Ruddyduck

See what patterns best out of your shotgun. If you're using a single barrel gun I'd stick to a mod choke and in a double o/u or sxs a skt or ic and mod.
If you're hunting over a dog , especially a pointer 7 1/2's will do good for first shoot with 6 or 5's a good choice for 2nd. get out and practice skeet and trap low gun. Practice ,practice ,practice, that's the key more than any magical choke load combination.

Roost em 1st

Absolutely check your pattern @ 30-35 yards. I used 6's last year in a 16 gauge with no troubles at all. Probably too late to tell you to get a 20 gauge but if it's not you might reconsider. If you already have the 12 then I'm sure you'll be fine and you should be stronger
at seasons end after lugging the extra weight. I'm headed to Montana next week where I'll use a 28 on calm days and a 16 on the windy days. The beauty of a 20 or 28 for pheasant is noticed when you have walked 10-15 miles a day for 5 days.
I'll shoot 6's in the first barrel and 4's in the second until I get a limit on ringnecks then put 7.5's in both while seeking sharpies and huns for the remainder of the day.
Last year in Montana I learned the value of patience. I shot a nice rooster way to close with 6's in the 16 and all I had to show for it was a pair of mangled legs and some feathers. Make sure you let the bird get out if you go afield with a 12.
My buddy swears by 4's and 2's during the late season but he shoots at birds between 35 and 40 yards. Don't shoot the 50 yard birds.
You can absolutely kill em but more often only drop a leg and feed the hawks.
Hope you get the chance to hunt over pointing dogs this year.

kill_it_n_grill_it

I generally use 6's in my Super X2 and it does great!! I also used 6's in my 16 guage!!

huntinmandan

6 2 3/4in for me mod choke works like a charm!

huntinmandan

nate, how old are you?
im 14 and i got a 12 and i can handle her just fine im only 5"2 102lbs if your smaller than that dont get it!

gselkhunter

Hi Nate, First question, what kind of hunting are you doing? Line and block or out chasing the dog. Line hunting can have some long shots. If this is the case 11/4oz of 4s or 5s will do the trick. Some guys will move up 13/8oz. If you are hunting over pointing dogs, this load can be a little much. If this is the case back off to 11/8oz load. I hunt over pointing dogs and shoot my 28ga most of the time. I use 6s for the first shot and 5s for the second. And I use copper or nickle shot. I also have a 20ga I like and use. In that gun I shoot a 1oz load. What ever load you use go out and put it on a pattern board. Play with chokes to see which one allows for the best pattern for your hunting type. Since I have close shots I use IC chokes. But if you are going to have longer shots, say 40yards or more, mod or improved mod or maybe even full choke might be needed. What ever else you do have fun and enjoy the season.
Gselkhunter