Popular shotgun usage here is for predator hunting and it just became more important as AZ Game and Fish allows shot for Cougars now. I remember reading African Professional hunters are known to use large shot on follow up on wounded leopard so this is something of a classic question. Tightest patterns wanted with Hevi shot in size T or #4 buckshot(lead). Generally the club members use the fullest choke they can but none seem to have patterned them. Since this is the largest of shot, I seem to recall that tighter patterns were discussed as coming from less than the tightest constrictions. Anyone have any pertinent references or experience with such loads and chokes? One of the club members took a cougar at 15yds with T shot and shotguns account for many coyotes & bobcats.
Only way to find out is go to the pattern board...anything else is futile.
At 15 yds, 6's would have worked. I did some extensive patterning of Hevishot "Dead Coyote", 3 inch #4 Buck, 3 inch 00 Buck last year. The Hevishot DC did best with a less than full choke..00 Buck was pretty much useless at much over 35-40 yds. Shooting coyotes with # 4 buck gave quite a few hits, but its a very poor killer. Lots of follow up needed. The "Dead Coyote" which I think is T size was the best. None of it is as good as any rifle you pick.
last Dollar, would you share the constriction or choke you found best with the Dead Coyote T shot? I need to buy chokes but prefer not to have to buy several just to learn what you already know. I agree that a rifle is superior but Game and Fish also opened cougars and coyotes with artificial lights and the coyotes are shotgun only under the lights. (These lighted hunts are limited to selected hunt areas and seasons where either desert bighorn sheep are being decimated by lions or coyotes where they are taking down the antelope fawns in devastating numbers.)
Homeless Joe, I know your answer is correct but if I can get a head start with already developed knowledge (as Last Dollar just provided) it sure saves a lot of money when you start testing with 3 1/2" Hevi Shot loads at 10 rounds for $38. And some of these choke tubes are also priced at $30 -$50. Just makes sense to seek existing knowledge first. Unless you are volunteering to do some testing?
We shot a bunch of T's and found that only Briley's extended I MOD choke would pattern them. This was STEEL and not the higher priced stuff. The test consisted of at least 10 different chokes and two boxes of 3.5 steel T's.
bill