Hello all: I am looking to put together some buckshot loads for coyote calling. I have been "into" shotshell reloading for quite some time, and have good tooling, but have never put together a buckshot load. This leads me to a number of questions, and I would like to get started on the right foot.  Anyway, here are my questions for a 12 gauge 3" application:...(1) Components: To the best of my knowledge, high antimony lead is the best quality of buckshot available. Are there any manufacturers making plated buckshot? (2) Shot Size: I would like to use #F (.220 dia.) shot for these loads; any comments? (3) Cushion wads: At present, I use a 20Ga. felt wad inside my shotcups for loads that are cushioned.  Should I also "cushion" high speed (ie: 1 3/8 oz. loads) buckshot loads, and if so, would the felt wads be a suitable material? (4)Buffering: I would assume it is best to buffer buckshot..........Any comments? (5) Crimping: Would buckshot loads be more suited to roll crimping? ...............Shooting/Choking: Like many others, I use the screw chokes (Briley) I would assume that buckshot would generally  perform better with less constriction; such as "improved modified". Is this a general starting point for pattern testing? ...........Thank you for enduring this lengthly list............. Also, and I am reluctant to ask for fear of the worst, I was wondering if Mr. James Gates is OK, since I no longer see his name among moderators........Any info here? ..............Thank you one and all..........."Ridge"

Hi, Ridge:
   Mr. Gates is well, last I heard. He seems to be tied up with a "retirement" project. Yes, I miss his input too.

   These folks specialize in shotgun reolading stuff and BP has a number of books & pamphlets on everything about shotgun reloading.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/
http://www.precisionreloading.com/

Bye
Jack

Jack: Thanks for the info.......... Yes, I use the BP stuff a lot. Also, glad to hear Mr. Gates is OK...........I always felt his knowledge on shotshell reloading started off about 3 "clicks" above where mine drops off..........LOL........"Ridge"

RR,

Some time back, Marshall had a tech note or post regarding shooting coyotes with shotguns.

Basically, if memory serves, he was using hard (plated?) #2 lead shot and gave it a glowing review.  Apparently it's pretty deadly on coyotes.  Seems that he accidentally discovered this while goose hunting (before all the steel shot nonsense came about).

So.... might be worth looking into, may find components & load data more easily for that size shot.

Mike: Thanks for the reply. I do have on hand some nickel plated #BB, and I plan to work up some loads for that. Also, I called BPI and ordered their buckshot manual along with a jar of #F buckshot and some clear overshot cards for roll crimping.................Let the fun begin.......LOL...........RR

Ridgerunner,

That cache of nickel plated BB's sounds like powerful coyote venom to me!  I've killed literally a pickup truck load of coyotes with handloaded magnum #2's, and had complete penetration at fifty yards on broadside coyotes.  What I love about the #2's and BB's is that you don't have to sew up the hides after skinning.  Simply use a safety pin to pull the hair back through the holes and you're done.

I've also used a fair amount of #4 buck on yellow-dogs, but haven't found it to be any more lethal than the #2's or BB's, and with no further effective range due to sparse pattern density.  Actually, the shot loads seemed to put them down faster than the #4 buck in every instance I remember.

Although I love big-bore rifles and heavy hitting handguns, there's nothing quite like a shotgun for night-time predator calling!  It's especially comforting when calling in an area with above average concentrations of cougar.  In fact I'm working on putting together a shotgun specially outfitted for just that purpose for use on late-spring and early summer coyotes when they are most vulnerable as they teach the young pups to hunt.

Too, thanks to Mr. Gates, I'm abandoning my habit of folded crimps and turning to roll crimps for my serious-about-killing-something shotshell handloads.  Time consuming to put together, but when coyote or turkey hunting, you don't shoot a box of shells per outing either.

Great fun!  Let us know how your project comes along.  

God Bless,

Marshall

Marshall: Thanks for the great info. Yes, I agree on the added security of a shotgun for night calling..........We don't have cougar here; (albiet some few have claimed to have seen a varity of felis concolor cougar) we do have black bear, and I sometimes use the fawn bleat at this time of year. I have never had to shoot a bear like this. So far, they have "scooted" every time, but the added security of a shotgun with a highly lethal loading is comforting.......I have been "woofed" a few times, a 'hair raising' sound to say the least.....LOL. I also intend to use roll crimping, and will put together some plated #BB, and some #F buck. I will range test both loads, and post the results.........RR

I've never used #F buck before.  I'd really be interested in your results.  I guess we can get caught in a rut, or just keep using what works for us, but the #F buck might be an interesting deviation from the norm, and quite effective too.

Let us know how they pattern for you!

God Bless,

Marshall

Got a question here - I thought I had put together every buckshot load known to man at one time or another - BB through 000 - I've even loaded 3 pellets behind a slug just because I could, but I've never even HEARD of #F buckshot. What is it?
DC

DMC: #F buck is simply a size classification; diameter: .220 .................It is available, along with every other sizing in buck that is manufactured, at Ballistics Products Inc. Go back to the second post in this thread, and you will find their e-mail address. They are the most complete shotgun reloading supply and info that I know of................RR