Which Pheasant Load do you use?

[esox49]

Just was wondering what pheasant load everyone uses and what number shell? Also, was wondering if anyone uses the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads that Cabelas carries! Thanks for the feedback!

[Mayfly]

#4 - #6 3 inch Mags

[Guest]

20 gauge. 3" Magnum Federal Premium #4
Sometimes use #6 for the first shot early in the season.
The Remington Nitro Mags are nice too, same specs as above.

[bigdog]

If I can use lead, #5 or #4, 11/4 oz.

If non-toxic, first shot is a #2 steel followed by #6 or #4 Hevi-Shot.

[Ben Nicholson]

3" 20ga #5 shot Golden Pheasants have killed alot of Iowa pheasants this year out of my gun. Of course a good dog helps out alot.

Good Luck,
Ben

[scotty18]

I have been using 3" #4and 5 bismith shot for my 20 gauge. The bismith shot is gentler on your barrel than steel shot and if you hunt where non toxic shot is required you're covered.

[gspman]

It all depends on which gun and where I am hunting. But this is what I generally use.

20 ga. o/u - 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz #6. Those short magnums work great.

12ga SxS - 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz #6. I'm pretty good with the sxs but historically better with the 20 ga o/u.

12ga autoloader - 2 3/4 1 1/4 oz #6. I used 3" #2 steel later this year in the public stuff and did well and sometimes I use #6 tungsten/poly as well. Not a big steel fan but it does work. I've been in a 2 year shooting slump with the auto loader. Can you believe I'm still using the %^@*% thing?

I've always been of the thought to use the smallest size shot that will give you a good kill at the ranges you normally shoot at.

I think I read a DNR study in the Dakota's that ended up recommending #5 lead and #2 steel. So with that info, I'm thinking of bumping up to 1 1/4 oz #5's or even the 1 3/8 #5 Fiocchi Golden Pheasant next year. If I need more than that to kill a bird then I need to practice more 8^).

gspman

[BLACKJACK]

Usually buy Federals, maybe Remingtons if they're on sale, I stay away from the other odd breeds. Lead, 2 3/4 inch 4's or 6's, used to love the wingbreaking power of those lead 4's. Steel, 2 3/4 inch 4's or 2's. I had good luck later in the year going with all 2 shot steel, with the one in the chamber a 4 steel, I think I will be doing more of that in the future because it worked so well. Plus I've decided to stop shooting lead, the steels work, the price is right, no sense in spreading any more lead around than necessary. Just because its legal on private land doesn't mean that you might not be shooting over a wetland. And if I go all-steel, I won't have to worry what I have in my vest when I'm going from private to public hunting lands.

[Sko]

Winchester Super Pheasant 5's or 6's.

Or just plain Winchester Heavy Game Loads - 6 shot. These were $5.99 a box at Gander Mountain and performed just fine. They were also like 1 3/8 ounce loads.

Both types are 2 3/4 size as well. My old Browning B-80 only holds that size.

[Perch Jerker]

All my phesants this year (both SD & MN) have been taken with my SxS 8ga Evans shotgun with 2.25oz of handloaded #5 Magnum lead shot going about 1200fps. I also loaded up some #2 shot, but the #5's did just fine. I'm planning on using 1 7/8oz #5 handloads 10ga shells for some gamefarm birds later this winter with the Browning Gold Lite. The main thing is just being 'on-target' with the shot.
However I did read that ND did a study in conjunction with Phesants Forever where they tested the effects of steel shot on phesants. #2 steel did far better than #4 or #6 steel loads, FYI. The larger shot 'balled up' less than the smaller shot as well as penetrating further (especially after hitting the birds crop that was filled with sand/grit) to hit the vitals of the birds on going away shot

PJ

[Bryce]

Shot the Fiocchis this year for the first time and will buy them again.