That is not a coon load my friend. Center pattern on the head, it should work ok inside 20 yards. I would pattern it, #2 steel does not like a tight choke.

Might as well tell it like it is. A lot of people are not giving good advice, I would not target coons with less than a lead BB load. Sure I will use what i have on hand to shoot them, coyotes too, no doubt. But it is sub-optimal to say the least. If you are limited to non toxic shot by law use the biggest steel shot allowed.

Not saying it won’t kill them but you might be disappointed. Pattern the gun and pick your shots.

It’s the best I have on hand besides 00 buck shot.

We shall see. Couldn’t find anything better in the stores around me.

May have some turkey loads but I think they are at the lease.

Will also have the 17wsm

00 buck is a damn fine coon load. Commonly used at night in SD to bust coons. 17 wsm… why even fool with the shotgun

It’s what we always used in Louisiana. 22’s were only for head shots if they were being shy. Pretty sure back then we just used whatever duck load we had and would tree them way up in the pines and hardwoods. Hoping Sunday they are on the ground coming to a call

From the top of the pines, i bet a good size coon can soak up some steel shot. 2’s might be ok but do you have any BB’s?

17wsm worked, not great. #8 bird shot worked instantly on 2, 00buck shot worked. All shots were under 20 yards

Most unnecessary thread ever

Most unnecessry comment ever. But it’s already been said, 20 yards good pattern density shot size doesn’t really matter.

I know what i know, #6 shot is not enough for even a fox squirrel in tall pine trees. I wouldn’t even shoot 6’s at pigeons. Hunted strictly with a 12 gauge for years, i know what i know.

8’s were wiping out the crows today without issue.

From 20 yards i don’t doubt it

I have killed greys from about 70-75 yards with 2 3/4” #4 steel, so that would compare to lead 6 shot. But i still would not recommend it.

Shooting that distance i used to rip two shells out fast as i could to make up for poor pattern density.

Realistically, stretched out to 50 yards or so, you’re lucky to get 2 or 3 hits each carrying less than 2 fpe. A single .177 airgun pellet from my gun would be more deadly and it’s not killing drt, it will take a couple minutes for a raccoon to die unless i brained him.

Whatever distance you’re drt-ing crows with lead #8, its still got pattern density to pepper the head/neck or in a high velocity load there might be pellets stuck/smashed together in clumps. Especially cheap stuff.

Close enough i bet you could kill a bear. But would it be typical?

But regardless, there is nothing wrong with trying to make do with what you got and i am not one to judge, keep shooting until they die. I know someone that hunts raccoons with dogs and uses cb caps for dispatch. Have been told stories about goose hunting with lead 8’s, gotta hit head/neck. I know for a fact you can neck shoot whitetails with a 22 mag. Sometimes it doesn’t work.

Kind of like shooting raccoons with bird shot.

Good luck