20ga 3in Pheasant loads
08-11-2010, 12:50 AM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kenly, North Carolina
Posts: 370
There is always a benefit to more shot in the air, and your pattern may stay the same or tighten up some with same shot size used. Why are you really asking? cost?
When I do pull my 20 gauge out I use 3" shells more than 2 3/4 when hunting other than preserve birds, I use a double blackpoder mostly now.
Remember get up to that 1 1/4 oz and you have the eq. of a 2 3/4" 12 gauge, yea some of you will disagree, look at the velocities of both in standard loading, they are pretty much equal, one just has more shot= more killing power.
When I do pull my 20 gauge out I use 3" shells more than 2 3/4 when hunting other than preserve birds, I use a double blackpoder mostly now.
Remember get up to that 1 1/4 oz and you have the eq. of a 2 3/4" 12 gauge, yea some of you will disagree, look at the velocities of both in standard loading, they are pretty much equal, one just has more shot= more killing power.
08-11-2010, 06:49 AM
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 860
There is always a benefit to more shot in the air, and your pattern may stay the same or tighten up some with same shot size used. Why are you really asking? cost?
When I do pull my 20 gauge out I use 3" shells more than 2 3/4 when hunting other than preserve birds, I use a double blackpoder mostly now.
Remember get up to that 1 1/4 oz and you have the eq. of a 2 3/4" 12 gauge, yea some of you will disagree, look at the velocities of both in standard loading, they are pretty much equal, one just has more shot= more killing power.
When I do pull my 20 gauge out I use 3" shells more than 2 3/4 when hunting other than preserve birds, I use a double blackpoder mostly now.
Remember get up to that 1 1/4 oz and you have the eq. of a 2 3/4" 12 gauge, yea some of you will disagree, look at the velocities of both in standard loading, they are pretty much equal, one just has more shot= more killing power.
08-15-2010, 06:51 PM
#4
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 47
i was wondering not because of cost, but i just want the most range out of my 20. i was thinking remington express long range? theyre only 2 3/4, but the velocity is 1220fps, and shooting 5s, i think that would be my best bet. fiocchi 3s were the other choice, but im not sure their velocity.
and let me back track a little. i hunt state stocked birds in nj. they arent the greatest, smartest birds out there. i usually hunt with anywhere from 2 to 6 guys without a dog. these other guys arent the greatest shots, and when a bird gets up and they miss, i dont want to be too far away to drop it. i hunted with a 12ga last year and dropped 9 out of every 10 they missed. i got a great deal on a new browning citori white lightning 20ga, 26" that im going to use for birds and rabbits. and thats why i was wondering about the shell size
and let me back track a little. i hunt state stocked birds in nj. they arent the greatest, smartest birds out there. i usually hunt with anywhere from 2 to 6 guys without a dog. these other guys arent the greatest shots, and when a bird gets up and they miss, i dont want to be too far away to drop it. i hunted with a 12ga last year and dropped 9 out of every 10 they missed. i got a great deal on a new browning citori white lightning 20ga, 26" that im going to use for birds and rabbits. and thats why i was wondering about the shell size
08-16-2010, 06:51 PM
#5
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: PA.
Posts: 5,195
20 ga is not gun for pheasants even with 3 inch .it is rabbit gun but we all use 22 cal for rabbits.
not bad grouse gun as its light to carry .i would keep it for grouse/rabbits.
12 ga is by far best all around gun and shells are cheaper and put more bb in air.
go shoot clay birds with your 20 ga.then pick up a 12 ga. let me know how you do!
new jersey guys most cant hit anything.
sproul has spoken
not bad grouse gun as its light to carry .i would keep it for grouse/rabbits.
12 ga is by far best all around gun and shells are cheaper and put more bb in air.
go shoot clay birds with your 20 ga.then pick up a 12 ga. let me know how you do!
new jersey guys most cant hit anything.
sproul has spoken
08-17-2010, 12:55 PM
#8
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Central, WI
Posts: 209
I prefer the 20 guage to the 12. ive seen alot of birds that were shot by 12s that were so damaged they werent even edible. You wont get quite the distance with the 20 guage as you would a 12 but the 20 knocks them down just as good at reasonable distances.
08-17-2010, 06:47 PM
#9
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: PA.
Posts: 5,195
after birds are hunted your shots will increase.normal could be 25 to 35 yds.20 ga will not cut it.in the hands of great shot,person who shoots clay birds and HAS right 20 ga shotgun, yes it can be done.
but MOST dont shoot that much. i do, i go thru 25 claybirds a week.but you will see NO ONE with 20 ga doing it.
i do like 20 ga on grouse but i like 28 inch barrel not 26 inch.only because the longer barrel swings better and it will reach grouse at 30 yds.
take care sproul;