Shot a big 'un last night. Old Winchester 1897 stuffed with WW Super X 1 1/4 ounce of #2. Only took one shot out of the top of big hickory tree in the back yard. When he hit the roof of the chicken coop he bounced 3' in the air. #2's seemed to do the job. In the past I have used from BB to #6's, all seem to have done the job with few follow up shots needed. Personally I prefer the 1 1/8 ounce BB that I usually use for "nocturnal guests" around my livestock, and they have not disappointed. I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than #4 unless you're close (under 25 yards) and have a quick second shot. And a sidebar to all the guys saying .22 is the only way: I've head shot a lot of coon, possum, fox, etc with .22 short and long rifle. Generally always required a second finishing shot, if shot at any distance. Maybe I'm just not a good enough rifleman, but unless they're caught in a trap and I can put the rifle barrel to their head, I prefer the scattergun. Now for squirrels, .22 short is the way to go. Lots of fun and very little noise.

Mac

MacAR- is that 1-1/8 oz of BB a factory offering?

Yes, actually it is. However, I haven't the foggiest idea where you can get anymore of it! It's called Melior, loaded in Spain I think. I happened on 2 cases of it at a gun show a few years ago and bought both for less than what a case of trap loads would've cost. So far they've proved more than adequate for what I do and I have no worries firing them in my old (1940 and back) guns. My go-to late night varmint gun was a Belgian hammer gun, until recently, when I acquired an 1897 Winchester in excellent (albeit refinished) shape; and that only because it holds 4 more shots than the hammer gun!
Anyhow, hope that was what you were looking for. If you happen to find any of the Melior ammo online please let me know, I would love to find some more. My stock is getting sort of low now and I'd like to replenish it.

Mac

UPDATE: LuckyGunner has 1 1/8 oz of BB from Eley, which looks identical to the Melior. Makes me think it may be rebranded. Link here: https://www.luckygunner.com/12-gauge-2- ... -25-rounds

Like the idea of storming the chicken coop with a vintage SxS hammer gun.
Late night raiders beware!

I pulled some old 10 gauge hulls apart and reclaimed the #2 lead. I just don't have much use for 2 ozs of lead 2's at this point. Loaded up some 7/8 oz, 20 gauge hulls for late night visitors. Puts up a surprisingly good pattern for 72 pellet load. Delivery system is a youth model H&R single shot that I'm keeping in the shop.

Reminds me of when I was raising up my boys. We sold the coon hides for $18.00 if no holes were in it. So, we used .22 LR HP and did our best to make head shots.. I wouldn't shot any game animal, or non-game, with a solid point .22. Stingers are good but not on squirrel. Tears them up too much unless you can make head shots. Pretty hard to do on a running squirrel.

I use only hollow points for all my .22 shooting.

I have killed a few pesky coons with 1 1/4 oz.#6 shot at 30 yards. Did a good job, too.

"Like the idea of storming the chicken coop with a vintage SxS hammer gun.
Late night raiders beware!"

You'd be surprised at just how effective that old 1925 hammergun is on late-night raiders. Put it this way: I've never had one get away from it, regardless of what it was loaded with. I've had the old girl for some time now. Bought it really cheap and re-finished the wood and cleaned up the metal. The action is in the white but the barrels still have some blue left on them, not much but some. The bores are pretty pitted though, and I've already tightened it up once, so I don't shoot it like I'd like to. I did go 100 straight with it last weekend on "pasture trap" while practicing with my kid brother's HS trap team. Old gal put a couple "B" guns to shame.

Mac

Full choke #4....done

If you take a strong flash light and lamp the field you can see there eyes in then trees, then walk up and shoot them. Or put out Dog-safe traps, or Have A Heart traps (then shoot them). Coons love canned tuna in oil, if you need bait. I'd say if you need to keep the noise down a 22mag or 17HMR is the ticket, or a shotgun loaded with some hot #4's. Coons are tough and they can hurt a dog so bring enough gun to send them on there way. Don't forget to pull a hunting licence or get nuisance permits

I use the Remington 1oz Game load of #6s @ 1290fps. In my HD 930 with the 18 1/2" barrel I had Steve Rose thread for Invector chokes and with a modified choke it flat wears them out at the feeder from the tripod. I don't think I have lost a single one since I switched to using the Mossberg.

full choke # 4 high brass, but why not use a rifle?

Usually there are more than one at the feeder, otherwise I would use my 9422 22 Mag

Remington Express Long Range #4 in a full choke.

I sometimes bag coons while squirrel hunting. I use a 20 gauge with #6 shot for squirrel and rabbits. They are usually balled up in the tree and Are easy shots. It ruins the hide but makes for a very dead coon.

When I am looking to bag a few coons who are robbing my corn, I use a 10-22 loaded with CCI Mini-Mags HPs. I have tried Stingers but they aren't a one shot kill much of the time. The man who buys the hides don't want any holes in the hide so I head shoot them.

Those CCI Mini-Mags are great medicine.

I gotta agree with the guys that have mentioned traps. One man is not liable to put a dent in the racoon population with a gun, assuming this is not a single urban animal but several in a rural setting. Garbage can raiders around the house, set up on him in a blind with a good air rifle or some cci quiet. Nuisance animals on the farm, use traps or call up every trusted friend you have that wants to get a piece of the action.

I trap coons yr around nuisance control trapper. Coons are easy to kill. I would use a shotgun on calling. That is so fun. Sometimes more than one comes in. There in a run so easier to hit. But in winter when I keep the fur. I use a 22.