Shot Size For Pheasants

[Mayfly]

I got a PM from a member asking for a recommendation on shot size for pheasants.


I shoot #5 3in. Magnums.

I have and will shoot 4 and will shoot 6 as well but I prefer #5.


Anyone else?

[Spinach]

I also shoot Federal # 5's in 2 3/4  they run about $10 a box.

Traditionally a good rule of thumb for wild birds is to use # 6's in the early season and 4's in the later season, that is why I just use #5's all year.

I also only use 2 3/4 for Pheasant hunting, they do the job just fine for me.

[JohnWester]

#6, 2 3/4" steel... prefer federals.

[iceman]

I shoot 4 shot 3in. Magnums. ::rockon::

[guythathunts]

I'm all 5's all the time. It makes it simple. Instead of trying to decide when is a good time to switch... I just don't! 5's in Kent Federal or Winchester. I prefer Kent as odd as it may seem to some Kent seems to preform better than all of the others and it doesn't break the bank!!!

~ Greg

[Buster]

I'm going to echo Spinach, 6's then 4's or 5's all typically in 2 3/4. Carry some steel also for that requirement.

[Roosterslayer]

I shoot 3" #4 ( Steel) in the early seasons when birds hold tight, and 3" #2 in the late season when the birds get up a lot sooner. But when I am hunting in SD I use 3" #2 all the time, the birds out there seem to be a lot tougher for some reason. Oh and I dont think this is over kill, and i rarely blow up a bird, i think only happened once last year but the bird was only like 20' from the end of the barrel.

[schwinger]

I shoot #4 lead when you can use lead. Switch to #2 steel when steel is required. I have only ever used 2 3/4" but I may use 3" this year in SD for the longer shots. I agree with you Roosterslayer I don't see it as overkill, this gives me more time to let the bird get out a little ways and allow me to sight in on him.

[Mayfly]

Oh and I dont think this is over kill, and i rarely blow up a bird, i think only happened once last year but the bird was only like 20' from the end of the barrel.

When the bird is that close I am sure any shot size will blow it up I have had a few like that.

How about blowing the head off? Now that is a good lead. A few times hunting in Iowa I shot the head clear off. Nice Shot!

[Roosterslayer]

Well the reason I dont blow them up too much on the first shot is cause i can never hit them on the first shot. Maybe thats why everybody in our group calls me "two shot". LOL well any ways i think the 3" #2 is the best for pheasant/duck.

[thunderpout]

I like this formula, (ya need a o/u or a sxs) first barrel,light modified, six shot....second barrel,improved modified with either four or five shot mags...you can customize with two barrels!!!  some people dont need twenty tries to bring down a swamp chicken.... :ROTFLMAO:      -thunderpout 8)

[The General]

No kidding here and not trying to be a smart A.  But I use 3 1/2 in BB steel.  I let them get out a bit and they work just great.  I buy a case of shells at the beginning of every year and use it for everything.  Plus I don't like to have wounded birds running away on me.

[BirdHunter]

i use anything from 4, 5 or 6  and i don't see a difference from any of them---usually i change choke patterns is what makes more of a difference---i taken down pheasants with either a 20 ga using 6 shot with 3/4oz steel or 12ga 3in mag with 11/2 oz lead---also i prefer a 20ga---it is way lighter and just so easy to carry and can go a whole day with ease----just have to put the bead on the bird is all and have the right choke tube in and if so error on the tigher side of things--just my .02 cents

[thunderpout]

Yo Birdhunter..youre right.. when all said and done,  the most important thing is just HIT THE DAMN BIRD....all the other things just improve your chances!  People have killed turkeys with 410's.  Yeah the 20g is sweet when luggin a gun around all day, not to mention day after day...I used one for pheasants for like 15 yrs.             -thunderpout 8)

[Wolfer1199]

I personally stagger my loads. For example i put either 7 1/2 or 6 in for the 1st shell then either 6 or 4 and finally 4. The reason is that i just moved fromm colorado and we have quail so if i flush them, anything larger than 6 shot is going to erase their existence from the planet. If its just pheasant then 6,4,4. But don't forget to mention that it also depends on the time of year and how close they are flushing and the terrain being hunted. I like 5 shot but its generally harder to find and a touch more expensive.

[shakey legs 2]

#5 shot in both lead and non-toxic.  I shoot 12 gauge 2 3/4" inch 1 1/4 oz. loads that produce 1450 ft./sec. in lead and 1500 ft./sec. in non-toxic.  It is the impact from high velocity and the penetration of the " 5's that anchor the pheasant.  I use Federal copper plated shot in lead and Kent tungsten/matrix in non-toxic.  good luck!

[rem]

6"s dont rush let them get out there!

[huntr42]

I vote for 16 ga 5#s all the way from oct thru dec,everyone have a great season