Preferred Upland Loads?

[NoWiser]

That Federal 2-3/4” 1-1/4 oz #5 copper plated lead going out of a 12 gauge at 1500 fps is the most deadly load (for me) I’ve ever used for pheasants. I’m not a good shot but, with those, I don’t miss too often.

I like a good, higher velocity 7.5 shot out of my 20 gauge for ruffed grouse and woodcock. I miss those birds, especially grouse, very often.

 

[MNHunter67]

I’ve been shooting non-tox exclusively for a few years now and I’ve had good luck with steel 7s on ruffs/blues/spruceys in the mountains. Bismuth 4s or 5s for pheasants. With the trouble in getting bismuth lately, I might have to go back to steel for pheasants since I often hunt in areas where jump shooting ducks is an option.