Best Pheasant shot size???

[O/U Guy]

I've had success with both #6 and #8 shot size. More with the 6's. I am new to wingshooting and want to know from someone with experience what they prefer.
Any help will be appreciated.

John

[jerry]

5's in lead
3's in steel

[two-70]

Jerry couldn't a said it any better high brass 5's are hard to beat for pheasant and i haven't had any uses will still shot yet

[nathangdad]

As someone who has lived in the Texas Panhandle for a long time I feel 4's are best. At increasing distance the feathers (especially back feathers) can deflect shot.

[samuel]

When I hunt those tough pheasant in Texas I use a double load of shot.#2,s to blow the feathers off and #4buck to kill the bird.Usually works unless I get mixed up and put the wrong shot first. sam.

[Lng Rng]

Try the Pheasants Forever loads. They shoot really hot, and part of the profit goes to PF. They come in 4's-6's, I think. You are getting good rounds, plus giving a little back. It's a win-win.

[jerry]

Anywhere from 4-6 seems adequate. i personaly have been a long time fan of 5's even back to the lead shot days of waterfowl. Energy is leaned toward the 4's which are good for energy retention, but you pick up some of the pattern density enjoyed in 6's. I like them in a 1 3/8 oz load. I'd like to to try the pheasants forever load LR.

I have had very good results with fiocchi golden pheasant.

Fiocchi Golden Pheasant Loads

[OldTimer]

I've always liked a#6 backed by 2@#4. If a rooster kept flying after a load of #6, the #4 would finish him, and if I flushed a double the #4 would reach out and knock down that second bird. I started using this combo because as tough as a big rooster is, grouse are tougher. I don't think I ever folded one cleanly with #6 shot, it took #4's to make it count.

Now my dog wasn't a pointer, she would find the birds and go right in to flush anywhere from at my feet to 20 or 30 yards out. Over a pointer I expect #6's would work very well.

Your milage may vary,

[samuel]

OldTimer:Good post.Shows experience.The trouble with combos like #4,s and#6,s is the big shot distorts some of the small shot and the small shot slows down faster leading to a wide pattern from distortion and a long shot string due to the heavier shot maintaining speed better than the light shot. sam.

[dogman2]

I use copper plated Winchester premium a 1 1/4 oz #5 at 1400 fps. Works whereever I hunt. Mostly in Iowa.

[jerry]

The winny premiums will smack them for sure

[O/U Guy]

Thank you all for the info.

John

[OldTimer]

Originally Posted by samuel

The trouble with combos like #4,s and#6,s is the big shot distorts some of the small shot and the small shot slows down faster leading to a wide pattern from distortion and a long shot string due to the heavier shot maintaining speed better than the light shot.

Hi Sam,
I should have been more clear in my post, it's not really a shot combo. I use one #6 shot shell in the chamber, and two #4 shot shells in the magazine. (CT allows three shells in a loaded gun for hunting.) Sorry about the confusion.