pheasant shot size?

[James T.]

What shot size is the best for pheasant and chukar? I have used 7 1/2's
a couple of times and it has downed them just fine but on all the 7 1/2
boxes it says "Quail and Dove" and it says "Pheasant" on the 6 shot
boxes. Please help.

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[GMZIMM]

>What shot size is the best for pheasant and chukar?

I can't speak from expierence on the chuckars as they do not exist in my state
except on game farms and shooting preserves. But I have shot many a pheasant,
and seen many others fall. Alot of guys shoot pheasants with 7 1/2 shot and at
close range it seems to work fine. I personally don't shoot pheasants with 7
1/2's anymore. I shoot a 12Ga and my loads of choice are either 1 oz of #6's
or 1 1/4 oz of #5's. The #5's are really super loads on pheasants and have
enough knockdown power for any shot at a ringneck I'd care to take. The 1 oz
loads of #6's work very well at short ranges. The reason I use these 2 loads
is because of the balance of pellet size/weight/energy and pattern density.
There are about 225 #6 pellets in 1 oz and there are about 215 #5 pellets in 1
1/4 oz. For a bird the size of a pheasant, These loads give even patterns
without being too dense.

>on all the 7 1/2
>boxes it says "Quail and Dove" and it says "Pheasant" on the 6 shot
>boxes.

I like to avoid these "promotional loads". They have softer lead pellets, and
inferior wads and shot cups to cut costs. If you like 7 1/2 shot, then I would
recomend target loads intended for trap shooting. Most are loaded with 1 1/8
oz shot at 3 dr. eq. The lead shot in these loads are of a harder alloy and
they almost always have better wads/shot cups. This will give you better
patterns and deeper penetration on game. Target loads are not too expencive
either and since they are loaded to a slightly lower velocity, they kick less.
-Zimmy
GMZ...@aol.com

[e/r]

We always reload with 4's. Good knock down plus you can find most of
them easy when cleaning the bird.

James T. wrote:

> What shot size is the best for pheasant and chukar? I have used 7

> a couple of times and it has downed them just fine but on all the 7

> boxes it says "Quail and Dove" and it says "Pheasant" on the 6 shot

> boxes. Please help.