Pheasant load of choice?

[MTGunner]

Whereas I have to employ non toxic shot I like steel #6 shot with IC choke. MTG

 

[keithcandler]

When I hunted Kansas, weather was darn cold with wind. #4 copper plated shot at 1250fps was good to 80 yards. I roll my own. Load is 1 5/8 oz, Rem 3" hull, 35g of Blue dot, BPS BP 12 wad and gas seal. We had no dog and bird were wild, hence long shots and need for big shells.

A coyote got up out of a hole at 35 yards, and he was grave yard dead as well.

 

[UplandFreak]

Dont know what kind of shotgun your shooting but in my doubles I load # 7 shot right barrel backed up with # 4 shot left barrel. ic and mod choke. If hunting stocked birds load up on 7 in both. If hunting wild birds late season carry some # 2 shot also, all depends what the birds are doing. If your using pushers and blockers ( usually used in S.D. on game preserves with stocked birds go strait # 4 shot. You also dont need 3" mag shells 2 3/4 work just fine, I shoot 2 1/2 shells kills them real dead. But in all honesty I've killed more birds with 7 shot than any thing else, inside 20 yds you have alot more pellets from 7 than 4 hitting the bird pretty much smokes them, but you have got to be prepared for any thing, carry #7 +#4 and I would have a box of #2 just in case. If your using a 28 ga go strait #6 dont shoot past 20 yards

I shoot a 12ga Versamax with the woodtech stock. I usually bring a couple boxes of #2, but haven't used them.

 

[KyCarl]

I started with a family heirloom Winchester Model 1897 that weighed a lot
and had a steel butt plate. I still have the reloading kit with all brass shells
They dimple the mouth to hold the top wad in? My D>A> brother tore the shotgun to pieces....

 

[jpndave]

My favorite load is this or as close as I can get to it. 1 oz to 1-1/8 ox of #5 at a high speed works great. I have loaded my own. Fox 16ga AE Krupp 30" 0.012" right choke and 0.024" left.

 

[TBuckus]

#4 1330 FPS loads regardless of brand

 

[Rem7mm08]

12 ga- 1.25 oz , 20 ga- 1oz copper plated 5 or 6 shot.
Plated shot seems to penetrate deeper and pull less feathers.

 

[keithcandler]

Temperatures at zero, drops velocity a lot on shotgun loads...more than you would ever imagine.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Temperatures at zero, drops velocity a lot on shotgun loads...more than you would ever imagine.

How much are we talking?

 

[UplandFreak]

My favorite load is this or as close as I can get to it. 1 oz to 1-1/8 ox of #5 at a high speed works great. I have loaded my own. Fox 16ga AE Krupp 30" 0.012" right choke and 0.024" left.

Man, for some reason I have always wanted a 16ga. I have been eyeballing the browning Citori's...

 

[UplandFreak]

Also, I don't think I have ever used 5 shot - only 6 shot and then skip to 4 shot.

 

[jpndave]

Man, for some reason I have always wanted a 16ga. I have been eyeballing the browning Citori's...

That one is a sweetheart, 6lbs. even, my favorite possession by far, made in 1912. Someday I will get the overhaul upgrade makeover done. I have a perfect piece of English Walnut just waiting... I think the 16 is perfect for pheasants. It is big enough to hit hard and nice to carry and fast to pull up. If you get a 16, try and pick something up on a smaller frame. The small fox is actually sized best as a 16ga. The 12 is a larger size. I think the Browning is a downsized 12ga. Still cool but not the dainty size a 16 deserves IMO. I am eyeing a pair of O/U in 12 and 28. I won't get the Browning 28 as it is built on a 20 gauge frame, no point then as I'd just get a 20. Beretta is on a smaller frame for the 28.

5 shot I find as the perfect compromise, best of both worlds. Hits like a 4 but more density like a 6. If I am shooting 4 or 6 shot I'll often carry 6 shot in the right and 4 in the left barrel.

 

[keithcandler]

Copper plated 5's are wicked.

 

[MTGunner]

Ya know, whatever seems to work for you is great. Having said this, I hunted for five hours today. Put up six pheasants. Had a fleeting shot at a rooster. But, ya' have to be in front of 'em whatever shot size you employ. Oh well, good enough. My little lab and I had a great day afield. Plus, did not have to get pheasant guts on my hands.
Good hunting all. MTG