if your pheasant trip has the possibilty of quail, i shoot 6s. enough punch for pheasants but light enough for quail. just let the littkle guys get out there a little ways before you drop em. as far as it being strictly pheasant, i stick to a heavy load of 5s. especially in late season when the birds rear ends are already full of lead and theyre flushing a mile away. good luck!