Pheasant hunting

fatbastard

fatbastard

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Prince George, BC
Ok I have booked a Pheasant hunt for this year and need to know what gun or guns to bring. I have several 12 gauge and my buddy just bought a 20 gauge. He was told that a 20 was better for Pheasants than 12.
Can I us my 12's or should I get a 20 for this one time hunt?????

Help me out.

Don:shotgun:
 
Take your 12 and have a great trip. I've used both gauges for pheasant and the 20 is definitely not better. Bring the gun you shoot best and are most comfortable using.
 
What's with all the 20/12 gauge comparisons. In the mid range loads for both gauges you get get identical performance. The hole sizes makes no difference! Either will do the job just fine. Depending on the type of pheasants and the distances they'll be flushing, a 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 ounce load of #5s is ideal! Use a shotgun you point and swing well and forget about what gauge is stamped on the barrel!
 
I beg to differ with Sheephunter. The 20 gauge performs best with size 6 shot or smaller. Size 5 shot or larger is 12 gauge country. Finding a one and a quarter ounce 20 gauge load (in factory loads) is difficult. All in all, I would choose a 12 gauge for pheasant hunting.
 
16 ga sxs with light 6's in the open barrel and heavier loads of # 5's in the tighter barrel. A combo that can't be beaten. :)
 
Shootshellz said:
I beg to differ with Sheephunter. The 20 gauge performs best with size 6 shot or smaller. Size 5 shot or larger is 12 gauge country. Finding a one and a quarter ounce 20 gauge load (in factory loads) is difficult. All in all, I would choose a 12 gauge for pheasant hunting.
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Well I know many 20 gauge waterfowl hunters that would beg to differ. My 20 gauge patterns #2-#4 shot shot fine. Not sure why you think the 20 gauge is best linited to shot sizes #6 and less and why the 12 gauge works better with shot sizes over #5. You'd thing a whole lot of competative shooters would be using 20 guages if that were the case but last time I checked, that world was ruled by the 12 gauge.

My suggestion of the 1 1/4 ounce load was not in reference to the 20 gauge but in reference to the original poster's comment that he owned a 12 gauge.
 
I use an ounce of no 6 in a 12 but last year started to use a 28 bore with a dinky 18 or 21 gm load of no 6's. I shot the most birds out of our sydicate last year with that little number.
 
fatbastard said:
Ok I have booked a Pheasant hunt for this year and need to know what gun or guns to bring. I have several 12 gauge and my buddy just bought a 20 gauge. He was told that a 20 was better for Pheasants than 12.
Can I us my 12's or should I get a 20 for this one time hunt?????

Help me out.

Don:shotgun:
Click to expand...

I don't see any reason to move down a size. A pheasant can be a fairly hearty bird so 12 is quite apropriate. Maybe someone suggested 20ga since its easier to carry around all day
 
What kind of pheasant hunt? Wild birds or pen raised preserve birds? If you are hunting say Kansas wild birds that are hunted hard they get up a long way off a 12 ga with heavy loads #5 are best. If hunting pen raised planted birds 20 ga is plenty, you can get up close before they flush. That's been my experience
 
The 12 bore is my gun. I've only lost one pheasant before, and that was with a 20. It wasn't the guns fault, or even my shooting but my stupidity. I was using cheap 2 3/4" field loads. Had I used proper ammunition, that bird would have been supper. Unfortunatly, even though I know better the 12 has always given my absolute performance that is unquestionable. And because of that it is my pick, and only 1 shotgun in my safe is not a 12. However given proper ammunition, I know a guy who carry's a 28 and is perfectly happy. If you have a comfortable 12 that you shoot well, bring it. If you have a lighter weight 20 that you shoot well, consider that one as well.
 
I hate these 12 vs 20 debates. Everybody has their opinion, and both gauges work well. My own opinioniated opinion is that cold, windy day, late season pheasants take a lot of killing. There are times when you wish you had more, regardless of what you are shooting.
 
No problems with either 12 or 20.

High base 6's work great for both.

My favourite factory load was the Winchester Super X - "XX Magnum" load
for either 12 or 20, 2-3/4" with copper plated, buffered shot. Cold, wind, late season don't matter ... have also killed a pile of ditch parrots with standard 12gauge Heavy Trap loads of 7-1/2's.
 
pharaoh2 said:
Yup, but not on certain military bases I belive.
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No Pheasant hunting on any military bases in Alberta. There is a limited sharptail hunt on Wainwright where steel must be used but that's the only bird hunting permitted on any military bases in Alberta.
 
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