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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ pheasant loads |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:06 am
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Joined: 23 Apr 2019
Posts: 14
Location: Albertville, MN
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I had my Model 12 out Saturday on a pheasant hunt I was using the Blue box Federals with #6 shot and with the weather conditions some of the flushes were long. Maybe my 12 Ga would have been a better choice but I was anxious to use my new toy. 4"s or ?????? The gun has a Poly Choke so choke isn't an issue...
I usually shoot 5"S in my 12 gauge but you have less shot to work with a little help??? |
_________________ Chris |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:51 am
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Member
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Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 1740
Location: Central Missouri
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Guns and patterns aside , I find when I point closer to the target , I have plenty of gun .
Best regards Nick |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 3:09 pm
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Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 787
Location: Indiana
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Deadeye:
Some friends and I recently returned from a pheasant hunting trip to NW Iowa and were fortunate enough to get our share of birds. I used my 16's and the most effective load for me was the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant; consisting of 1 1/8 oz. of #5 shot at 1310 fps. As I recall they cost about $17/box. They can be tough to find, and if you can't locate those, the Remington yellow & green box "express" 1 1/8 oz. loads of #5 or #6 are functional too, at somewhere around $14.00/box.. |
_________________ One Man with Courage is a Majority
---Andrew Jackson |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 3:18 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2815
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Wolfchief,
If he has a problem purchasing the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant shells he can always get them thru Lion Country Supply, I use the #5 also. Order a case and get free shipping right to your door. I have mine shipped to the back woods of Potter County, Pa each year.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 5:29 pm
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Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 787
Location: Indiana
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Good to know, Dave |
_________________ One Man with Courage is a Majority
---Andrew Jackson |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 6:14 pm
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Member
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Joined: 30 Nov 2011
Posts: 1700
Location: Minnesota
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You didn't say which load you used; both the 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz are in blue boxes.Federal also offers the stiffest 1 1/8 oz load I know of , their premium Pheasants forever load still 1 /18 oz but at 1425fps and copper plated shot. I think they come in 4,5,and 6's. |
_________________ Great dog, Great friends,Great guns |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:07 pm
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Joined: 03 Sep 2014
Posts: 398
Location: Rochester, MN
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This is not rocket surgery.
Any 20, 16 or 12 gauge shotgun with an improved cylinder or modified choke using an ounce or more of 4, 5, or 6 lead shot at a muzzle velocity of 1200 or more fps will kill any well pointed pheasant that is in range (<40 yards) when the gun goes off.
If you want or need to use nontoxic shot use 4, 5, or 6 bismuth, or 2, 3, 4 steel.
If you shoot at pheasants at ranges greater than 40 yards, expect to miss many and expect it to be difficult to recover birds that are hit but not killed. |
_________________ John Singer |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:51 pm
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Joined: 23 Apr 2019
Posts: 14
Location: Albertville, MN
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Savage16 wrote: |
You didn't say which load you used; both the 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz are in blue boxes.Federal also offers the stiffest 1 1/8 oz load I know of , their premium Pheasants forever load still 1 /18 oz but at 1425fps and copper plated shot. I think they come in 4,5,and 6's.
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it was the 1-1/8 load of 6' s the Blue box not there Premium stuff... I picked up some Fiochi #5 and a box of the Federal Premiums in #5 to try next time... |
_________________ Chris |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 9:00 pm
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Joined: 23 Apr 2019
Posts: 14
Location: Albertville, MN
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John Singer wrote: |
This is not rocket surgery.
Any 20, 16 or 12 gauge shotgun with an improved cylinder or modified choke using an ounce or more of 4, 5, or 6 lead shot at a muzzle velocity of 1200 or more fps will kill any well pointed pheasant that is in range (<40 yards) when the gun goes off.
If you want or need to use nontoxic shot use 4, 5, or 6 bismuth, or 2, 3, 4 steel.
If you shoot at pheasants at ranges greater than 40 yards, expect to miss many and expect it to be difficult to recover birds that are hit but not killed.
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Thanks for your help " Rocket Surgeon" I have a lab with the conditions we had some runners.. I have used the Blue Box in my 12 gauge with 5's but 5's in 16 are hard to find for me in 16 ga without buying premium ammo...I'm also new to the gauge trying to learn... |
_________________ Chris |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 03, 2019 1:01 am
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Joined: 19 Jan 2019
Posts: 289
Location: Idaho & South Dakota
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John Singer wrote: |
This is not rocket surgery.
Any 20, 16 or 12 gauge shotgun with an improved cylinder or modified choke using an ounce or more of 4, 5, or 6 lead shot at a muzzle velocity of 1200 or more fps will kill any well pointed pheasant that is in range (<40 yards) when the gun goes off.
If you want or need to use nontoxic shot use 4, 5, or 6 bismuth, or 2, 3, 4 steel.
If you shoot at pheasants at ranges greater than 40 yards, expect to miss many and expect it to be difficult to recover birds that are hit but not killed.
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Sound advise.
I shoot(RST, Gamebore, Holland & Holland and my low pressure 16ga reloads) 1oz of 5's or 6's going 1200fps. Almost all my shots are 40yds or less. I kill 85-90% of the birds I shoot at. Hit them solid or in the front half you will have them in the bag provided you have a good retriever with you. |
_________________ "A gun should be a thing of beauty, something which gives its owner pride and pleasure. For that reason, most men will buy the best gun they can afford. With a good gun on his arm, a man becomes a sporting gentleman, both on the field and off." |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 03, 2019 4:39 am
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Joined: 03 Sep 2014
Posts: 398
Location: Rochester, MN
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Purple16 wrote: |
I shoot(RST, Gamebore, Holland & Holland and my low pressure 16ga reloads) 1oz of 5's or 6's going 1200fps. Almost all my shots are 40yds or less. I kill 85-90% of the birds I shoot at. Hit them solid or in the front half you will have them in the bag provided you have a good retriever with you.
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It is always better to shoot a pheasant at the end where the corn goes in than the end where the corn comes out.
On a serious note, I contend that many hit and lost pheasants are shot through one wing. Being that we evolved as predators, our eyes naturally focus on the fastest moving objects in our field of vision. Your gun should go to where your eyes focus. With a flushing pheasant, that would be the wings. It takes some experience to focus on the bird's head and ignore the wings. |
_________________ John Singer |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 03, 2019 5:02 am
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Joined: 03 Sep 2014
Posts: 398
Location: Rochester, MN
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Deadeye8 wrote: |
John Singer wrote: |
This is not rocket surgery.
Any 20, 16 or 12 gauge shotgun with an improved cylinder or modified choke using an ounce or more of 4, 5, or 6 lead shot at a muzzle velocity of 1200 or more fps will kill any well pointed pheasant that is in range (<40 yards) when the gun goes off.
If you want or need to use nontoxic shot use 4, 5, or 6 bismuth, or 2, 3, 4 steel.
If you shoot at pheasants at ranges greater than 40 yards, expect to miss many and expect it to be difficult to recover birds that are hit but not killed.
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Thanks for your help " Rocket Surgeon" I have a lab with the conditions we had some runners.. I have used the Blue Box in my 12 gauge with 5's but 5's in 16 are hard to find for me in 16 ga without buying premium ammo...I'm also new to the gauge trying to learn...
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I am sorry, my snark was not intended to offend you. It was intended for those among us that think that pheasants can only be killed with "magic" shells and chokes.
The plain truth is that we have been doing it for a long time with ordinary guns, shells, and chokes.
Premium shells usually contain better components. Hardened shot, cleaner powders, etc. Premium shells offer some advantages but are not necessary.
As you become more experienced, you will find a combination that you have confidence in.
I have been doing this for a long time and I am still learning. I do much of my pheasant hunting on lands requiring nontoxic shot. I shoot both 12 gauge and 16 gauge guns. Until recently, I had been using steel. This year, I have been experimenting with bismuth. It does seem to be more effective.
I wish you the very best in your quest. |
_________________ John Singer |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:16 am
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Deadeye8 wrote: |
Savage16 wrote: |
You didn't say which load you used; both the 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz are in blue boxes.Federal also offers the stiffest 1 1/8 oz load I know of , their premium Pheasants forever load still 1 /18 oz but at 1425fps and copper plated shot. I think they come in 4,5,and 6's.
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it was the 1-1/8 load of 6' s the Blue box not there Premium stuff... I picked up some Fiochi #5 and a box of the Federal Premiums in #5 to try next time...
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I've killed a lot of MN roosters with those Federal 1 1/8 oz. 6's in my Rem. 11. They used to be called High Power and a pretty stiff load at 1300 fps, and for some reason these days they are looked at as not quite enough. Get a stouter load and the range increases, maybe, and the bird losses continue.
The best load is a well-practiced shooter who knows his limitations and also owns a good dog.
Not trying to be preachy, just how it is. ![Smile](images/smiles/icon_smile.gif) |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:31 am
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Member
![Member Member](images/theavatar.jpg)
Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 2175
Location: Florida
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Dave Erickson wrote: |
Deadeye8 wrote: |
Savage16 wrote: |
You didn't say which load you used; both the 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz are in blue boxes.Federal also offers the stiffest 1 1/8 oz load I know of , their premium Pheasants forever load still 1 /18 oz but at 1425fps and copper plated shot. I think they come in 4,5,and 6's.
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it was the 1-1/8 load of 6' s the Blue box not there Premium stuff... I picked up some Fiochi #5 and a box of the Federal Premiums in #5 to try next time...
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I've killed a lot of MN roosters with those Federal 1 1/8 oz. 6's in my Rem. 11. They used to be called High Power and a pretty stiff load at 1300 fps, and for some reason these days they are looked at as not quite enough. Get a stouter load and the range increases, maybe, and the bird losses continue.
The best load is a well-practiced shooter who knows his limitations and also owns a good dog.
Not trying to be preachy, just how it is.
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Amen ! ![Very Happy](images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif) |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:41 am
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Joined: 29 Nov 2018
Posts: 23
Location: United States
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I have been using Federal Premium #5 shot for the past couple of seasons. They've worked great except when I miss. Then they're terrible. ![Laughing](images/smiles/icon_lol.gif) |
_________________ Michael MN
Current 16 gauge shotguns
Browning BPS Special Field 26"
Browning 525 26"
Franchi Instinct SL 28" |
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