choosing ammo

[22x11]

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?

[finsfurfeathers]

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)?

[ninepointer]

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

[TPM]

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

Agreed.

[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.

[22x11]

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?

[ninepointer]

What choke would you recommend?

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.

[fishhawk]

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.

[22x11]

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

[finsfurfeathers]

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.

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.