So I picked up a 12ga Weatherby Orion shotgun a few months ago and love it, I used the excuse I wanted it for pheasant hunting (to justify it to myself ) so I had better make that happen. And as I only have 2 weeks until the season I better get it into gear.
So to start, I've technicaly never "patterned" a shotgun on paper, I've used clay pidgeon dust and downed birds as the indicator in the past with the 870 (also had the practice of grabbing whatever game load was in the cabinet, so a little education on shell selection is needed to). So I have some basic questions.
What size and type of shot for pheasant are preferred (also may be used on any other small upland birds) and at what yardage would you pattern at for pheasant's? What kind of spread should I be looking for at that range.
I do have a fair selection of chokes already and will be getting more as I need them. Currently I have 1 Full, 2 Imp Cyl, 1 Mod, and 1 Skeet. What chokes would you throw in the top tube (first fire) and in the bottom (second fire) to get the suggested pattern above?
And after all of that, any specific brand of shells you might recommend to check out would be greatly appreciated.
So to start, I've technicaly never "patterned" a shotgun on paper, I've used clay pidgeon dust and downed birds as the indicator in the past with the 870 (also had the practice of grabbing whatever game load was in the cabinet, so a little education on shell selection is needed to). So I have some basic questions.
What size and type of shot for pheasant are preferred (also may be used on any other small upland birds) and at what yardage would you pattern at for pheasant's? What kind of spread should I be looking for at that range.
I do have a fair selection of chokes already and will be getting more as I need them. Currently I have 1 Full, 2 Imp Cyl, 1 Mod, and 1 Skeet. What chokes would you throw in the top tube (first fire) and in the bottom (second fire) to get the suggested pattern above?
And after all of that, any specific brand of shells you might recommend to check out would be greatly appreciated.