12 Ga 2 3/4" #7 1/2 Shot For Upland Birds

N

neos

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As the title says. Upland is starting in a couple of weeks, and I have some #7 1/2 12Ga shot here that was purchased a while ago. I will be upland hunting by foot, no dog or quad. Will this load be alright, as I would hate to just shelve it and buy more. Thanks in advance.
 
You're fine for grouse and rabbits. I don't have experience with pheasant so can't comment.
 
I have used 7.5 shot lots of times, and it works great, but I find that the smaller shot can (not always, but can) be more likely to get hung up in the meat. I prefer to use 6 shot (or sometimes even 4 shot if I am mostly hunting rabbits), so that each pellet has a bit more momentum and more passes through. It's more of an issue with rabbits than grouse, and using a higher speed load can help as well.

You don't need to run out and get new shells right now, but something to keep in mind next time you buy some.
 
You're probably better off practicing your wingshooting skills than being concerned about shot size. Time to hit the local trap or skeet range, it'll make a big difference.
 
Use that 7.5 at the trap range and then go buy a case of #6 shot. Not sure where you are but in my MU upland started a month ago! #6 will give you a little more range with a little more.velocity at that 30 yard mark. If you are shooting from a road who cares, but if you are hunting on foot like God intended then you may want some heavier shot to make it through the thickets and brambles etc.
 
2 3/4" #7.5 has pretty much been the standard grouse load for decades... no need for new shells... I have killed truck loads of heavy sharpies and pheasant with light 7.5's... you just have to be on target. What are you shooting? How are you hunting? You mentioned spruce grouse, so it is likely that you are just road swatting, if that is the case, shot size is irrelevant.
 
I too hunt upland game aggressively - sharptails, Huns and pheasants - on foot without a dog. And, for decades used No 7, No 6's and 4's. However, over the last few years we have noticed that the birds are flushing at greater distances than in the past. we have found ourselves shifting to larger size shot in order to get the extra range and punch. No. 2's carry up well and have become our favorite.
 
Might want a good heavy field load of 5 or 6 lead for later season sharptail but ruff aren't that tough.... IMO if I had only one shot size to choose from I would shoot 7 1/2 for everything. Back in the day my dad would use 7 1/2 on everything including mallards and such over deeks. Shot Canuck 5 heavy on big "Northerns" though. Remember pattern kills...not power...
 
Wilbur1005 said:
I too hunt upland game aggressively - sharptails, Huns and pheasants - on foot without a dog. And, for decades used No 7, No 6's and 4's. However, over the last few years we have noticed that the birds are flushing at greater distances than in the past. we have found ourselves shifting to larger size shot in order to get the extra range and punch. No. 2's carry up well and have become our favorite.
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I have killed enough sharptails at 40-50 yards with #7-1/2, and enough pheasants with #6, that I wouldn't even bother with anything larger. #2 works well for 13-14lb geese, and is way larger than required on upland birds.
 
Wilbur1005 said:
I too hunt upland game aggressively - sharptails, Huns and pheasants - on foot without a dog. And, for decades used No 7, No 6's and 4's. However, over the last few years we have noticed that the birds are flushing at greater distances than in the past. we have found ourselves shifting to larger size shot in order to get the extra range and punch. No. 2's carry up well and have become our favorite.
Click to expand...

I never knew that the Elm trees where so thick in that part of the country.
Sheesh, #2's that's just a tad overkill.
But, I have been known to used lead #4's in a pinch for chickens.
Rob
 
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