Pheasant ammo suggestion?

[ljsommer]

Hello folks,

   I have never hunted pheasant before (and only ever hunted game birds once: grouse) and am going to be attending https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/219947 with my wife. We both have 12 gauges as well as a singular 20 gauge at home. I have boxes of turkey ammo and buckshot, but nothing for pheasant. Is steel 2 or 3 shot, 3" shell a good load to start with?

I really don't know what I am getting into here but I am eager to just be around some folks that know what they're doing. Thanks for any info and apologies for the dumb question!

[CP]

steel #2 or #3 works fine.

[wadu1]

If you are hunting State land or release sites you are required to use nontoxic shells. I load my own shells, #5 Bismuth for 20 & 12ga. Steel is OK, but I would drop down to #5's, 2 3/4 works just fine. None State land you can use lead just be aware where you're hunting, I like #6 for that. 

[mboyle0828]

If you are hunting State land or release sites you are required to use nontoxic shells. I load my own shells, #5 Bismuth for 20 & 12ga. Steel is OK, but I would drop down to #5's, 2 3/4 works just fine. None State land you can use lead just be aware where you're hunting, I like #6 for that. 

Same here. Love lead #6s where I can. Where non-toxic is required I go with steel #5s.

[Loup Loup]

Lead #5 in both the 20 and 12. Second choice would be lead #4. I’ve never shot a pheasant with steel.

[follow maggie]

With lead I like 6s. If I’m in a place I have to use non toxic, I use #4 steel usually. 5s work pretty well also, I just don’t see them on the shelf much where I’m at.

[Torrent50]

I'm sold on Hevi Shot Heavy Metal 3" #4's.  Non toxic so you don't have to worry about where your are hunting and they hit hard.  I hunt release sites mostly, but just got back from Montana for a week with them.  Zero complaints.

[Shannon]

The killing power of lead over steel makes me choose lead when I can. I like 3" #5's for pheasant. I haven't bought ammo for a couple years but isn't lead still cheaper than steel also?

[crabcreekhunter]

Like said 1 1/4 -1 3/8 oz lead 4s-6s kill stuff.  If you can afford it bismuth is a great alternative (size shot similar to lead).  I can’t, so usually just use steel twos since they are the same as my duck loads.  Don’t do much upland hunting, but pheasants can cover some ground if just wounded. 

[metlhead]

Most field loads are fine. Release site birds behind a pointer only need stubby .410s with #7 steel. December birds on the Palouse with a flushing dog need .243Win. Steel duck loads kinda do it fine.

[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.