Pheasant loads

[ruffbritt4]

My dad bought some Fiocchi 20g 3 inch #5 shots for the youth pheasant hunt this weekend, will I have a bird fit for the table? These birds will be stocked birds as we have no wild pheasant. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[nikegundog]

Great shells, #5s is an excellent choice.

[ruffbritt4]

Thanks. One more thing, are they very loud?

[nikegundog]

Thanks. One more thing, are they very loud?

I going deaf, probably in large part from years of shooting shotguns without hearing protection, so nothing is loud to me anymore. Having to do it again, I would never pull a trigger with muffs or plugs.

[displaced_texan]

I used to shoot those exact shells, I didn't notice them being that loud, but they aren't quiet either.

[RayGubernat]

I never saw the need for 3" shells when shooting stocked pheasant over pointing dogs. Wild birds perhaps but not stcoked birds.

Flushing dogs perhaps, but not needed, IMO, over a point.

My preference for pheasant has always been for2 3/4" high base, #6 fine shot out of a 20 ga. IC barrel. Kills them fine out to about 30-35 yards and does not blow them up at 20 yards. #5 is not much different, just a tad coarser shot .


I'd let the phez get in a couple extra wingbeats with those 3" shells, especially if you are using anything tighter than IC. A 3", 20ga. load has as many pellets as a 12 ga., and they are coming out pretty fast, so there is a lot of shot with a lot of energy.

RayG

[ruffbritt4]

Thanks guys! Ill try to let the birds get out farther. Sounds like 3 inch shot will be ok.

[cjhills]

Might be a little high powered for kids

[vartz04]

I've killed quite a few phez that were pointed (stocked birds). With cheap low brass number 6 2-3/4 ". Shells.

I'd downsize your next purchase

[vols fan]

I shoot 7 1/2 on all stock birds, They go down pretty easy. If you miss you just go get them again.

[tjsnipehunter]

I've shot plenty of wild pheasants with 2 3/4" 20ga loads. It's what I'll likely be using next weekend. 3" seems like a lot more then is needed for a youth hunt on released birds. 5s or 6s are fine.

Tim

[UglyD]

I've shot plenty of wild pheasants with 2 3/4" 20ga loads. It's what I'll likely be using next weekend. 3" seems like a lot more then is needed for a youth hunt on released birds. 5s or 6s are fine.

Tim

Ditto- sure hate to have a youth getting into hunting started thinking about the recoil.

[topher40]

I use 7.5 or 8 shot, whatever is cheap with a .20 gauge full choke and ALWAYS bag more birds than anyone else in the party. Doesnt matter if its turkey, pheasant, chickens, or quail.

[Mountaineer]

My dad bought some Fiocchi 20g 3 inch #5 shots for the youth pheasant hunt this weekend, will I have a bird fit for the table? These birds will be stocked birds as we have no wild pheasant. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Any "fitness for the table" will be most about distance and choke rather than shell length or shot diameter....then add in the main component, with that being a good shot.

Noise may also be more a factor of barrel length or porting of barrel or choke tube...if you use choke tubes.

Short story....7 1/2s will add more shot to pick out of the meat and 5s are seldom necessary for pointed Preserve birds.

Not knowing the scattergun used, the 3" shells may recoil a bit more than a good 1 ounce 20 gauge load but the excitement of the moment will render most of these silly side issue factors of shot, etc. moot.
Have fun and don't make the mistake that most stumble over, with some obviously never recovering from the stumble,....that being, missing the real importance of being there with Dad and Birds and hopefully, Dog.
Swatting stuff out of the air involves little rocketry....good luck.

[ruffbritt4]

Thanks for all the help. I will try to go a little smaller shell next time. I will also let the bird get further out.

[Neil]

I really hate to say this, but you must pattern the gun/choke, and shell to know. You don't need fancy stands and targets, just find an old box, piece of plywood, newspaper. You really don't need to count pellets, just eyeball it at the range you expect to shoot, in your case 25 yards or so. Many 3" 20 gauge just don't pattern well.

If the birds get up close, wait until they get out a ways, and then mount and fire in one motion, don't mount and ride the bird.

Good hunting and thank your dad.