I hunt around the house in ND and I would only recomend #5 or #4 shot. I really like using Estate shotshells but no matter what you are using get the shell with the most lead and 3 3/4 dram of powder. The powder seems to make more difference then the lead though. Killed about 75 roosters this year with 1 1/4 ounces of lead and 3 3/4 dram eq of powder.

after getting around wild pheasant, i changed my mind and am now buying the 12 guage fiocchi #5 shot

I usually use a size #4 in Federall loads. They seem to have worked the best so far for me.

That's what i use also. ive gotten a bunch of roosters myslef, i love rooster hunting too.

My favorite pheasant load is 1-3/8 oz of #5's. The load in my old Winchester loading pamphlet lists the Blue Magic hull with the AA red wad and W571 powder. The published velocity is 1330fps, but this load registers 1425fps out of my 24" Benelli! This load is absolutely LETHAL on pheasants!

As my stock of Blue Magic hulls and W571 powder dwindled, I had to find an alternative pheasant load. I discovered that Longshot powder is terrific for fast 1-1/4 oz loads in readily available AA hulls. My chronographs clocks this load at 1450fps, which is also much higher than than the published velocity for this load.

In my opinion there is a big difference between wild birds and perserve or planted birds. I have been fortunate to shoot many wild birds and yes 7 1/2 will work for close shots 6's are ok too. After the first week I like 4,5,s in heavy loads, even with pointing dogs shots can be long even in heavy cover plus pheasonts can be tough to find after being downed. Try hunting pheasants late in the year in hard hunted areas with 7 1/2's and you may go home empty handed.

I ALWAYS RELOAD MY OWN SHELLS. I USUALLY SHOOT 7.5 ON PRIVATE LAND BECAUSE WHERE WE HUNT HAS SO MANY QUAIL IF YOU GO BIGGER YOU JUST DESTROY THEM. WHEN I'M HUNTING PUBLIC GROUND I USUALLY USE #6. I DON'T NEED MUCH MORE SINCE I HAVE DOGS AND GET SO CLOSE TO THE BIRDS.

I usually shoot sixers out of a 3' shell. However, my Dad uses #4 shot with 2 3/4 in shells and knocks down more than I ever will. Maybe someday when I'm his age I will be a good enough shot.