16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 863 Location: NoDak

Hi all, this is just a fun post and would kind of like to get some opinions on what you all think about this combo for pheasants. Here goes:

1 1/8 #5 in the IC bbl (or Mod)

1 1/8 #4 in the Mod bbl (or Full)

To be honest, I've been shooting shooting GP 1 1/8 #5 in both bbls, but may want to try the above combo.

What do you think?

All the best!!!

Greg

*Last edited by brdhnt on Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:46 am; edited 1 time in total*

Greg,

Start ducking and dodging, you have whacked a hornet's nest big time! Laughing

The only time I go to 4's is for late season birds. Even then, they are 'specialty' loads for specific late season conditions.

We just had this discussion in the thread on 1 1/8 vs. 1 1/4 loads.

Pattern density can run a little thin with 1 1/8 oz. of # 4's unless you are carefully handloading them. The few factory 4's I have checked have run a little on the light side for both pellet count and weight. I know that on my MEC charge bar, the 1 1/8 bar throws about 135 pellets that weigh just over an ounce. With a carefully adjusted Universal bar, I get about 151 pellets that weigh right at 1 1/8. While developing my nickel late season loads, I tried both 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 ounce and got much better patterns for both distribution and density with the extra 1/8 ounce of # 4's. That gave me 165 pellets which performed much better on the pattern board and in the field.

Having said this, I'll throw a real monkey wrench in with one of those ballistic anomalies. One of the best performing pheasant loads I have ever tested were made by Federal the first year they marketed their 'Pheasants Forever' loads. They were 12 gauge, 1 1/8 ounce of copper plated #4's at 1400 FPS. I used those on a January hunt in Kansas and took 13 roosters with 13 shots. Only after that hunt did I get chance to pattern them and they gave great patterns with good center cores at all ranges from 25-50 yards. I believe that they were a buffered load. The later 1 1/4 oz. loads at the same speed with the same pellet have not performed as well and have actually had fewer pellets in the center core.

IME

TMB
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Dilaudid Rehab Advice

Guest

Thanks for TMB for calling out Greg for stirring up the pot again... TMB mentioned the Pheasants Forever load was a buffered load but when you tried a similar reload with different results. I assuming that you did not go with the buffered material with your handload. If I going with a longer distance handload, I have used that material and have been very pleased. The only problem is significantly higher pressure but shouldn't be a problem if you're shooting a modern gun...

Take it easy...

I've found the best medicine after a pheasant hunt is a shot of JD Black Label (or some George Dickle if you can find it) with a bit of branch water--ice optional. A couple doses eases out the aching feet and kinks like nothing else. Wink

*Last edited by brdhnt on Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:46 am; edited 1 time in total*

Terry,

In my experience buffered handloads are not worth the pain of the assembly in the performance of the shell. I've never had a significant rise in pellet counts or density with buffering.

16gg - Well said! Very Happy

- Perhaps that is the secret - to 'buffer' with branch water Smile

TMB
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JUGALLETTE

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

As I said on the other board you asked this, I think you've got a good choice in what you are using. No need to change. Wink

Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 863 Location: NoDak

Hi all, I think you all are right, don't plan to switch - just curious

Thanks!!

Greg

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Member Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 230 Location: SW Idaho

chorizo,
I thought Idaho was more of a Wild Turkey area. Very Happy

Best,
Ron

Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 9

Amen brother. I lived for a time on the western slope of the Blue Ridge in what is known as the Spring Valley area of Southwestern Virginia along the New River. From there, on a clear day, we could look west into Tennesee. (If I can't make it to heaven, then the mountains of Grayson County will do.)

I discovered Geoge Dickle there and have never even considered another bourbon as truely drinkable since. Smooth as a baby's bottom. No bourbon bite to get past.

Virginia Gentleman makes a nice mixer, and JD Rare is almost very good with a tad of ice and some pure mountain spring water (Remember--Spring Valley. We had one piped right into the house. The water in July was so cold and clean it would hurt your teeth.) However GD will go down a sip at a time straight without molesting my tonsils a bit. Works for me.

PS: The local 'shine could be darned good if you knew who made it. Best stuff in PJ I ever had. Talk about rocket fuel. The stuff could rival Ever Clear. We'd often mix up a big bowl at a Saturday night party or a good old fiddler's convention to start the launch sequence. Wow!!! Wink