Grouse and Pheasant
- Thread starter Estano
- Start date
2 and 3/4" is all you need, 7.5 or 8s for grouse and 5 or 6 for pheasants. 1 or 1 and 1/8 ounce loads is all you need for grouse and rez phez, but true wild pheasants might need a 1 and 1/4 ounce load of nickle plated shot at extended ranges.
Grouse and Pheasant loads
I would agree with CRASHMAN. A standard 7 1/2 Target Load will do nicely on Grouse, and even Pheasants at close range. You can buy "Upland Game" loads that are usually number 6 shot. You do not really need a heavy load for most cases, but you might want to carry a box of 1 1/4 ounce loads in your vehicle, and if you are finding the birds are really flushing wild you can switch ammo easily.
The only thing I see is that you might be a bit tight choked for this shooting. Usually single shot shotguns are bored with a full choke, and a lot of upland game shooting is at closer ranges, so you might have to wait them out a bit or you will be eating Grouseburger.
I would agree with CRASHMAN. A standard 7 1/2 Target Load will do nicely on Grouse, and even Pheasants at close range. You can buy "Upland Game" loads that are usually number 6 shot. You do not really need a heavy load for most cases, but you might want to carry a box of 1 1/4 ounce loads in your vehicle, and if you are finding the birds are really flushing wild you can switch ammo easily.
The only thing I see is that you might be a bit tight choked for this shooting. Usually single shot shotguns are bored with a full choke, and a lot of upland game shooting is at closer ranges, so you might have to wait them out a bit or you will be eating Grouseburger.
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
I like #6 for all my upland hunting, except maybe wood ####.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Strange comment Oz. Very few PAL courses are going to go down to shot size and shell recommendations for two specific upland species. As a poster above said, this site is for asking questions and sharing information.
As for shells, 2 3/4" only. You actually want very light loads for upland, I see a 1oz load of 6 shot as perfect in 12 gauge. Actually, I use a 1oz load of steel 4 shot as I use non-toxic shot for everything, and with steel being slightly lighter, I up the shot size.
For standard shells, some of the best grouse shells you could buy with lead shot are Winchester AA's in the extra-lite 1oz load of 8 shot. For pheasant, I'd be saying 6 shot or bigger, but the same 1oz load, 1 1/8th oz at most (most pheasants probably fall to even less shot out of 20 gauges and 28 gauges).
Just a note on pheasant hunting, there's a good deal to it. Grouse are easy, but pheasant, at least where I'm from usually requires a bird dog and some travelling, plus a lot of time. It's is about the most fun you can have in the field, however.
- Location
- Peterborough
I agree with crashman's assessment. I shamefully have never hunted pheasant but for grouse i tend to use #8 shot and a skeet choke. Depending on where you hunt the birds will behave differently, in general northern birds usually let you get a little closer to them before they flush while southern birds tend to flush at further distances making imp. cylinder and #7.5 a better choice.
Thanks for the tips. This is an awesome forum.
My shotgun is a 28" with fixed modified choke. I'll try out those rounds suggested.
I'm currently training my bird dog, so thanks for the specific pheasant tips Ardent.
My shotgun is a 28" with fixed modified choke. I'll try out those rounds suggested.
I'm currently training my bird dog, so thanks for the specific pheasant tips Ardent.
Not arguing, jest sayin', I use 6's or sometimes even 4's on grouse for two reasons.
1, the heavier shot tends to get through leaves and twigs better than the light shot,which is important in the thick alders and such where I mostly hunt the ruffies.
2, heavier shot often makes a thru and thru transit so I don't have to chomp or swallow as much shot. And 2.a, it holds energy better when you get the longer opportunities.
Just what works for me. Don't want to start a fight over pattern density, pellet shock theory etc etc
. Good luck.
1, the heavier shot tends to get through leaves and twigs better than the light shot,which is important in the thick alders and such where I mostly hunt the ruffies.
2, heavier shot often makes a thru and thru transit so I don't have to chomp or swallow as much shot. And 2.a, it holds energy better when you get the longer opportunities.
Just what works for me. Don't want to start a fight over pattern density, pellet shock theory etc etc
. Good luck.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I find the same, as I upland with No. 4 shot (steel). Most seems to pass through, and it's the best shot I've used at "knocking down" birds in flight. Since range is usually tight (though I've made longer than 40 yarder shots with these same shells) the high speed of the steel probably has as much to do with pass throughs and knock down as anything.
2 years I hit a Pheasant going away from me at full tilt. Got him at 10-15 yds with 1 1/8 oz. 7 1/2 shot IC Choke. Feathers flew up in a perfect circular pattern. He kept flying like nothing had happened. I didn't even get a second shot off because I was in shock. My Dog looked at me as if to say WTF (he had a mouth like a truck driver). I had mistakenly packed 71/2's instead of 6's. Never again.
