Best load for pheasants?
 

I'm new to pheasant hunting, and I was wonder what experienced hunters would recommend as far as shot size, shot weight, and velocity? I reload so I can build just about any load.

Thanks

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

four shot works the best for me. I've used smaller loads but the they don't have the knock down power or range that the 4's do.

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

I like 1 1/32 oz of hard #5 shot from a 16ga moving at a bit over 1,320 fps.

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

I only use Fiocchi "Golden Pheasant" for pheasants. 12 ga. #5 1 3/8 oz. It's nickel plated shot. It's offered in #6, #5, & #4 shot. I like #5 because it's the middle of the road. It's just plain deadly on pheasants for me.Try different combinations too see wich works best for you and your specific gun.

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

I use 4's & 5's...magnums for late season roosters. JDinAB

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

i ussually go with either 4 or 6 shot.

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

I shoot an automatic 12 ga and actually have had good luck with a variety of loads. I usually have a plug in the gun that limits capacity to three shells. Low brass 6 shot goes in the chamber, high brass 5 shot next, and 3" steel 2 shot after that. This system works well for me because you don't destroy close flushing birds but have sufficient firepower for longer shots. Start with improved cylinder or modified and you will hit a lot more birds. There usually isn't much need for full choke expecially when using steel shot because it patterns tighter than lead anyway.

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

we load for ourown and for guests 2 steel 36-42 g. steel powder depending on shot wt. get speed up to 1425 + this late in the season. where we can use lead we use 4 with 1300 fps. 1 oz steel 2 and 1oz lead 4 have close to the same bb. count.

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

I reload my own and have great success with a 1 and 1/8 oz load of steel #4 in a Remington Black unibody hull. It gives me 1275fps and has good knock down power out to about 45-50 yards. (after that I let 'em go - not important enough to me to shoot long range shots)

marty-il

RE: Best load for pheasants?
 

I shoot an O/U

The first shot is 6's and the second 5's... Sorry I cant recall the velocity.