Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns 20 gauge vs 12 gauge on Pheasants

Flushing or pass-shooting?

Flushing...
Just my opinion, but the best time to hit a rooster it right when they level off, aiming right at there head!

It dose not always happen, but most of the time Roosters will flush straight up, then pump-it toward the direction there going.

That split second that they seem to level off is my best shot.

My second best shot is when there out there a ways after everyone else had there chance, and hit them with a hi-brass full of #2 or BB's from a tight choke.

To me it's not as gauge specific as it is getting over the idea that there hard to hit/kill.

I am a 20 gauge guy, but my father in law insisted that I take a 12 to Kansas last fall. I reluctantly did so, and after seeing how those birds flushed and absorbed hits, I am a believer in the 12 for pheasants. Now, I may try my 20 this year, but I am going to take the 12 as back up.

It's not the gauge that kills, it's the pattern... Having said that, there are days when the roosters are flushing waaaaay out there and a 12 is a better choice. Or you could simply stuff your 20 with Hevi-Shot.

I have been going to South Dakota to hunt pheasants for quite a few years now. I ordered a 20 ga SxS sidelock specifically for that purpose. I never shoot 3" shells. I just use "good" 2 3/4 loads with plated shot. I like #5 and #6 shot. Late in the season, often times after the snow has come, we pull out the 12 gauge guns. My friends shoot SBEs, 3". I still use 2 3/4 loads in a Browning Gold on an 1100. My next gun will be a nice 28 ga O/U. I won't take any shot over 30 yards with the 28. My shooting partners can send their dogs to go get the birds they shoot past 30. They will be shooting ther 12s.

If I were going to South Dakota, I'd pack a little gun too. But if you're coming to western Kansas, you'd better bring the big ones. Some days you might get by, but some days not. How can you know until you get there, so be prepared.

You guys must be hunting private land in South Dakota. Haven't found the need to ask permission to hunt or pay any trespass fees with all the state and federal land out there. That being said, non toxic is the rule and the 16 gauge is marginal at best with steel and the 12 gauge is really the base anyone should consider. Just haven't been impressed with any kind of steel shot out of a 20 gauge.

Actually I like to hunt the state leased walk-in areas around town where lead is permitted, mid to late afternoon when they're coming out of the crops. It's usually CRP land. There's usually enough weed seeds that some seem to hang in there all afternoon. Knee to waist high grass so you need a dog else they hide or run. That's where a 20 is nice. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I'll have to coordinate with a friend this year as I'm down to a rat terrier right now. (She's not bad at finding dead ones but won't retrieve worth a darn. ) Spendy bismuth for the game production areas and federal land as my upland guns shouldn't have steel.

battue....after 30+ years hunting SD pheasant, I couldn`t agree more.
I shoot a 12, Win 101 O/U, IC/Mod., hand loaded 1 1/4 oz. 4`s.

I'm sure that many of you know the answer to this question but I'll try it anyway. "What do you call pheasant hunting without a dog?"......................"Hiking"

Many of the 3" shells lack the velocity.....look closely at the velocity numbers.....Estate (if they're still available) actually duplicated the 12 Ga 2 3/4" load of 1 1/4 OZ shot at 1330 FPS.....

That's a helluve 20 Ga shell.....many other 3" 20s do only 1100 FPS!

I have a 20 Ga 2 3/4" load of #7 shot (believe it or not) that's awesome.....I load IMR-800-X in it and get tremendous speeds on a 1 OZ payload.....If I point the gun right the birds drop.