Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game Pheasant Field Load Q?

I'm going to shoot some pheasants this weekend. What is a typical field load in 12 gauge? The farm says they recommend steel, but will allow lead. I'm shooting a Model 12 with a poly-choke.

Thanks for any input.

Wild birds over pointing dogs, one ounce of six's in a 2.5" 12 ga. I will some times back it with a 5 in the second barrel. I've used the same loads when I'm shooting backup they just seem to work well for me.

Game farm birds 7 1/2 trap loads work great, I used them for shorting pheasants at hunt tests.

Thanks for commentary.

Is the trap load similar to a target load, versus a field load? I just found some steel shells that had to have been sold to me at the last farm I attended, but they marked water fowl and are 4's...

I use a heavy lead load like the older "duck and pheasant" loads. 1 1/4 oz max dram loads of either 4,5,6, or 7 1/2 shot.

This is for wild birds, pen raised birds don't take nearly as much killing and a trap load will usually work fine.

If you can locate a heavy field load for your 12 ga. it will kill as far as a guy can hit..

It will have 3 1/4 drams of powder- 1 1/4 oz. of shot 5's are my favorite..

The heavy load of duck and pheasant is 3 3/4 drams of powder.. More recoil, but also the heavy duck load is easier to find..

As far as shot size, my pick is 5's,then 4's, then 6's..
I have used all three.. To me the heavier of the three sizes are the better.. 6's can put a lot of shot into a
bird. 4 & 5's kill super with less pellets.. Again 5's would be my first choice..

Thanks for all the input, guys...

Fiocchi Golden Phesant load. All you'll ever need.

sse, I have shot the Golden Phesant load 47 mentions.. But it is 1 3/8 oz. load and rather fast.. It is certainly a killer with the high quality nicked plated shot.. And it will kill pheasants, grouse, etc. very dead.. BUT it has more recoil than I want to deal with when shooting roosters or most other game.. In an auto, it would be fine, but since you and I shoot pumps, there is nothing to help soften the recoil..
Don't get me wrong, it is a great load, but more than we need for shooting under 45 yards..

Thanks, Wyo, and thanks to all...most insightful.

Eventually, I'll try and post pics of both the firearm (she's a looker) and the birds...

This is what I got in #6. Was on sale at the local chain retailer. They didn't have much else, selection wise.

Remington Pheasant Loads

I'd try and snag some #5's.

My dad always used 6's but I like 5's the mostest.




Travis

Did some research and looks like I discovered why the earlier game farm, which insists on steel, sold me #4's...due to their lower density. They are 2 3/4, 1 1/16, #4, 1550 FPS. They did work fine, but as mentioned, the one I'm going to has no restriction.

FIVAH.

ss, those will work ok.. They are the heavy duck loads at 1330 fps.. Just a bit more recoil.. I think 5's are kind of tough to find some times.. If you are going to shoot often, I bought a bunch of RST ammo and had it shipped to my home.. They have a wide variety of loads not common in other factory ammo..
Good luck and have fun..

As you see, deflave agrees with fives.. Then there can be NO QUESTION THEY ARE THE BEST!!!!!

I like #5 or #6 shot for pheasants

I would get 5's if I had the chance to shop around for them. Also, this is a one time deal, though I may try it again sometime between now and February.

Don't you mean 2 3/4" NOT 2 1/2"????

+1.




Travis

I'm sure that is what he meant.

For less recoil than Golden Pheasant, there's Winchester Upland & Small game. 3 1/4,1 1/4,#5s (1220 fps). Symbol is X12P5.