Upcoming Pheasant Hunt

[EHCRain10]

hey guys,
ive got an upcoming pheasant hunt next weekend and ive got some questions that need to be answered.

I will be taking a 20Ga 870 that can take up to 3in shells and will have a modified choke.

I have no clue as to what size shot to use for this hunt so what should i use?

I plan on shooting alot of skeet over the next week to brush up on skills (im a college student on spring break) and was wondering if i should do this with my chosen shot size or will spending time at the patterning board be enough with the new ammo?

 

[Len S]

Pattern the gun with your shot choice. I tend to use #5's but I use a 12 ga. Shoot the practice with target loads. Many ranges have a shot size limit anyway. 90%of shotgun shooting is in the mount so wear the same clothes that you will hunt with. You can also improve your mount by practicing with a EMPTY, check twice and then again,gun. Pick a spot on the wall and bring up your gun.3 sets of 10 twice a day will get you there. You can also practice swinging to a target (spot) on the wall. Good luck and remember watch the BEAK of the bird a lot of guys see that long tail and shoot behind the bird. No matter what others will say it is possible to miss a big cackeling basketball. Especially in front of your 8 yo son who innocently asked "isn't the bird supposed to fall when you shoot?"


Len

 

[TehK1w1]

With a Mod choke in 12GA I would go for #5 to #7.5 shot. We use #7.5 shot on our pen-raised bird hunts. It's a little light, but it works pretty well.

 

[Geno]

According to Steve Grooms' text, in a 20 Ga. use #5, with an IC chock. If you want more shot go the 3", but you don't need it.

 

[EHCRain10]

well considering that my skeet range is right out my backdoor, i can use whatever i want and i have plenty of free time so 50 clays per day for the rest of the week is what im planning on

 

[countertop]

If you can, shoot trap as well and set the targets fast.

I use 3 inch #5s in a 12ga. I suspect it should be fine in a 20ga as well, just less shot.

Where you shooting??

 

[EHCRain10]

somewhere in Goochland, not 100% my older brother set it up with some buddys and im tagging along

 

[308win]

I grew up using a 20ga w/IC barrel, 23/4 high base 6's were always plenty but you need to know how your gun patterns with the load you are using and be aware of your range. If the birds are running or have gotten a lot of pressure you will get long shot opportunities that an IC isn't the best for.

 

[welshgrouser]

One thing you might want to check on is if you have to shoot steel (non toxic) or not.. Most of the preserve type hunt clubs are all going that way now...

We had to really scramble the morning of a hunt a few years ago. Pretty tough to find a shop open early that has anything more than skeet loads...

I hunt w/a 20.. one of the other posts hit it on the head.. improved cylinder w/4's or 6's if you have to shoot non-tox. I carry 3" steel 4's and had them as the 3rd shell in the tube..
The birds will be close anyway. Another tip- If you want to eat what your shooting-- patience. That bird isnt going anywhere in an open field. Let him get away a little before you paste him (esp. if you are carrying a 3" #4)

good luck

 

[Zeke/PA]

When birds were abundant years ago, I used a 12Ga, Remington 870, Federal 7&1/2's high brass with excellent success.
A good many birds were shot over "dead points" of an exceptional English Pointer.
I liked the dense pattern of the 7&1/2 in my gun.
Lead shot of course, steel shot may make a difference.
Zeke

 

[nosualc]

If you're hunting on a game farm/preserve, it's likely that your shots will be closer than if the birds were wild.

If you can shoot lead, #6 or #5. Your modified choke is more or less optimal.

If you have to shoot steel, the rule of thumb is go up two shot sizes to #4 or #3. Note that steel will usually shoot a little tighter than lead from the same shotgun/choke. If you can use an an IC choke, that'd be a little better, but not necessary.

Patterning and practice is a great idea.

An unsolicited tip: Pheasants seem like a big target, but the last half of a pheasant is all feathers. This results in a lot of butt shot birds. When you're swing on a bird, try to focus on its head.

Good luck, be safe.

-nosualc

 

[punchdrunk]

the game farms around here require 7 1/2 or 8's, find out where your going and call and ask.

 

[dakotasin]

i like low brass 6-shot thru a modified choke for pheasant, and a light 20 gauge is the ultimate pheasant-whacker. enjoy!

 

[buck460XVR]

I have dumped many ringnecks with my 20ga Ithaca featherlight, modified choke and #6s. Sometimes late in the season when their feathers were thicker and they tended to get up a little farther away I shot #5s.

 

[ArmedBear]

Pheasants raised in cages are pretty easy to kill.

We were using one to train our dog the other day. It ran through a field twice, then just sort of gave up trying to live, and died soon after.

Kinda felt bad about it. It's ironic, since we wouldn't have felt bad about shooting it and eating it, but just seeing it run itself to death was disheartening.

Anyway, I don't think you'll need really big shot or anything. Ask what they allow. Depending on the geography, there are sometimes limits. #8 becomes mostly harmless to humans relatively soon; #6 carries serious energy a lot farther out than people realize. A friend of mine got peppered by his brother at 80 yards with #6 shot and it penetrated his face and forehead and almost took out the one good eye he has.