upland loads
 

What is your favorite load for pheasants, partridge, grouse, quail?
I am looking at getting an over under i am not sure if i want a 12 or 20 gauge.
has anyone used 20 gauge 3 inch 1 1/4 ounce 1300fps6's or 12 gauge 1 3/8 ounce 2 3/4 inch 1500fps 6's from federal let me know what you thought.

RE: upland loads
 

I just got a Stoeger O/U 20 gauge and I am liking it. I like shooting #5 or 6s for pheasant don't do much of the other

RE: upland loads
 

I've been shooting a 12ga for years now... If I'm shooting lead I'll shoot 6-7 shot early in the season and then 4 and 5 shot later in the year... If I'm shooting steel, I shoot 4's pretty much the whole year.

20ga works just fine on pheasants too - had a side be side that I used years ago...

RE: upland loads
 

In 20 gauge, I've always used 7.5-6 for quail and 4s for pheasant
In 12 I actually use 8s for quail and 6s for pheasant

RE: upland loads
 

For me personally depends if it is early season with a pointing dog or a flushing dog. Early season with a pointing dog on pheasants I use 6 shots, but if it is a flushing dog I use 6 high brass to a 5. Then later in the season I go to strickly 4 shot lead or steel. But if it is on quail I just use 6 in low brass on first shot then high brass on second shot all season. And that is pretty much the same on both guns. I personally shot a SxS 12 and a SxS 20, and on rare ocassion I like to try my luck with the SxS 410 but I usually don't do well with that gun.

RE: upland loads
 

I have a Browning "upland special" over and under 12 ga.
I love this gun and have hunted with it for over14 years.
I picked it for many reasons..
#1) 24" barrel length so it's real nice in tight NH woodlands.
#2) It's light, @ well under 7 lbs, so carrying it around all day doesn't kill you.
#3) I mostly go after Grouse, Woodcock & Rabbit and have tried many shell manufactures and have
found that Federal (target) #8 shot, holds the best pattern and doesn't blow the crap out of the birds.
#4) I go up to a heavy Federal #6 for Pheasants, which is only a couple of times a year, and kicks like a mule, considering the weight of the gun.

Attached is a picture of a day in the field with my buddies
(this is with no dogs, just me, as I'm the short one and can get into tight places)

RE: upland loads
 

I can't get my pics under 100kb, any advice?

RE: upland loads
 

Here are the pics, resolution is horrible

RE: upland loads
 

last one

RE: upland loads
 

For quail, I use a 20ga. CitoriFeatherweightO/U and shoot a Skeet choke with a 2 3/4" 7 1/2's or 8'sin the bottom barrel and a Mod. choke with 3" 7 1/2's in the top barrel. For pheasants I usually have to use steel shot because there are no wild birds in So. IL. and have to resort to released hunts on DNR ground...use 4 shot steel or 6 shot lead (for preserve hunts)...typically a Mod. choke for steel and Imp. choke for lead...depending on conditions.

EDIT: Edcyclopedia...I love the feel of the 12ga. upland specials...the straight grip combined with the schnabel (sp?) forearm...I have always wanted one!