Pheasant shell recommendation

[JoeMal]

I have plans to hit the field for the start of pheasant season in early November and am looking for a pheasant load recommendation. I know everyone has their preferences and logic behind their choice...

I will be shooting a 1964 Winchester 101 with a full barrel on top and modified on bottom. I also have a Winchester 1300 pump with a few different chokes but would prefer to work the O/U for easier follow-up shots. I've done a little research and most folks seem to recommend a 1oz - 1 3/8oz load in #4 - #6. Can anyone make any recommendations for a somewhat newbie in the pheasant world? Are there any shells I should say away from due to the age of the shotgun I'm using?

I've hunted pheasant before but was too young to care about what load I used. Now, I want to make sure I have the best chance possible to bag a few. Thanks

 

[jbkebert]

Don't know if it helps or not. I have had very good luck with Fiocchi Golden Pheasants. They seem to hold a good patter out of my 870 wingmaster. Don't know if your O/U will like them or not but no complaints from me.

 

[oneounceload]

+1 for the Golden Pheasant - worth the money

For far flushers 1-1/4 of 6 or 5 will do the trick nicely

 

[d2wing]

I like #4 in either lead or steel where required.

 

[rjrivero]

I'm a fan of #4 for Phesant. Easier to clean them out. If they flush close let them get a little distance before you shoot them with Full/Modified, unless you like STEW.

 

[T.R.]

Most of my pheasant hunting took place among the grain fields of northern California. My gun is a 16 gauge side by side double choked opened modified and full. The open modified means that a smith elongated the forcing cone to provide BEST consistent pellet dispersion.

Any brand of ammo will do. I've had great luck with low brass #6 in right barrel and high brass #4 in left barrel.

The only advantage of high brass shells is greater number of pellets. It takes more powder to get those pellets on target. Low brass shells pattern quite well and hit hard. You don't need a 12 gauge; 16 or 20 gauge will most definitely get the job done. I know one hunter who has taken many birds with his 20 gauge pump shotgun with it's fixed improved cylinder choke..

TR

 

[Armored farmer]

If hunting over dogs, put #7.5 shot in bottom barrel for close birds; #5's for a little distance in the top tube.

 

[tactikel]

I always like 1 1/4 oz of #6 shot for pheasants, but I hunted with good dogs. The 101 has tight chokes for pheasants over dogs, unless the birds are flushing wild. Golden Pheasants are great loads, but IMHO you really dont need copper plated shot, which tends to pattern tighter than regular field loads. If you are anticipating longer shots #4 or #5 shot is good. 1 1/4 oz of #5s will take pheasants in almost any scenario. Good hunting.

 

[wgp]

I have killed plenty of pheasants with 7 1/2s and 6s but have come to believe I get better results with size 5 or even 4 shot. In a 20 ga I also generally use 3" shells. Unfortunately when you happen onto quail those 4s do a lot of damage. I usually keep a few 7 1/2s in the pocket for walking up the singles after a covey of quail flushes.

Most, I think, would say you are over-choked and would be better served by improved cylinder or modified chokes (but you may not be able to change chokes in your gun). My 101 has tubes and I usually shoot I/C over Modified. The birds I see in Kansas these days don't seem to hold very well even with dogs so I don't go any more open than I/C.

If you hit them right you'll do fine, so have fun.

 

[JoeMal]

Most, I think, would say you are over-choked and would be better served by improved cylinder or modified chokes (but you may not be able to change chokes in your gun). My 101 has tubes and I usually shoot I/C over Modified.

My 101 does not have tubes. The barrels are choked.

Like I said I have a pump that I can use, I believe I even have an improved choke, definitely a modified, but think follow up shots would be easier with a pump. Maybe I shouldn't be thinking about the follow up shot and worry about the first one....

Went to the local store today and got some Remington 1 1/4oz. #6s...we'll see how they do

 

[interlock]

your 101 will be fine for pheasant shooting. i would use any 1 oz or 1 1/16 oz 5 or 6 shot game cartridge. i would not use different cartridges in each barrel, it just makes it complex. i shoot pheasant using 1/4 and 1/2 chokes in my gun. i use gamebore supergame, kent velocity, or eley grandprix, hull 3 crowns. you guys have different brands in america, but really a standard game cartridge is all thats required.

enjoy your shooting, i love pheasant shooting

 

[stownsend]

I grew up pheasant hunting in South Dakota. I think that #5 shot is perfect for wild birds...if it is later in the season I might move up to #4's. I have always had good luck with Remington Express Long Range shells...just drops 'em out of the sky.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Some may think I'm crazy but, for years, in an 870 Remington 12 Ga. Modified I shot 1&1/8 ozs. of 7&1/2 with very good success on ringnecks, hunting with an English Pointer.
I used the same shotgun in the Goose pit but changed the load to 1&1/4 oz.of #4 shot.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Another vote for the Fiocchi Golden pheasant load. The 1 3/8oz 5 shot loads are fantastic.

For steel, I would recommend a Kent Fasteel #2's.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I think 1 oz. of #7½ is plenty, from 20, 16, or 12. I use modified and IC choked barrels in my dbl guns 20 and 16 gauge, or a modified choke in my pump. Full choke you say..., well I suppose if you wait a bit before touching that off at a bird to let it get a good distance from you, otherwise you may miss, or when using #5's..., you may blow the bird into a mass of bloody feathers.

LD

 

[rcmodel]

1 1/4 #5's will give the best combination of pattern density and long range energy.

#4's get spotty patterns before they run out of penetration.

#6 and smaller shot runs out of energy before pattern density.

I would suggest the Full choke is too much choke, unless they are running late in the season and very long range shooting is involved.

You will kill more birds deader over dogs with an Imp Cyl choke and not ruin all the meat.

rc

 

[Kingcreek]

I use nothing but Fiochi Golden Pheasant #5s for wild ringnecks. more lethal, more range, and less feather draw with the nickel plated shot.

 

[azar]

If hunting pheasants on federal land that requires steel shot be used what then would everyone recommend (hope the OP doesn't mind this additional question being added)?

 

[Hk Dan]

I always went with Imp Cyl #6 in early season, mod #4 late season, and I went to copper jacekted BBs for better penetration.

I think 4s pull more feathers into the meat, and lead certainly pulls more than copper shot.

 

[d2wing]

Public land in Iowa and most in Minnesota require steel, I us #4, but later in the season #3 or #2 for second shots.