28 gauge pheasant reload shot size?

[fishslinger]

Going to be reloading a pheasant load for my 28 gauge. It will be a 7/8 oz load going around 1275 FPS. Basically trying to duplicate the Golden pheasant load. Thinking of going with number 5 shot for a little extra punch, but then thinking maybe 6’s to fill in the pattern a bit? What do the experienced 28ga users think?

 

[Potashminer]

Might want to look up John Barsness article on this exact topic - and he recommends #7 shot - not #6 or #7 1/2, but #7... like the British "gentlemen" use when popping their grouse and pheasants.

April 2008 Handloader Magazine "28 gauge! Small bore. Big performance"

 

[warzaw]

Copper plated #6 hard shot with mod , imp mod chokes for me in my 686.

 

[9.3 Hunter]

all I shoot now is 2.75 #6 steel shot - for grouse, pheasants, ducks

 

[Falconflyer]

I like copper plated #6's.

 

[straightshooter]

On pheasant and sharptail grouse, I shoot #5 in the right barrel (M) and #4 in the left barrel (F). For ruffed grouse (spruce, and blues), hungarians, etc., I use #7 in both barrels. Exclusively lead in the uplands.

 

[28 gauge]

Only ever bagged two pheasants and both were taken with number 6.For an all around shot size, in the 28 gauge, it is hard to beat lead number 6.Never tried number 7,but I have read that many have had good results with it in the 28 gauge.

 

[28 gauge]

all I shoot now is 2.75 #6 steel shot - for grouse, pheasants, ducks

Interesting.What brand of 28 gauge steel ammunition are you using?What ranges do you find you are having the best results at and what choke are you using?

Have a few boxes of 28 gauge Winchester steel,but have never tried them out.I believe only two of my 28 gauge guns are steel shot compatible

 

[brutforc]

Somebody read my mind...I was thinking of the same thing today. My O/U has tubes so I'll try Mod and IMP Mod withe #6.

 

[Tex Critter]

I use #6 shot, because I have a substantial quantity of them.

 

[sigarms226]

Both my wife and I use #6 Hevi-Shot for the task.

 

[stubblejumper]

#6 nickel plated shot works well.

 

[badgreenbird]

#6 in first barrel, #5 in second

 

[brybenn]

I use 7/8 oz copperplated #6 in my 12s for pheasant and never had a crippled bird yet. Be my first choice in any other gauge as well

 

[reddog]

Know some big time pheasant hunters in Kansas they use #7 shot exclusively .I use #6 but they claim 7 are the answer jmho.

 

[Westward1]

Know some big time pheasant hunters in Kansas they use #7 shot exclusively .I use #6 but they claim 7 are the answer jmho.

The 7’s would give more pattern density, but if the shot is on the long side, I would favour your 6’s.

 

[iron cat]

I use 7/8 oz of nickel plated 7's or 6's behind 30 grains of H110 with a BPI wad and Fiocchi hull.
I have also shot lots of them with 3/4 oz loads.
Most days I am using a 12 bore hammer double with 80 grains of FFG and 1oz of 6's
Cat