Best Shell for Chukar

[J-Bone]

Hoping to get some advice as to the preferred shell size and choke for hunting Chukar. I have a 12 gauge o/u. I'm new to Chukar hunting and upland in general, so any advice is really appreciated. thanks!

[Mfowl]

Mod choke w/high brass #6 shot will get you there. If a nontox zone, then #4 steel.

[theleo]

1-1/4oz of #6 lead and chokes modified x full are my go to. If I'm using a pump or semi, I stick with a modified choke usually.

[WSU]

Lead 5's work well too.  I found that often the shots can be pretty long.

[KP-Skagit]

I shoot 5 steel and it gets the job done. Birds I don't get are because I flat missed, not because I didn't hit them hard enough. Typical shoot behind them, fast little (&^$@s.

[bobcat]

1-1/4oz of #6 lead and chokes modified x full are my go to. If I'm using a pump or semi, I stick with a modified choke usually.

 

[metlhead]

Also can depend on your dog. I hunt behind a pointer with flushes being very close. Steel 6s all day long out of my 20. Lots of huns and quail in the mix. No dog, you'd be better off with the lead 6s or waterfowl loads in steel. No need for the 3" loads though

[4T]

I hunt with a 20 ga pump.  I also hunt at spots that require non toxic, so I started hunting primarily with non toxic shot.  I also realize that it is spendy, but I dont like having lots of different boxes of shells floating around.  So I found BOSS SHOTSHELLS.  I shot 5s last year and got some 6s this year.  They are hammers when it comes to knocking birds down.  I start out shooting mod choke and switch to full later in the season.

[nwwanderer]

Would not worry about it too much, the number might be the kicker.  One might do for the season or a case might not be enough

[jetjockey]

I quit messing with chokes years ago.  Hell, most of my double guns are fixed choke anyway.  IC/Mod and #6’s are perfect for the mid sized birds like chukar.   Practice the KISS method.  For a 12 gauge, look for 1 1/4oz of shot at 1200fps.  Skip the ultra high velocity crap, it’s just marketing.

[metlhead]

4t, I'm really liking the BOSS loads in my 20. I would love to see some 7/8oz loads of biz 7s in a 2 3/4 shell. I go through a lot while chasing quail. Steel target 6 and 7s are pretty lame and DoveSteel and Upland Faststeel in the shorty are impossible to find.

[salish]

4t, I'm really liking the BOSS loads in my 20. I would love to see some 7/8oz loads of biz 7s in a 2 3/4 shell. I go through a lot while chasing quail. Steel target 6 and 7s are pretty lame and DoveSteel and Upland Faststeel in the shorty are impossible to find.

I'm considering BOSS shells for my 20 & 12 for no other reason than I can't find any non-tox, anywhere. Most of my guns are older fixed choke guns so I agree with Jetjocky below, but I also hunt in areas that either verge into non-tox territory or flat-out non-tox required areas. I can't find any non-tox to save my ass, either in stores or online. I do have one 20ga gun and a 12 that are modern and can shoot steel, but I can't even find steel.

[metlhead]

I switched to non tox for everything about ten years ago and have become accustomed to it. Hunt anywhere with no issues. Stockpiles of steel, but the BOSS loads seem a great compromise between premium amd cost. My 20 sees use most of the waterfowl season and all of my upland hunting. Just a death ray it is.

[metlhead]

By the way, my 20ga duck gun is throwing wicked dead patterns at 45yds with the BOSS 3" 4s.

[4T]

I like that you're not limited to which choke to use.  And it will shoot out of those ol classics if you so choose.  Hopefully someday I can get one.

[Lady Grouse hunter]

# 6's Lead shot 12 Gauge 

[KP-Skagit]

#6 steel out of a 28 gauge got the job done this past weekend. IC and modified.

[Ironhead]

Remington Long Range Express 7 shot

[metlhead]

Well J-bone, there you have it. The best shell for chukar. Hope this makes life easy now. Nothing about red legs is easy.

[Lady Grouse hunter]

# 6's

[Bwana Bob]

I load 1oz #7 in my 20ga and 1 1/8 #7 in my 16ga for the right barrel of my SxS's and high brass # 6 in the left barrel. I have a Brittany that points well so most of my shots are close. Works for me when I'm shooting well which  unfortunately doesn't happen all the time.           

[GWP]

If you shoot a 16 gauge, choke and/or shot size don’t matter. Chukar and Hun’s see the 16, no, FEEL the presence of a 16, know you are a ‘Professional’ and more skilled than the normal hunter, and realize running or flying is futile. They line up and come walking to you! 
Generally, #6’s. Premium will let you reach out further, but finding the bird may be more difficult. Nothing like off balance, out of breath, out of position shooting at a high speed object on a steep hillside. Addictive!

[hollymaster]

If you shoot a 16 gauge, choke and/or shot size don’t matter. Chukar and Hun’s see the 16, no, FEEL the presence of a 16, know you are a ‘Professional’ and more skilled than the normal hunter, and realize running or flying is futile. They line up and come walking to you! 
Generally, #6’s. Premium will let you reach out further, but finding the bird may be more difficult. Nothing like off balance, out of breath, out of position shooting at a high speed object on a steep hillside. Addictive!

[metlhead]

Booyah! Boss is now putting out a 20ga shorty with 7/8oz #7s. My 3" 5s have impressed me a lot for waterfowl. Gonna try a case of the 7s for a 1 shell do all for upland. My favorite steel loads are just impossible to find

[merkelman]

7/8 oz #6. 28ga…I have a killer recipe!

[GWP]

Yes, you do! Nice!

[2MANY]

7/8 oz #6. 28ga…I have a killer recipe!

Best chukar hunter I know shoots this load.