shot material I would use.

The State plane gunners here used #2 steel un buffered many years ago and at close range it was very effective the did it for a living so I have the believe they knew what they were talking about.

At thirty yards with a full choke lead #6 1 1/8 ounce load will roll one. They get up. you have to keep moving toward them and shooting. #4 buck is effective and doesn't destroy pelts. Which I know isn't an issue in summer. Never used steel. Don't like the taste of ducks or geese. Have not killed either one since before the steel mandate. Thinking that steel might be like bird shot. Roll them and not be lethal. Move forward and keep knocking them down. Will be pups this time of year. Id try to find them and kill them. Starvation aint right even for coyotes.

Jerry, they probably did it for enviromental stipulations, or agency policy....No reason to choose steel over lead, or heavier than lead if you have a choice.

At close range steel is fast and penetrates well at close range, all that is lost at long range trust me back then it was not much of a environmental issue as it rolled them on the spot, the reason for the no buffer was the wind and prop blast would jam the guns when it blew back into the actions.

They had what ever they needed #4 buck was in the same warehouse but they chose the steel!

Okay, I believe you...Seems weird though, since steel had to be more expensive....Interesting though.

I know the #2 size shot will penetrate better on a fully furred coyote...#2 lead is what I use for winter dogs.

Lead BB kills em dead at some impressive distances if you’ve done your homework and patterned for the best results. Good luck finding it anymore.

4 buck is a distant second.

Marty, what are you calling close range ?? #2 lead is the only choice for me. The BB size shot sometimes will not penetrate as well, because of the wad a fur it takes with it at times, same with some larger buck shot sizes. The #2 lead 12ga if a fine load when shot gunning furbearers.

RTT

Shooting steel BB,s, I'd keep shots at 30 yards and under and go For the HEAD!!
No body shots.