Other Hunting > Upland Birds
Pheasant ammo suggestion?
Threewolves:
4's a steel in a 20ga, over Maverick the pointer, mostly release sites, some E. Wa. Open cylinder on bottom, improved cylinder on top barrel.
3's in steel in a 12 ga, killed them a lot deader than they needed to be, even Maverick would give me the look, like you messed that one up. 5 steel also good in 12.
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Alex4200:
Couple other things to consider. Are you hunting behind a pointing dog, flushing dog, or no dog (being a blocker at the end of the field). Are they released birds or wild birds. All of this really determines how far you will be shooting. You can kill a pheasant with #7 1/2 lead if they are close enough. #6 lead is great for hunting with a pointing dog on wild birds. #4 lead for hunting with a flushing dog on wild birds. Late season blocking in the Dakotas #2 copper plated lead. Don't forget about what choke tube you will be using. I like cylinder or improved cylinder for close shots and improved cylinder or modified for longer shots. And go up in shot size if using steel. And make sure your choke is rated for steel.
EnglishSetter:
Club birds #6 thru #7-1/2 lead. Some clubs require nothing larger than 7.5.
Free range planted (like Western WA release sites) birds (non-tox required) #4 steel or #5 bismuth.
I shoot a mix of planters and wild birds. I settled on #3 steel or #4 bismuth (handloads). 2-3/4" is ample. Shot a LOT with lead #5 but if I might be hunting non-tox areas, I leave the lead at home. SD this year hunted a mix of private and public (WPA/GPA). Only took the bismuth. Annoying to swap shells (or worse forget and get visited by the Ranger) at various properties.
Though I have pointers, I don't expect wild birds to get up close. Sometimes they do, sometimes they flush wild.
Rob:
If you can use Lead at the place you plan to hunt at, my favorite factory ammo is Federal Prairie Storm in 5's.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023513291?pid=304711
I have not used them, but I understand many folks like the Fiocchi Golden Pheasent, again I would use 5's
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002145692?pid=789744
I have less experience with the non-tox stuff for pheasant, but I have found the hevi-shot good for waterfowl.
None of this stuff is cheap, but with pheasant I have found I do less shooting per trip than I do on other upland game hunts due to bigger targets and lower limits - so a box should last you longer. My thinking is, with as little time as I have to spend in the field, I am OK spending an extra 10 bucks per box for ammo to get premium stuff as opposed to being frugal.
Be wary of the west side pheasant release sites. I have never seen such a goat rodeo when I went there once. People running out in the field, shooting over each other - pure chaos. I hear the more seasoned hunters go a few hours after the start time and pick up strays without all the chaos.
Rob:
the craziness of the release sites should be less given you are doing a mentored hunt (I just looked at your link).
Pretty sure you need non-tox so I would go with hevi-shot in 5's. I prefer 3 inch to 2 3/4 but either will work fine.
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