Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

Got a Kansas Pheasant hunt planned for the 1st weekend of November. 1st time for pheasants! I'm planning on taking my Browning Gold and Bakail O/U 12ga's. I've gotten some mixed reviews on what chokes and ammo to take with me. Anything from skeet and #5's to Full and #8's. I'm thinking Modified and some low brass #4 or #5's.

What do you hard core Pheasant Hunters use?

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

Modified choke12g. w/ no. 5 high brass winchesters. Choke will depend on how far you're shooting obviously, but you should really stick to 4, 5 and 6 shot.

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

I hunt pheasnat primarily in cut corn fields and fence rows. My choice is a 12 gauge with 26" barrels, high brass 6 shot with an improvedchokefirst shot and modified for a follow up.

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

My vote goes for a 12ga. withhigh brass #6's.... I believe this is the best all around load for pheasants, at least around here it is.

As for chokes, it really all depends on how long the shots are, but ialways like IC for the first day. Thenmaybe go to mod. after that, as the birds start going up a bit further away after they smarten up a bit.

This is why i've always liked a side by side shotgun with double triggers, instant choise of chokes for every shot!

Drilling Man

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

I run a lodge and I reccomend for 12 gauge shooters this. 1 1/4 of #4 or #5s for opener with IC or Mod choke. Later in the season I usually bump it up to 1 5/8 or 1 7/8 of 2s or 4s with a mod choke.

If you are a steel shot shooter, I use Kent Faststeel #2s at 1560fps, works very very well on birds.

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

early in the season I use a modified choke with low brass 1 1/8 oz #6 or #7.5's. mid season Ill go with a little beefier load likely hi brass 1 1/4 oz #6 then late season Ill stick with the hi brass load in #6's but go to a full choke.

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

1 5/8 oz??? 1 7/8 oz ??? 2's and 4's turkey loads on a pheasant?? IMO thats over doing just a bit. I strongly disagree with ya!! its a pheasant not a turkey......[:'(] then the #2 fast steel thats just nuts thats the same load i use for 50 to 60 yards pass over shots on canadian geese. you obviously dont want your clients to enjoy a tasty entree of a pheasant breast rather you would have them eat pheasant burger peppered with shot.[:'(]

You really dont need anything more then hi brass #6's Ive downed birds asfar as 50 yards with hi brass #6's doesnt happen alot but the hi brass #6's will do it if you put your shot string where it needs to be..

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

I have not heard "high brass" in years.
Brass is for decoration. You can buy an all plastic hull in a reasonably heavy load.

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

Tony, Federal lists aPheasant load in #6,#4,#2,#BB. It depends on the time of the
season.






CP BL


P158


12


3 / 76


1210


1 7/8 / 53.16


2 ,4 ,6 ,BB


4.03


7 8

RE: Pheasant Hunt: Choke? Ammo?
 

I always used mod. or IC choke shooting heavy dove loads in 7.5 or 8. If they're getting up too far out, switch over to the full choke and hammer 'em! I don't think I've ever used a high brass load for anything other than ducks.