12ga for coyotes

[robbor]

I need a new shotgun for coyote hunting. Im looking for an auto and max range.
Im also seriously considering getting a camo gun.
How durable is the camo coating?
Im thinking about a mossberg or charles daily, anyone know of anything good or bad about either?
Lastly what diameter constrictions seem to perform the best at long range for you guys? Ive heard the dead coyote is .665 and does not quite shoot as advertised, but .675 and .670 do well also.

[Darrel in Minn]

With shotguns, get the one that fits you best. From what I have heard, dead coyote is a potent load. You will probably have to pattern your gun to see what is the best choke. Can't tell you much on camo finish. I use a matt gun myself. Darrel

[Gary in NH]

I haven't used my shotgun on coyotes but love its function, feel and looks. It is a Stoeger 2000, a semi-auto which comes in different barrel lengths(3"chamber) and a couple of camo patterns. I love this shotgun and so far have not had a single failure to feed or fire.....

[Brian in Oregon]

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c43/BrianInOregon/Guns/1187spstrstg.jpg

My coyote shotgun is a Remington 1187 Turkey Gun. This is the older 3" chambered model, fully camo'd. It came with Tru-Glo sights, but I replaced them with Trijicon RE-01 tritium night sights for dim light and full moon hunting (legal in Oregon on land you own or are the agent of the landowner). I installed a Remington R3 recoil pad (which is made for them by Limbsaver). I'm using a factory Remington turkey super full choke with Federal Premium 3" #4 buckshot. At 50 yards this combination will lace a coyote from nose to rump. I like the low felt recoil and control of the gun, allowing fast followup shots.

http://www.trijicon.com/parts/33F3.jpg
Trijicon RE-01 night sight (http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=55&back_row=9&categoryID=7)

Alas, Remington no longer makes my 3" turkey model. I thought it was the ideal platform as-is.

Remington has shifted production to the 3.5" Super Mag. These can be had in various camo versions. Some are dedicated turkey guns with shorter barrels, some with rifle sights. Others are field guns with longer barrels, making them more dual purpose. The vent rib guns can always have fiber optic sights like Tru-Glo's added. I have some vent rib 1187's set up this way.

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/lgsil_1187spstcamo.jpg
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_11-87/model_11-87_SPS-T_camo.asp

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/lgsil_1187sptthumbhole.jpg
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_11-87/model_11-87_SP-T_thumbhole.asp

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/lgsil_1187spscamo.jpg
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_11-87/model_11-87_SPS_camo.asp

(Continued in next post due to 8 picture limt per post.)

[Brian in Oregon]

(Continued)

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/lgsil_1187sportsmancamo.jpg
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_11-87/model_11-87_sportsman_camo.asp

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/1187_sportsman_ShurShot_sm.jpg
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_11-87/model_11-87_sportsman_ShurShot_synthetic_turkey.asp

If money and weight are no object, the Remington SP-10 is also made in a special camo'd turkey version:

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_SP-10.asp
http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/lgsil_sp10turkey.jpg

The SP-10 has surprisingly gentle recoil. But it's a heavy gun, weighing around 11 lbs. It's proponents are claiming (and more importantly backing up their claims) with kills out to 70 yards with the right shells and chokes. This is the ultimate coyote shotgun in my book. If I come across a used camo SP-10 at a decent price I might go this route. If all you do is shotgun coyotes, and do a lot of it, this might be worth the expense and the hassle of lugging it around.