Perfect shell for pheasants?

[Warzord8]

I've got a 12 gauge Remington 870 Wingmaster...full choke....2 and 3/4 inch barrel.

Any suggestions for a good shell to use?

We'll be on public land...mostly state but perhaps some federal...do I need steel load? I don't think I can fire that through a full choke can I?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

I shoot at so many different locations I cannot keep track whether “Lead" is allowed or not so it is easier to just keep “Steel” in the truck and vest. I would rather be safe then sorry.

I have always shot

Federal Ultra-Shok High Velocity Steel

1-1/4 OZ, 4 Shot

I have been shooting steel shot through my “Full Choke” 28” barrel on my 870 for over 25 years. I don’t know what the experts say but I have never had or have a problem with it.

[yakfisher]

If you can change the choke I would open it up quite a bit. IC early in the season and MOD when the birds start to get spooky. I take 3 inch steel 4's for federal land and use 2 3/4 lead 6's or 5's. Good luck with the hunt.

[fishin58]

I like first shot 7 then 4 with lead. I also shoot with a modified choke seems to work pretty good, except when I had a 4 in first on a close roosta last weekend, gutted on the spot!

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

I mainly use Federal Premium in 5. Sometimes 4.Remington and Winchester hi power 5's work too. Just make sure you get higher power. I dont think thats an issue since you dont see 5 shot in low power rounds. Look for pic of pheasant on box!

[2thepointsetters]

Quote:

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I've got a 12 gauge Remington 870 Wingmaster...full choke....2 and 3/4 inch barrel.

Any suggestions for a good shell to use?

We'll be on public land...mostly state but perhaps some federal...do I need steel load? I don't think I can fire that through a full choke can I?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

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Ditch the full choke. Try a mod you will be happy.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

I have an old 870 full as well. Maybe you cant just go out and buy a barrel. I completely understand. That gun will do fine. You have max range which is not a bad starting point. Take your time, aim good and let the close flushers get out a little ways before shooting. Dont get too hung up on shot sizes either. I have learned its not a big deal.

4-6 or even 7.5 in high power will work fine on pheasant. Especially with your gun. Dont sweat the small stuff. You have a wingmaster and birds will fall!

[yakfisher]

You could probably buy a new or at least a gently used 870 for the same price as a new barrel, if its in your price point go for it if not just give 'em a few extra yards before you pull the trigger. If not you might end up with something that looks like those black cloud birds over on the duck board

[2thepointsetters]

Unless it is really old dont all 870's have changeable chokes? Everyone I have ever seen can be changed.

[Jarrod32]

Federal Premium Ultra-Shok Steel #4. Like others have said, I need to be ready to jump ducks when opportunity presents. I just don't even carry lead around anymore.

When pheasant hunting, I use an over/under, so early in the season I will have #6 shot in the first barrel and #4 in the second. Later in the season I will go entirely to #4.

[Froggy4371]

FYI I have 3 different 870's and only one has chokes you can change. My newest one a supermag has the changable chokes the other two are early 80's wingmasters in 12 and 20 guage and they both are fixed chokes. I have never had a problem with steel shot in any of my 870's. 4-5 shot for roosters work just fine.

Froggy

[R. Miller]

2 3/4 lead 5's for WMA's and 3 in 2's for WPA's. They seem to drop pretty good with steel 2's, although 4's should work okay as well.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

anyone ever use 3" lead 5s or 6s with impr. cylinder? i usually use 5 or 4s 2.75s federal, mod. choke

[Ferny]

Hey Guy's I have a couple old (30+ yr.) 2-3/4" only 870 Wingmasters with full chokes. Thanks to my brother 1 has a bulged barrel from shooting high power duck/goose loads! The other one is fine. They had a "recall" on the barrels about 15 years ago. I ended up with a check for about $20 for each old one I had. Cashing it meant you could have no recourse against Remington if something bad happened.

Anyway I ended up buying a newer 870 Express Mag with Rem-Chokes. A new barrel is about $200 around here and you could almost buy a new 870 Express for that...but I see they are $300+ now. It kind of makes cost prohibitive to get a new barrel for it!

Anyway you shouldn't have a problem with full choke as long as you don't use high power steel loads in a large size say bigger than #4's.

Those old Wingmasters are smooth as silk aren't they?

Ferny.