Best shot size and choke for 12 ga. roosters

[toughguy]

What do you guys use for 12 ga. lead shot and choke this time of year for roosters?? I'm not a huge bird hunter (get out 1-2 times per year) and I would like to get a better idea of what works best.

[gspman]

If you hunt with no dog or a flushing dog I'd suggest starting with #5 shot and a Mod choke. Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 1 3/8 oz #5 @ 1485 fps are awesome. If you have a pointer and your shots are closer then I suggest an IC choke and #6 shot. Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 1 3/8 oz #6 @ 1485 are an excellent choice. Other ammo makers also make a similar lead load. For steel use IC with #2 or #3 in 3 inch magnum. Good luck, shoot straight and have fun.

gspman

[toughguy]

Thanks GPSMAN.

[lawdog]

I think GSP is pretty much in the ballpark and that's about all you can ask. There are of course different opinions and no right answer. I pretty much shoot modified all year, you just need to make yourself wait an extra second or two if they hold tight. I shoot 6's at first, then go to 5's and even 4's late in the season. I don't really think you can go wrong with anywhere from 4 to 6 shot. I've shot last weekend of the year pheasants with 20 gauge shooting 6 shot before...

[CodyDawg]

I would use #5 ALL the time. Wild roosters dont always hold for a point. No downside to #5 in my book. I am a Federal 2 3/4 inch 1 3/8oz magnum #5 lover. They cruise around that 1500 fps range as well. I have shot 21 1-shot roosters this year out of 23. The other 2 were a 2-shot and a 4-shot, but they were due to my bad shooting, not the shells performance.

[Kodiak]

federal vital shock (red box) 3.5" 2shot briley duck i think it modified?? choke...reach out and touch someone with that 3.5", that is what i use.

[bigdog]

Modified choke and Federal 1.25oz #5's for me.

[sdstate]

My personal choice is #6 shot (Federal, the copper plated stuff{red box}I think the copper has better penetration. Also no matter what shot size you use, it takes time to get use to it. I shoot 6 shot all year and can still reac out into that 50 yard range with effectiveness. I use to use Winchester, but the Federal suited me better so that is all i use now.

[riverrat56]

Modified #6 shot, early season, will use 7 1/2 shot. This is in a 16 ga, the 6 shot has never failed me yet from opener till the snow flys.

[Kodiak]

well dont take my advice on the previous post I missed 4 roosters on saturday that my lab had pointed out too me!!! I was using my duck setup briley choke 3.5" 2 shot steel. How can i hit a duck buzzing by but not a chicken getting up right in front of me!!!! ahhh fustrated... before you get on me about my lab pointing out the bird she is a pointing lab.