Choke tubes for pheasants.

[turkeyfeather]

So my wife and I are going pheasant hunting this weekend for our anniversary (it was her idea not mine). Neither of us has ever been pheasant hunting before and I am not sure what choke tubes to use. I have a Winchester SX3, and she has a Remington 870 Wingmaster. Thanks

[AWS]

If your hunting over flushing dogs modified might be a good choice, over pionters I'd go with an IC.  When I was gunning for spanial Hunt Tests I used a tight IC and Imp Mod.  When I'm hunting over our pionters, I go with an IC and Mod. In my doudle guns.

[Camp David]

I'm assuming pen raised birds. IC will bring them down out to 40 yds. Get some #5s. If you use a modified...let them get out a little before puttling the trigger or you will be having pheasant burger for dinner.

[halflife65]

I'm assuming pen raised birds. IC will bring them down out to 40 yds. Get some #5s. If you use a modified...let them get out a little before puttling the trigger or you will be having pheasant burger for dinner.

Perfect - I use 5s or 6s.  Improved Cylinder (IC) would be hands-down my choice on pen raised birds.  If you don't have one Carlson makes one for most shotguns and you can go to Cabelas and just buy one that should work for your purposes.  I think that they're around $25 or so - not that expensive.  You can find cooler chokes (probably everyone has their preference) but that just makes it easy to go pick one up and they work just fine.

[JLS]

IC plus a load of #5s is a pretty lethal pheasant combo.

[JColony]

IC with 5's or 6's for me.  Never had a problem.

[Stilly bay]

pen raised birds with a pointer, or just walking up on them without a dog I would go improved cylinder or even cylinder, and with number 7 1/2's in lead or #4's in steel.

pen raised birds over a well trained retriever or spaniel I would go IC or light modified #6's in lead or big old #2's in steel.

pen raised birds over a poorly trained retriever or spaniel or pointer and I would bust out the extra full and the biggest shot I could put through it... or wait for them to land and come walking back to the pen for supper and snipe them with a 22.

[halflife65]

pen raised birds with a pointer, or just walking up on them without a dog I would go improved cylinder or even cylinder, and with number 7 1/2's in lead or #4's in steel.

pen raised birds over a well trained retriever or spaniel I would go IC or light modified #6's in lead or big old #2's in steel.

pen raised birds over a poorly trained retriever or spaniel or pointer and I would bust out the extra full and the biggest shot I could put through it... or wait for them to land and come walking back to the pen for supper and snipe them with a 22.

Huh, Stilly, your last comment leads me to believe you've hunted with my dog before.  Bring on the .22!    

[270Shooter]

Factory IC with steel 3's or 4's.

[turkeyfeather]

Thanks for all the help guys. I am happy to report we had a successful first ever bird hunt. We got six birds to bring home to eat and two off to the taxidermist. If any one wants to go pheasant hunting we would highly recommend you go see Joe at Double Barrel Ranch. Great guide, full of good information, we had a great time. And their dogs did a excellent job too. I almost think it was as much fun watching the dogs work.

[Stilly bay]

I almost think it was as much fun watching the dogs work.

 

what choke did you end up using?

[turkeyfeather]

We both ended up using a modified choke with #6 shot.(guides recommendation) Seemed to work pretty good, we missed the first couple of birds. I will blame that on the wind, cause it couldn't possibly have been bad shooting.

[AWS]

Double Barrel Ranch is a really nice place, I've been invited out there on a couple of corprate hunts and the birds have been excellent, big hard fliers.

AWS

[JColony]

I almost think it was as much fun watching the dogs work.

Couldn't agree more!!!

[high country]

I will second props to the dbr. Ron fed me dang near daily thru high school....dude can cook some serious chow too. I am glad to see he has turned his dream into a classy successful operation. The sporting clay course is worth a look too.