shot question

[mcafferty]

The wife and i are going to the game farm this weekend to shoot Pheasants.  She has a 20ga the question is what shot should she be using i never shoot anything but my 12 ga.  She is new to this sport.  We also must shot steel where we are going.  I want chock should she use.  these are farm birds so they will most likely be slow.  so i was thinking improved with #6 shot 3".  Any input or advice would be great....Thanks 

[btoa]

I also shoot a 12ga. when hunting at the game farm I use modified with 4 shot, but 6 will work just fine.

[mcafferty]

When i shoot i use 4 shot mod.  but i am wondering what she should use in her 20 ga. 

[Mayfly]

In the 20 I would use 4 or 6. Not a giant difference. If you can find 5 use them. I would also prefer magnums. Modified choke is what I always use.


 

[GRIZ]

since you need to use steel shot i would go with 4. The pellet count is roughly the same as 6 lead. As a general rule go 2 sizes larger with steel as lead. The pellet count is roughl;y the same and the ballistics are close as well. Hope this helps. The downrange ballistics are roughly the same with 2 pellet sizes larger in steel no matter what gauge you use. If you have used 4 lead in the past go to dueces, if 6 lead go to 4. Myself have never changed shot size for different guages, but may change to a different choke. That would be just to keep a full shot pattern and string.

[mcafferty]

thanks for the info.  sounds like #4 3" steel will do the job.  what about the choke?  mod or improved.  Imp. would give her a better chance of hitting the bird right.  remember she is new and not a good shot at all.  we still need to work on that.

[GRIZ]

Sorry I'm a slow typer. You posted as I was re doing my post. Choke has 2 different things going for and against it. If you expect closer ranges I would go with modified and at further ranges I would say full. Since she is new I'm guessing she will also not be too quick on the3 draw so to speak. That is why I recommend one tighter than you are even asking. I say this as I like to take my time on a shot, granted I can shoot quick I really would rather take my time and make one count. It is just my observation that newbies tend to take a bit more time, but I've seen it the other way where they shoot the dirt in front of their feet. Tell her to take her time and do it right. My $.02

[mcafferty]

good point i may have to do that for her tomorrow.  thanks for the info

[HUNTER2]

Here is my 2 cents. They say to use 2 sizes bigger when using steel because the shot is lighter and the bigger the shot the father it will go. There is definitely less BB's in 4 shot compared to 6 shot. It doesn't matter if it is lead or steel the shot is still the same size. I do a lot of reloading.

[kenhuntin]

If you are hunting farm birds give her the smallest steel shot you can find. It does not take much to put down a pheasant they are relatively thin skinned. This way the more shot she has in the air the better the chance is she can down them chinese chickens. I only use steel in all my bird hunting and this year have been shooting 12 ga.seven shot for pheasants with incredible success, even long shots. $.02

[GRIZ]

I just checked and in one once of steel there are 192 #4 steel shot pellets and in an once of lead #6 there are 225 pellets so it is a few less pellets by going 2 sizes bigger with steel.