Browning 28 gauge shell/choke selection

[XenopusTex]

Pheasant season has been going on up here, and I took my BPS and Citori out for break in today, as an alternative to a 12 gauge. My shoulder thanked me

Tried a variety of chokes on clays and cardboard sheets. Couldn't see that much of a difference between the various choke options (had full, IC, Mod.) into the cardboard at ~25 yards. Some of the longer-time bird hunters out here mentioned that with modern shotshell design, choke selection is less important. Is that correct?

Tried out a box of Fiocchi Golden Pheasant in #6 shot. Have read where it may be available in #5 for 28 gauge. Seemed to shoot pretty well, but was wondering if anybody's had any experience with the #5 shot variety?

 

[eastbank]

winchester sells 28ga with one oz #5 and #6 shot and in a rem 870 with a mod choke is a honest 35-40 yrd rabbit killer, on ringnecks i might try to limit my shots to 30-35 yrds. eastbank.

 

[oneounceload]

Fiocchi GP's are awesome and work well when you do your part. You will need to make sure of your pointing ability since your payload is smaller, but the hot core should make it as good as a 12 out to 45 yards or so.

 

[Hairy Clipper]

At 63 years old and a lifetime of chasing Chinese Chickens under my belt and in my gizzard as well as experimenting with different chokes, shot sizes and shot materials on live game, I have concluded that No. 5 shot is the best size for duck and pheasant sized flying game and the hard shot such as copper or nickel plated are vastly superior to other chilled lead types that are available.

The hard shot cut feathers and usually exit pheasants and ducks rather than drag feathers through and lodge in the body. While I prefer the smaller bore shotguns (20 gauge and under) and these are where my experiments were done, I see no reason the same could not be said for the larger gauges.

As for chokes, the Improved Cylinder is in my opinion the optimum for pheasants. I spent most of my youth using a Full or Modified only to have way to many ruined birds with nothing but hamburger left. The #5s and Improved Cylinder have plenty of pattern density for pheasant sized targets at 45 yards and helps keep the hit count down at closer ranges.

Obviously, you can do what you want, but, this is what I have settled on.