Preferred Upland Loads?

What’s the best shot size for everything but pheasant?

  • 4

    Votes: 1 1.8%
  • 5

    Votes: 7 12.5%
  • 6

    Votes: 30 53.6%
  • 7

    Votes: 6 10.7%
  • 7.5

    Votes: 12 21.4%
  • 8

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    56
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.
 
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.
 
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