shells&chocks
 

can i get some suggestions on the best choice for shot shell ie.4,6,8,etc. Also the best choice chock ie. full,mod,etc. for pheasant.
fedback is appreciated.
toons

RE: shells&chocks
 

That is a good question with a lot of variables. For all-around pheasant work, #6 shot through a modified choke would be my first choice. If you are hunting over a good pointing dog, you might be able to get by early in the season with #7 shot and improved cylinder. With a springer spaniel, #5 and improved modified would be my choice.

If you shoot a gun with two barrels (either a double or an over/under), I would go with I/C and modified early in the year (with #7 and #6) over pointing dogs and sk2 and I/M later in the year (with #6 and #5) or anytime working with a flusher.

RE: shells&chocks
 

I ussually use either 4 or 6 shot through a mod. choke, all through the year. but we hardely ever hunt with dogs.

RE: shells&chocks
 

#5, or #6' s with mod or imp/mod will do you just fine............

RE: shells&chocks
 

I have use 5' s with a mod

RE: shells&chocks
 

I agree completely with Seattle on his advice.

RE: shells&chocks
 

I use 5' s or 6' s and a mod choke for most all small game.

RE: shells&chocks
 

I use #5' s through a I/M choke,with a flushing dog and without.

RE: shells&chocks
 

It is pretty dependant on what type of birds (release or wild) and how you are hunting (over a flushing dog/pointer/no dog). I personally use #4' s & 5' s and full/mod chokes o/u year round...The wild birds out here are pretty wily and big. I don' t change what has worked for years for me. Good luck whatever you decide to use. JDinAB

RE: shells&chocks
 

What i do is when i go turkey hunting is i buy a couple of federal premium turkey 4s and use them with a mod choke. i like this load because these iowa birds get up fast and fly just the same, so i need a load that will have some serious knock down with hard power. I have also found out that these turk loads dont butcher the birds, and i find less bbs in them, and that is what we all want isnt.



well i hope this works and you do good this year.


Keep your gun held high and may your shot go straight.

RE: shells&chocks
 

JD has the right idea. WHen I work birds in preserves, 2 3/4" w/6 works just fine. I' ve even started the habit of using my 28g. on these liberated birds. High plains wild roosters are a different bird altogether, though. Not only are they bigger and tougher physically, but conditions usually require a heavier load. The winds of my homestate are notorious for eating shot patterns. We normally go with max dram 2 3/4" shells with 5' s or 6' s, Mod/Full (O/U).

The guys using flushing dogs go so far as to use 3" #4' s for late season birds.

RE: shells&chocks
 

1 1/4 oz high velocity loads of #5 in 12 ga or #6 in a 20 ga for early season with a light mod choking. Late season 1 3/8oz of #4 at the highest safe load speed I can find formulas to load and nickel plated shot with buffering to boot with chokes starting with light mod to Imp. mod.

And this is WITH a GSP that knows his job. But birds here have enough pressure that in the late season shots are long and few hold for a dogs point.