Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game Pheasant loads and chokes

In my opinion, the non-toxics, especially tungsten and bismuth, for upland shooting are great. I prefer them to lead. If we were talking dove shooting in South America, the cost would be an issue. But for most pheasant hunters, I don't think the price will make that much difference.

Pretty much mirrors my experience. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Exceptions are Antonio Zoli O/U with Skeet chokes and
lead shot. 6s are good all around and 7 1/2s for tight
birds.

All good thoughts. My primary pheasant gun is the Win 101 20 gauge choked imp cyl and mod that my Grandfather left me Since it's preserve pheasants here in MD 7 1/2's are fine over Finn the Wonder pup but if it's windy you tend to get some wilder flushes and further shots so I always have some 6's along.

Allen

Cas,

I realize you wrote this back in July but I feel the need to make some comments.

The beauty of a SxS, which I feel you are missing with your choice of chokes, is "two" barrels which leads to "two" chokes. Your first barrel should really shoot a much more open choke. Believe it or not, even a cylinder choke will effectively take pheasants to about 20-25 yards depending upon the size of shot you use. A standard 1 oz load of #6's will run between 225 and 232 pellets. That should put about 70% of the load into a 30" circle. Think about how many birds you've taken within 25 yards. Then, if you wish, go ahead and run your full or IM choke in the left barrel. Probably a 1-1/8 or 1-1/4 oz load of #5's.

You won't see me knocking anyone for shooting ducks with a 28. At least if they use lead.

For the record..

My go-to pheasant slayer is a 100+ year old W&S "Screw grip" actioned SxS retailed by Manton of London. It's got 2-1/2" chambers behind 30" barrels choked 10 and 24 (IC and MOD). It weighs 6 lb 2 oz and I roll crimp my own 1 and 1-1/16 oz loads of West Coast #6's. It's straight gripped with a hard rubber butt plate. Fits me to a "T".

Big Al