Losing birds

[T-Bone]

UplandJoe, just a guess, but I suspect your "older" Remington 1100 20 Ga. is chambered for only 2 3/4" shells (look on the outside of the barrel). The 2 3/4" 20 Ga. #4 or larger steel shot shells can be a bit hard to find. As I and others have mentioned, Kent's TungtenMatrix is an excellent option, but a bit expensive and hard to find. I ran into a good price on another option, Rio's Bismuth at Academy Sports; plus even in 2 3/4", it gives you a full ounce of shot:
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/rio-bismuth-20-gauge-shotshells?repChildCatid=929932

Tom

[doubletall]

Where do you find it?  I ended up ordering some Kent Ultimate Pheasant from Brownell's, because I couldn't find anything locally.

They usually have the Classic Doubles Hevi Shot at Sportco; it's pretty spendy, like 3-4 bucks a round.

[Bill W]

I have a 2 3/4" 20 gauge, same as the original poster.   I started going out for the senior pheasant hunt and had to really hunt to find 2 3/4" steel shot.   What was recommended to me by the local sporting goods was Kent Fasteel in #5.  The woman behind the counter used it in her gun and said it killed them dead.

I wish I could say it works for me but my issue is getting the little birdie to position itself in the pattern.   I didn't practice at all this year.

[dustysags]

I use 4's either 2 3\4 or 3" whatever i have in truck and have good luck.

[bobcat]

With a 20 gauge I'd use something other than steel shot. The alternatives do cost a little more, but how many shells do you really go through on a pheasant hunt anyway?

[CP]

The obvious solution is a 12 gauge. 

[RadSav]

With a 20 gauge I'd use something other than steel shot. The alternatives do cost a little more, but how many shells do you really go through on a pheasant hunt anyway?

I would order two cases each year from Sportsman's Guide.  Wife and I hit the release site four days a week.  Usually last us the entire season.  When you actually kill/find the birds you shoot ammo lasts a long time.  Release birds are slow, easy to hit and all you get are two birds a day.  That doesn't eat up much ammo. 20 gauge Rocks!

[D-Rock425]

The obvious solution is a 12 gauge. 

he meant 10 gauge

[ctwiggs1]

With a 20 gauge I'd use something other than steel shot. The alternatives do cost a little more, but how many shells do you really go through on a pheasant hunt anyway?

I would order two cases each year from Sportsman's Guide.  Wife and I hit the release site four days a week.  Usually last us the entire season.  When you actually kill/find the birds you shoot ammo lasts a long time.  Release birds are slow, easy to hit and all you get are two birds a day.  That doesn't eat up much ammo. 20 gauge Rocks!

   I switched to old nastalgia, my first shotgun that was gifted to me from my dad when I was 10.  20 gauge single shot break action shotgun!  Love carrying that little lightweight beauty around the fields.  Hasn't held me back at all! 

[Goldeneye]

The obvious solution is a 12 gauge. 

he meant 10 gauge

Something like this?

[RadSav]

Ahhh the old 2 gauge.  Those were awesome

[westsidehntr]

What is that, an AA gun? 

[Bill W]

punt gun used by market hunters.

[RadSav]

[JODakota]

With a 20 gauge I'd use something other than steel shot. The alternatives do cost a little more, but how many shells do you really go through on a pheasant hunt anyway?

That depends on what other species of birds are around...