choosing ammo

im in need of some opinions (what a can of worms this is going to open) haha.

i hope to go rabbit/pheasant hunting this fall and am trying to decide what shells to use.

12ga 2 3/4" say 1 1/8oz of #5s
20ga 3" 7/8oz #4s steel
20ga 2 3/4" 1oz #6s

i would prefer to carry my 20ga due to it being so light but i like the idea of possibly shooting a bit further with more knockdown power of my 12ga.

thoughts?

going to need a bit more info.
hunting wild pheasants or pen raised?
hunting with a dog or not?
flusher or pointer?
cottontails or European hare(jacks)?

For cottontails and game farm pheasants, your 20 ga and an ounce of No. 6's is as perfect as it gets.

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Originally Posted by ninepointer

For cottontails and game farm pheasants, your 20 ga and an ounce of No. 6's is as perfect as it gets.

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Agreed.

Not huntiing with a dog. The birds themselves are the ones they release at hullett so i guess they wouldd be classed as pen raised. As far as the rabbits go cottontails would be the main focus but i m not passing up a shot at a jack.

I can shoot both guns as good as one another. Was busting clays lastnight with both and with the 20 tonight at about 25-30yd with 7.5s with a modified choke. What choke would you recommend?

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Originally Posted by 22x11

What choke would you recommend?

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Sounds like you're using a single barrel. Improved Cylinder would be my go to choke for either species.

My main gun for cottontails, snowshoes, woodcock and northern grouse is a choked cyl/cyl. But for farm pheasants and southern grouse I carry a cyl/mod.

20ga 2 3/4" 1oz #6

This would be a excellent choice for what you want to use it for. Enjoy the season is doesn't last long.

ok thanks, it just so happens i have a nearly full box of 1oz 6s lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 22x11

Not huntiing with a dog. The birds themselves are the ones they release at hullett so i guess they wouldd be classed as pen raised. As far as the rabbits go cottontails would be the main focus but i m not passing up a shot at a jack.

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When I go to Hullet my belt contains light 71/2 & 6's Heavier #5 and #4's with a couple 0f #2's in the truck have some steel 6's available. The gun I carry is a 12 with improved cylinder choke.. Why...... I hunt with a pointer so my shots are close the small light shot is when cottontails and woodcock are suspected. Walking the fence rows where pheasants are a probability will have me loading the heavier 5/4. The #2 is for the odd occurance of a Jack. If I see doves in the fields nice to have some steel available.