20ga pheasant/chuckar load?

gixer

gixer

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Brantford Ontario.
Hi guys, I have just bought my first 20ga. BPS pump for an upcoming pheasant/chuckar hunt this fall. I was wondering what the best load to use, and also some input on choke selection too would be helpfull.

I'm thinking I'd be best to use IC or even SKEET?

We will be hunting on a game farm, with a guide and his pointer dogs.

Thanks.:D
 
I shoot 20 gauge for all my bird hunting,my shell of choice would be 1oz. load of 6 with a mod or ic choke depending on the wind condition
autumnbreezebrittanys.com
wildacregamefarm.com
thats my kennel and one of the farms I work and take people out for hunts,
 
Game farm! Fresh released birds? Good pointer! IC or skeet would be fine. One oz. of 5 or 6 would be a good start.
 
Preserve pheasants generally present close shooting. 1 ounce of #6 with an IC choke is usually more than enough.
 
Claybuster said:
Preserve pheasants generally present close shooting. 1 ounce of #6 with an IC choke is usually more than enough.
Click to expand...
X2
I use a 7/8oz load of 7 1/2 nickel and open chokes in my 28 gauges for all my upland hunting over dogs.

A 1 ounce load will be more than enough out of your 20 gauge with an IC choke, or a modified if you don't have an IC.
Just remember not to aim at the bird but swing with it and
ignore the barrel!:D
Cat
 
choke / shot selection

Since you are talking choke selection, you are telling us you have a barrel with choke tubes.

If I were hunting Pheasants, I would start with a Modified choke and one ounce loads of # 6 shot. After a half hour or so, if the birds are breaking close, then you could change to an Improved Cylinder choke tube. Skeet is a bit too open.

If hunting Chukkar, then I would use 7 1/2 shot, again in a one ounce load, and maybe start with Improved Cylinder and change if they are flushing wild.

Carrying an extra choke tube and a wrench is not much weight, but would give you much more flexibility.

I probably don't need to mention this, but I will. UNLOAD THE SHOTGUN BEFORE YOU CHANGE CHOKE TUBES.
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Out of a 20 ga. #4 is almost certain to pattern very poorly. #5 may pattern well if you are lucky, but most 20's won't handle it. #6 will kill any pheasant that is centred in the pattern to 40 yards. Game farm birds are seldom that far away. I shoot a lot of pheasant and chuckar while dog training and as a designated gunner at hunt tests. I have never had a need for larger than #6 shot. Improved cylinder choke would be my choice in your situation. Skeet may be OK, but works better out of a 12 ga. with its larger load of shot.
 
bdogg said:
I shoot 20 gauge for all my bird hunting,my shell of choice would be 1oz. load of 6 with a mod or ic choke depending on the wind condition
autumnbreezebrittanys.com
wildacregamefarm.com
thats my kennel and one of the farms I work and take people out for hunts,
Click to expand...

This is what we recommend for pheasants and chukars were I work. Some people like 7 1/2's for chukar, if you were using high antimony shot you might do well but you might also cripple the odd phesant.

Open chokes and 6's or 5's at the max. Alot of road hunters shoot 4's :stirthepot2: because their birds flush at long range.
 
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