Best Shotshells for Pheasants - 10 vs 12 vs 16 vs 20 vs 28 Gauge

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What are the best shotshells for pheasant hunting?
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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.
Produced by: @red11media
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[@woodylinder338]

I never hunted... the dog did. My job was to follow her and knock down what she put up. 28 ga skeet loads with 3/4 oz #6. Easy job since I was a skeet shooter, loaded my own, and could hit a target. On the rare occasion when I missed, the dog would watch it fly away and turn and look at me like I was stupid. I miss those days.

[@416loren]

I grew up in SoDak. You are right about South Dakota pheasants. My first pheasant was shot with a 410, 48 years ago. I'll never forget hunting pheasants with my dad, grandpa and uncles. My mom and sisters also liked hunting pheasants. Peasant hunting in South Dakota is magical. The corn stalks are golden. There is frost in the morning and warm sun in the afternoon. At the end of the day all the guys are in a circle cleaning birds. There were a lot of them. The 10 year old (me) is trying to imagine which is the one I shot. That kind of experience changes one. As a child I was taught and expected to be responsible with a gun. I was expected to be respectful in the company of men. You grow up differently than you do with video games.

[@guaporeturns9472]

So cringe 🤦‍♂️ My teen son has a ps4 and is at least as responsible , safe and respectful … respectful to all people around him as you. He’s also a state champ wrestler , captain of the football and wrestling team and an accomplished hunter and fisherman.. you got nothing on him, or his buddies… and to top it off he doesn’t come on comment sections and try to convince everyone how much better he is than the younger guys. You guy always try to make yourselves look better as if the year of your birth automatically makes you a better person. Our (yours and mine.. I’m 58) generation left a steaming pile of shit for our kids and grandkids to clean up… don’t ever forget that.. but it obviously make you feel good about yourself to constantly compliment yourself so by all means carry on.

[@brandenlikesbeer]

I bet your grandson who plays Call Of Duty is a better shot than you are ;-)

[@416loren]

@@brandenlikesbeerMy GrandDAUGHTER does. She doesn't play video games.

[@kennethbailey2616]

We have some fantastic pheasant hunting here in eastern Montana.

[@Drivapete]

16 ga, model 12 Winchester using Winchester Super X #6 shot with a full choke. I shot that combo for pheasant, ducks and geese. It's all that was needed!

[@robertlocke7711]

I'm a 16 gage fan. Got my grandfather's an always loved it. It does everything Goldilocks.

[@ryane6719]

Same, browning sweet 16

[@roboman3678]

Same I have my grandfather's 1100 16 gauge sweet shooting shotgun. It does everything I need it to, I also have his h&r 10 gauge and two 12 gauges.

[@turkeyman27534]

All of my small game hunting that I can use lead I think the 16 gauge is the way to go. Ducks and up I shoot a 12.

[@jasonsimone3523]

Me too! Light and handy, but just as effective on rabbits and pheasants as the 12.

[@liljimitwofeatherz9735]

Stevenson Springfield

[@travischapin886]

#5 lead always worked well for me with birds and squirrels and rabbits in a 12 gauge with a full choke.

[@grahamedwards9920]

From the other side of the pond I’ve gotta say I enjoy these reviews.

[@benjaminbagley4168]

I have my grandpas Winchester model 1897 16 gauge. Also have a Remington model 31 in 16 gauge. Both made in the 40s. Love them both.

[@dougmccoy1260]

I recently went to central oregon for pheasants and chuckers. Two of the four of us used 28ga over/under with 5 shot. Deadly. The 12 guys blew a few birds to mush. We were not handicapped at all.

[@jreed10291974]

I live in Arkansas and the only birds I hunt are dove and quail. We are limited to 3 shots, but it doesn't matter if its lead or steel. I did get a ticket for not having my plug in my gun and got a ticket for $500. I mostly squirrel and rabbit hunt. For 28 I use 7/8 oz #6 and 50 yards is an easy kill. For 20 it's the same load and same distance. With 12 I use 1 oz #6 at the same range If I have my 11-48 with 30-inch full choke barrel I would say 60 yards to 75 yards for squirrels. All guns I use a full choke, I'm Shure people are going to call me on them ranges but that's fine. I had a friend bet me $20 that I couldn't break a clay he sat out at 100 yards, I put one in the 11-48 and broke it.

[@220swift7]

I switched from the 12 to the 20 about 15 years ago, and absolutely love it. It's much more comfortable to carry the lighter shotgun. About half of the places I hunt require non tox shot, so I just switched over for all hunting. I've had wonderful results with Federal Black Cloud with flight control in #4 shot.

[@chevyon37s]

Try Boss shotshells bismuth out of the 20ga. It’ll make that black cloud look like a joke. I took my 20ga with 3” boss #5 duck hunting this year and it hits mallards like they ran into a brick wall.

[@Jim_Wilde]

Same to me had have 12GA shot through it 20K rounds and tied about weight and recoil. Switched to 20GA and I am happy, less powder and shot to reload, less box of ammo. But result the same. 12GA this is advertisement of ammo manufactures they do for Army 12GA and cheaper to sell and made it to usual hunters. And I believe they hate the others gauges :)

[@danielbowman4819]

My buddies and I use alot Fiocchi, and use either modified choke or Improved cylinder, here in Kansas. I used my Dads ol J.C Higgins 12 ga. pump with the ol Powr Pak choke system this fall. A lot of fun and a lot good memories with that gun!

[@shaunybonny688]

I’m not even a hunter but I do enjoy shooting and my 2A rights. Ron just reminds me of friendly neighbors from years past who were hunters and firearm enthusiasts, just good people and relaxing to listen to. Much appreciated.

[@jakeoutdoors9600]

My younger brother and I are fans of the 16 gauge. The sxs Fox is a great pheasant gun in the 16 ga. I we have lots of other shotguns in lots of different gauges but the 16 is a very good choice for pheasant. A plus is that the 16 gauge guns tend to be cheaper at gun shows because no one seems to really want them. Everyone wants a 20 or a 12.

[@cleveland2286]

I think you're right about that, I found a Stevens 16 GA. Western Field 30 in a pretty high flow gun shop that had been sitting on the shelf for 8 months, 300 bucks, its mine now. Went to another gun store asking if they had any 16 GA. shells, guy there told me to hang it up on my wall and get a 12 GA. I guess people just don't really want them.

[@liljimitwofeatherz9735]

Inherited my 16gauge single shot springfield stevens bought a another one 94c my dad's is 94b

[@NC-xk1eg]

A 16 is a wonderful cartridge but sadly overlooked.

[@greybone777]

As a kid in Northern Iowa I remember that many people used to carry a shotgun in the trunk for the numerous corn field pheasants.

[@marvinspencer3823]

Shot my first pheasant with a 20 gauge. I was about 15. Hunting rabbits with beagles. Thought my maker was coming when that roster took off. Not sure who was more confused me or that beagle. Billy was off to my right and he was packing a 16. I remember I was eating hard candy and it was the longest two seconds of my life trying to get that hammer back on that 20 gauge with wet fingers after digging around in my mouth on that rock candy. Great topic as always thanks.

[@philippefrater2000]

You know what? I'm French but you're the one guy that gave me the will to get my hunting permit... Maybe in a year or two... 🖖🏻🇫🇷😎🇫🇷😎🇫🇷🖖🏻

[@alexkitakis3917]

I’ve been enjoying a weatherby sa-08 in 28 gauge for lots of upland hunting. It’s also been the most easily available shotgun ammunition to pick up throughout the shortage

[@luvtahandload7692]

As usual, North Dakota gets short shrift when it comes to pheasants. That's ok, more for us then! 😃 The 28 ga punches way above its weight class. Have killed wild roosters dead in the air @ 50yds with mine. Also love the 16 ga. My Franchi Instinct SL weighs 5.8 lbs. Kills like a 12, carries like a 20. Thanks, Ron!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

I tried keeping ND a secret for you, Luvta.

[@jayscott1380]

Pheasant hunting is the apex upland hunting experience. I hunted both North and South Dakota this year, and it was awesome.

[@hillbillyscholar8126]

Wow this caused me to take a trip back in time through my mind. The family farms have all but disappeared where I live but in my younger years we had good bird hunting on the local farmland. I used my Ithaca M37 12 gauge with 1-1/4 oz of #6 shot for pheasant. I can't recall the last time I bagged a ringneck, it's been that long ago. I just never found the time to travel for bird hunting. Thanks for the trip down memory lane though. Have a Happy New Year all!

[@williamhall7349]

It certainly does make me sad too hear in my home state of Virginia Bob whites grew up with Bird dogs don't remember there never being one around

[@bigben9379]

#6 1 1/4 oz modified choke my favorite all around pheasant load-usually the green Remingtons Express but Federal or Super x are good too.

[@ryane6719]

What state are you in? I’m in western NY, we used to have endless fields of pheasants but now the fields are gone and it’s housing subdivisions as far as one can see 🙁

[@hillbillyscholar8126]

@@ryane6719 Very sad state of affairs. I knew some folks who used to hunt where you live. I grew up in the Catskills. Despite the terrain we had dairy farms and eggs farms for miles at one time. The silage corn fields were loaded with game birds and fur bearers. Mostly just a memory now. ;(

[@ryane6719]

@@hillbillyscholar8126 We’ve started getting Black bears again though.. and a few mountain lions on trail cams.

[@alumniduck]

Back in the day I used to hunt in the morning on the way to school. Get an hour or so in walking the local fields, speed to school, quick change in the parking lot, and barely make the first class by the bell. Looking back I had no idea how lucky I was to be able to experience that. Hunting pheasants solo was not easy but damned exciting when they took off near you. That is an experience you wont forget. 12g and 6 shot lead. Back then, lead was the only choice.

[@nicholasbarcomb2324]

Love my 16 and 28. I load #7 shot and it just crushes upland birds! 😉😉😉

[@williamgoldberg1]

Ron, thanks for such high quality information!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

My pleasure! Hope it helped.

[@Journeyman-Fixit]

I love watching all about shotguns and loads, etc... on KZbin. Please keep the videos coming, you are a great asset for the shooter/Hunter/Marksman/Sportsman! Great video Ron an happy new year! Liked and shared!

[@bigtruckbrad]

Right on Ron. One can certainly get a lot of work done with a 20gauge and a 7/8 oz load at 1200 -1250 fps! Quality shot and wad make it a lot easier. 😊

[@philliphill4763]

Clean fence rows ( lack of cover), chisel plowing before winter, and overuse of pesticide/herbicide, have eliminated gamebirds in The NUT-SO-GREAT STATE of ILLINOIS. Happy to see South Dakota has it together.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Yes, those things and overall "clean" farming. Disturbed ground. If it's growing a crop it's plowed or disced or chiseled or sprayed a few times each year. If it's hay it's cut and baled. By winter there is little or no cover. Rural Illinois looks like a more expansive suburb than any wild lands. Disturbed nesting grounds, naked wintering grounds. Bye bye.

[@dingo5208]

Don't forget that some places have restrictions on shot size. I know where I am, 71/2 is too small for upland game. The minimum allowed is 5 or 6. And now, it is true, some municipalities do not allow lead shot.

[@leeleland1183]

As a kid on the farm (in Iowa), I took a good many pheasants with a single shot .410. Then went bigtime and bought a Win. Model 12 in 16 ga.

[@decibellone696]

I love upland hunting, finally, you are giving me some love... I'm really not a fan of hiking a 300lbs elk around but, a delicious well-recipied phesant... now you're in my wheelhouse.

[@blainclatworthy5423]

I have hunted Ruffed Grouse in Central and Northern Ontario for decades. I preferred a 3" 20 gauge with #6 shot.

[@jamessotherden5909]

I used #5 shot here in Central NY. And you would almost have to step on them to get them in the air. Talk about being startled a bit. Have a happy new year.

[@johnkowlok3231]

Well, don’t know about you all, but I learned a lot here. Thanks, Ron. I think there is a lot to be said for non-toxic. Plus, that feeling of biting into a led 7 1/2 pellet is, well, problematic.

[@montanamountainmen6104]

I've killed Pheasants with everything from a muzzle loading 10 ga to 16 gauge. The best Pheasant gun is the one you shoot the best. I prefer the 16 gauge I always did for most upland hunting.

[@GG-jw8pt]

As a novice, this was very helpful. 16 bore owner from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 👍

[@threequarter4071]

Lol $3-$5 for TSS shells… more like $12-$15 each these days. Keep up the good work, I appreciate your wealth of knowledge and willingness to share it with others.

[@charlespayne1061]

Thx'z Ron for the video! I don't bird.hunt but 20 or so years ago I got 4 or 5 quail at one time with Peterbilt Gage! One oz shots nope more like 80000lbs shote that patterns like a slug lol

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Pretty expensive shotgun!

[@XLC-zd8dn]

Agree with you on carrying non-toxic. In Alberta we can still use lead for upland. But waterfowl is all non-toxic. So when I am walking areas for pheasant and grouse we are often in areas for small puddle ducks. If I am carrying lead, can’t shoot the ducks.

[@michelburgess4246]

Shot a lot of birds with 20 ga and 12 ga. You'll cripple more birds at longer ranges with the 20 ga and better have a dog that is good at tracking and retieving. I've gone completely to the 12 ga 5 shot all times 2 3/4" with copper plated shot. You'll cripple less and recover more. It's pheasant shooting in SD and pheasant hunting in ND.

[@JimmyDickens1]

I hit Platte, SD every year for pheasant opening weekend. Great hunting! And the Pheasants Forever banquet is outstanding.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

The Platte area is usually outstanding. I dated a gal whose dad had a big farm there and I almost married her just for the hunting!

[@JimmyDickens1]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors Is she still available!?!?! Just kidding. I’m happily married to a gal who becomes a virtual “widow” in the fall/winter due to football & hunting and doesn’t seem to mind.

[@berniebelcher2243]

Figure it out, the 16 gauge is loved by many, but few are made by manufacturers . The 12 and 20 gauge are mosr common . Even the cost perfect MAVERICK only is made in 12 and 20 gauge . I like the comments posted here ! ❤

[@landontruman3632]

I like a 20 ga. over/under with two different loads for closer range and for longer range. I load my own and use 1 oz of #5 shot thru a light modified choke for close and a 3" mag with 1 1/4 oz of #4 for longer shots. My best year ever which was 2009, I killed 28 pheasants with 30 rounds. I missed my first two shots then calmed down and did it right and went 28 straight all dead when my dog brought them to me. I had a wonderful yellow lab I had to put down in 2019. She was the best bird dog I've ever had or even seen. I miss my Bella a lot.

[@sdriza]

Sorry about your dog. Terrible loss when a good bird dog goes.

[@michaeldelrossi4487]

I always thought that #5 shot would be too big for a pheasant, but if that bird is flying away at 45 yards using a 20 gauge you'll need a shot load too knock him down! Thanks for the update information!

[@phild9813]

I think we could all do well to appreciate the 28 gauge more. Lightweight but still plenty of pellets to get the job done. I really want one, but finding ammo can be tricky and it seems to be more expensive when you do find it.

[@chevyon37s]

Luckily Boss shotshells is making their loads for the 28ga so there is a quality offering for hunting. And I’ve seen some 28 target ammo popping up for sale on MidwayUSA through this whole ammo crisis

[@jesusisalive3227]

I have not had any problem getting 28ga in my area. I have however had a case of steel #4 on order for months now.

[@mertonsilliker3686]

You make a difference, thanks and looking forward to 2022

[@helimad100]

A ban on lead is coming in the UK. Steel wounds game unless your shotgun can take 36g 4shot without destroying your barrel. Pellets like bullets work by flattening and dumping energy, steel doesn't flatten. Bismuth is fair, tungsten is fair. Heavy shot worked but they don't make now as it killed barrels. Lead has been used for years because it works.

[@scbane]

The best guage for hunting pheasants the last two seasons, are whatever guage you can find shells for. I have a Browning A5 Sweet 16, multiple 20 and 12 guages, and 3 .410's. 2020, there was zero shotshells available, only buck and slugs. Same in 2021, with the exception of 28 ga. So I bought a Beretta O/U 28 ga, and hunted quail and pheasant with a 28, because that is all I could find. Not a 28 guage fan, gotta say.

[@Weatherby406]

I grew up in the Dakotas during the peak of the pheasant prime and have shot well over 1000 roosters. I can assure you 12 gauge is the best. I usually use 3 inch 4 or 5 shot lead. Late season or hunting on WPA 3.5 inch 2 shot steel with an extended long range pattern master choke. On public land late season the birds are very jumpy.

[@mrsmith9079]

I'm sure it's effective, but it's overkill. The classic walked-up pheasant cartridge in England has traditionally been 1 ounce of 7.5 lead shot (2.4 mm), through a cylinder or improved cylinder choke. You would be amazed at how well this combination works.

[@Zc33zc33]

I did a guided pheasant hunt with 3 inch high brass 5 shot out of my workhorse Mossberg 500 and I was so beat up by the end of the day. Next time I’m taking my 20 gauge Bakail side by side with high brass 6 shot. I know it’s a Russian junk shotgun but the barrel are regulated perfectly somehow and I don’t cringe when if it gets some snow, rain, or mud on it. I like having that tighter choke on my second shot out if my left barrel and I like bit leaving a mess by losing shells in brush.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Rhodesia, another option is to just shoot a lighter load in your 12 ga. One-ounce from a 12 ga. kicks no more than 1 ounce from a 20 ga. if MV and gun weight are the same.

[@Oldhogleg]

I started out with 12ga O/U, but ended up on being a dedicated 28ga SxS. The SxS points more naturally for me because the barrels lay much lower in my support hand, and it doesn't get tiresome shooting 28ga all day the way it does with 12ga for me personally.

[@NC-xk1eg]

The 28 gauge is SO overlooked because it is such a great cartridge. Totally agree with you!

[@tablespoon1939]

Thanks, Ron

[@Modern_day_primitive]

I've used 20g successfully now for 32 years, very versatile from rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, turkey,deer you name it it will do it, I've shot .410 12g and 16g before but decided dont fix wont ain't broken

[@michaelprue9024]

I’ve hunted upland birds for well over 35 years now. I always started the season out with 2 3/4” #6 12 gauge loads, mid season, as the birds become “educated”, I’d switch over to loads called 4x6 12 gauge 2 3/4”, when I could find them that is, and id buy as many as I could afford when I did find em, they were a mixture of #4 and #6 shot, late season I switched to 3” #5s. Then, the copper plated loads became available. My favorites were Fiocchi copper plated lead #6 shot. I began using them all season long. With my Benelli 12 gauge Montefeltro, with a cylinder choke, it simply didn’t matter. The gun just patterned the best with that load and that choke. Early season 2 3:4” late season 3”, and those copper plated #6 shot sliced through them birds like butter. I’ve found exit wounds in some birds, and very little feathers in the wounds themselves. That copper plated shot sure was a game changer for me. Super deadly and worth the money. Sadly I lost my huntin partner, my old GSP Boo. Miss that ol boy immensely, and haven’t been able to find a dog like that since. I’ve been through 2 since he passed, Jack, who was 12 years old when he passed, and now ol Dott, who was supposed to be a hunter, but turned into mamas lap dog, spoiled as all get out, and refuses to hunt, especially when it’s cold and wet. The best time to go. She just will not do it. Damm. And here I am, 1 year older every year and having to honor the commitment I made when I bought her lol. I’ve NEVER turned my back on a dog I bought, and got rid of them when they didn’t turn out. I keep them because that’s the commitment we make when we make them a part of the fam. So keeping my fingers crossed the next one turns out because it’ll most likely be my last, I ain’t no “spring chicken” any more. Good luck out in the fields guys, sure wish I could go too haha

[@markkaff13]

My observations on shot shells is that proper choke tube selection and speed kills over which gauge or even to a certain degree shot size. But most importantly a dog that loves to hunt!

[@trudeauphobicmooseater7263]

Thanks Ron! Look forward to more on shotgun/shot shells. Me thinks ballistics for scatter guns has some complexities that need to be explored.

[@donaldmartin4980]

When I hunted fowl, I mostly used a 20 gauge, I took everything from quail and dove to giant specie Canadian geese with that gun. I never used shot bigger than size four birdshot, number fives seemed to be the sweet spot for waterfowl. That was in California back in the early seventies when life was good there. I left in 1990 and never regretted the move , I have hunted very little game birds since then…. None for the last 30 years or so.

[@CMeister28]

I'll throw my 2 cents in. I hunt public land, always do, never private. When I go on non-toxic properties, I use 3" 4 shot steel, when I am on CREP or WIAs, I use 2 3/4" 6 shot lead. I think the biggest thing that wasn't mentioned in this, is the shotgun you have. I have used my trusty 12 gauge 870 I got for my 12th bday. 30 years ago. Years of familiarity. Experiment, try different loads, what you do best with your muscle memory. Always love your videos Ron and knowledge. Thanks for all of that!

[@Wootangtw]

Thanks buddy… I’d like to go on a pheasant hunt some day before I get to old to walk…. Thanks again buddy….

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Go for it!

[@jesusisalive3227]

I have a .410 side by side, 16ga ithica model 37, several 12ga and an over under 28ga. I have not touched my other shotguns since getting my 28. I have killed several limits of geese and ducks with my 28. I absolutely love it!

[@LilOutdoorsmangoogleplus]

What loads are you using? Obviously availability of different loads is limited right now but biggest shot I can find is #5. I’d imagine you’d need bigger to drop geese with the payload of a 28ga.

[@jesusisalive3227]

@@LilOutdoorsmangoogleplus I'm using Hevi Steel, 5/8 oz. #4 shot going 1350fps I've had a case on order for over a year now so I'm having to use my 12ga this year. I'm going to pick up a 28ga reloader and start rolling my own. I would not have any problem using number 5 shot on geese. In fact that's what I would use if the hevi steel came in it. What loads are you finding with number 5 steel?

[@alienone6854]

My first duck gun was a SxS 16 gauge from gramps, he grew up on Lake Huron water fowling, it was choked full and full, this was great until I was 18 and the steel shot mandate came in for water fowl...would not put steel down those pipes, so I took it in and had it opened to skeet 1 and skeet 2, it became a lovely upland gun and still is to this day, some 40 years later.

[@taylorharbin3948]

My grandmother is from South Dakota and when my grandpa married her he fell head over heels for pheasant. He’s gone now but there is still a bird mounted in a beautiful case in the house.

[@garrettforchrist2700]

Looks like it'd be sweet to go pheasant hunting there! Maybe someday I'll have the opportunity!🇺🇲✝️🇺🇲

[@NC-xk1eg]

A great video - thank you!

[@chrismarshall4486]

When I was a kid we hunted pheasant every year. I always used a 20 gauge and never had a problem dropping anything. My dad and brother used 12 but I always wanted to try a 16. I think that would be nice. I’m older now but I came back from a hunting trip, went back to school and realized I had a pocket full of shotgun shells. Wasn’t a big deal back then but could you imagine if a kid came to school today with a pocket of shells. Boy someone is going to jail

[@robertakerson7186]

Mr. Spomer- I also use non-toxic shot almost all of the time; you never know when a duck may fly over! I stick with bismuth shot, since the harder non-toxics may cause damage to the older shotguns I use.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Yes, use what works for you, Robert, but know that barrel damage is largely over-stated. In all but a few old, classic double barrels, even the hardest steel loads should cause problems because plastic shot wads isolate shot from barrel. The remaining concern is bulging at the choke from large shot (#2 and larger) not squeezing down for easy passage. But heavy loads of chilled lead shot in tight chokes can cause barrel bulging, too.

[@stephenland9361]

There's not a lot of pheasant hunting in my neck of the woods (British Columbia). Next door in Alberta, well that's a different story. Over there, I'd say about 90% of those after pheasant are carrying a 12 gauge, loaded with number 6 shot. Personally, I go with an over and under. Despite the popularity of auto-loaders (even I have a couple), a bird as regal as a pheasant deserves a fitting gun. If I had a side-by-each (as my Newfoundland friend will say), I'd take that. I reload and my pheasant load (12 gauge) is 1 1/8 oz. of No. 6 shot in a Win AA trap wad, 2 3/4 dram equivalent of powder (my stash of Win 452 AA powder and no, you can't have any), in a 2 3/4 inch case (Win AA Trap Load ... what else?) , just like my trap load, except there I use No. 8 shot. Modified barrel first and then full if a second shot is necessary.

[@stevenkimber4735]

Ron is the best! I’ve been wanting a 16 gage. My dad a 1100 in 16ga & sold it for $300. Right out from under me :(

[@Imragnar1]

Man that sucks been pooking for one too! My dad sold his pre 64 mode 70 in 270 out from me too!

[@brentworls8509]

What little experience I have on Pheasants, my really old Model 12 16 gauge with full choke and plain, non-rib barrel, just hammers them. It's pitted from decades of storage neglect, but it's a bird hammer.

[@wallace416]

Ron - Would you do an episode on shot options for older guns that cannot use steel? That would be great.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

That's easy, Adam. Bismuth. And light loads if you want to be extra cautious. Steel damages old/weak barrels because heavy charges of large shot sizes don't squeeze down easily at choke constrictions. Like two people shoulder to shoulder trying to squeeze through a door. Smaller pellets more easily shift fore and aft to reduce the charge column diameter. Barrels bulge at the start of the choke. Some doubles separate at the solder joint. Wall scouring isn't a problem with modern, heavy protective shot cups.

[@jti2007]

Kansas pheasant season is open thru January 31 with a bag limit of four male birds. Possession limit is 16 birds. Recent changes in agricultural practices have limited the number of birds in my area of south central Kansas. As a young man hunting pheasants opening weekend was a big deal much like Pennsylvania’s deer season opening days. Every local business such as Coops and hardware stores carried several boxes of ammo for the hunters that ran out of shot shells. Many communities had hunters breakfasts as a fund raiser for local charities. Motel rooms were sold out a year in advance in prime pheasant areas. The state universities even recognized that attendance at home football games was reduced on opening Saturday. Lifelong relationships were formed by the the interaction between landowners and hunters. My go to load was #6 shot in a 12 gauge for the first weeks of the season due to the birds not being gun shy and the occasional covey of quail we might run into. After the birds had been hunted some I’d switch to #4 shot since the birds tended to flush at greater distances. I never had a bird dog so finding down birds became an art and clean kills were necessary. Pheasants would rather run than fly at times so we would use blockers much like a deer drive. Alternating the pace we’d walk thru cover helped to confuse the birds and they’d flush within gun range. The best part of pheasant hunting was my mom made a delicious barbecued baked pheasant dinner for my hunting friends to celebrate another successful season.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Just like in SD where I grew up, Bruce. What a wonderful rural tradition. Thanks for sharing.

[@waylonlegend4603]

Pennsylvania deer season!

[@leland2h144]

Great info an vid. My boy an I recently we’ll back in September got a GSP goes for training in March so we got the #1 piece of the puzzle but you said 16ga I recently dove in to 16ga I bought a slick old bolt 16 for just tinkering around in woods for squirrels, rabbits, crows etc I liked it so much I wanted a 16ga bird gun I found an old Ithaca 37 16ga with solid rubbed barrel an mod choke an it’s beat my 20ga bps upland special out of primary bird gun. Have a happy new year 👍🏼

[@ktkawaguchi]

For reloaders out there, dont forget that an increase in velocity can bring you back down in steel pellet size. In my gun/chokes 1700 fps doesnt blow out the pattern and is quite effective. 1700 fps with 13/16 oz in a weighty 12g doesnt kick at all.

[@msa4548]

I'd like to hunt pheasants, but where I live I've seen 3-4 in 40 years. Grouse aren't much better 8-10 in the same time. Might be worth a weekend trip to South Dakota for birds.

[@benparry5318]

I would argue that the greatest shotgun shell available today are the Kent Tungsten-Matrix shells. Several years ago I bought a case of them (had I known how good they were and what the price would do I would have bought a skid!) For my dad so that he could get his old F/F choked Model 21 back into the field. I don't think that he ever hunted waterfowl before he passed. Several years later I took a friend out to Saskatchewan to the farm to hunt geese, as he had never been west of Toronto. On a few days I took dad's old 21 out and used those Kent shells. The only way to describe them was "time machine". Birds folded hard, and at distances I hadn't seen since I was a kid. My buddy couldn't believe it and I actually dropped a nice snow goose that nearly hit the bale he was hiding behind! So for my money, the Tungsten-Matrix shells are the best because of the increased lethality and the shootability in vintage guns. And let's face it, vintage guns are half of what make this so much fun!

[@okiedean1112]

Hey Ron Happy New Year, It's been years ago my uncle used to grow rice in central valley, Ca, across the street was a pheasant club, planted, and feral birds we wasn't flushing up any birds, I pointed to to the neighbors willow tree across the fence and you guessed it about 20+ birds standing around looking at us with safety in there eyes, I laughed good times.

[@kentuckybackwoods7114]

Squirrel, dove, rabbit, grouse, and bobwhite, I'm a firm believer in 12 gauge Remington Express 2 and 3/4 high brass 6 shot. Kentucky doesnt offer much opportunity to hunt pheasant, (outside of released farm fowl) so I have no experience in hunting them. But I would wager that shell configuration would do the job. Winchester super x, PMC, Kent, Estate, NSI, Fiocchi, Federal, and so on, all work great in the same load too, but the Remington patterns the best in wingmaster and 311 Steven's and is usually widely available. Some shell snobs turn their nose up at those "cheap" shells but they're usually the same assholes that act like you cant kill a turkey unless you have a $1500 shotgun.

[@404nitro]

Happy New Year!! Excellent video Ron!I am so glad you mentioned the power misconceptions most guys have about shotgun gauges. I have had those same debates several times with guys that really believe because a 12 is bigger than my 28 it must hit harder.As you said, yes and no. Same energy per pellet, but more pellets in the load would equal more energy in a bigger shell, but only if more of the pellets are landing than are from the smaller gauge. I am a huge 28 fan even tough I own 20, 16 and 12 gauge guns as well. Personally I have found much faster and more sure kills with 5's in my 28's than with 6's or 7.5's, but as I said, that's my personal experience. I use a couple different loads that have one ounce of shot in them so still enough 5's for a good pattern.Looking forwards to your videos upcoming on shotshells.

[@Echowhiskeyone]

I have used 10, 12, 16, 20 and .410. 20 ga. is sufficient for anything short of turkey and water fowl. And I have taken turkey and duck with 20 ga. My go to is an old model 12 in 16 ga. Harder to find 16 ga. shells. 12 ga. will do for anything, but can be overkill for small game. But whatever works best for you is what you use.

[@chevyon37s]

20ga makes for a fantastic turkey and waterfowl load, all though due to pattern densities/ pellet count you’ll want to keep shooting ranges a little closer. I shot my biggest turkey with a 20ga a few years ago. Shot a limit of ducks this season with my 20ga and my little brother almost exclusively shoots 20ga for ducks. And we have bagged well over 100 ducks this year. And a lot of big ducks like mallards and gadwall, not just small teal. I will say that steel loads for waterfowl out of a 20ga aren’t great, but we’ve been using Boss the past 2 seasons with great success. And using the tungsten Boss loads for turkey. With the Boss 3” 20ga #5 it’s got 1 1/8oz of shot which is the same payload weight as nearly all 2 3/4” and many 3” 12ga steel load offerings. So you’re getting identical performance between the two gauges given the 20ga is choked appropriately to throw an even pattern.

[@keithhagler502]

I'm fortunate to have a hunting club down the road from my land. Occasionally their pheasants get loose and migrate to mine. I just use a 12-bore. I've used all of them except a 10 and 28, and it's just apples oranges. Choke is the most important factor. However, these here are so 'tame' so to speak, being for the hunting club city folk that fly in here, that one would do well on them with even a cylinder bore. That is why I don't hunt them anymore, as it's just not quite the same, but I do take one every now and then for the table.

[@jasonf.4107]

Another great video. Thanks Ron. :-)

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Very welcome

[@BigNir0]

Great video Ron, while i'd love to go on a Pheasent hunt, I'll be honest, i've never seen one here in the german woods. Though interestingly i just checked the hunting times, and male pheasents are open for three and a half month in my state, though you can't shoot something that doesnt exist. I may get a shotgun next year, though just for clay shooting, since 99% of hunting is done here with a rifle.

[@seanomeirs8362]

I just saw a pheasant in my suburban backyard, a couple of days ago, here in southern California. I took a picture with my cellphone, and later identified it as a ring necked pheasant. I think that they are doing better, as the raccoons, and possums are beginning to diminish. My girlfriends parents are from Hamburg and Frankfurt, so I tease her that she is half Hamburger and half Frankfurter.

[@wallacerose7499]

16 ga double l/C & l/M # 5 shot all season patterns the Best! If you’re killing pheasants at 40 yds you’re hitting them in the head with a 28 ga not recommended ! If your retrieving shot birds your breaking legs or killing them before they hit the ground

[@perhaglind7142]

I wish you Ron Spomer a happy new year greetings from Sweden 🎆🥳🧨🎇🇺🇲🎗️🇸🇪🙋🏼‍♂️

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Happy new year!

[@jimmiefarris4218]

Thanks Ron, good information. 👍

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

You are very welcome

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

Great video as always.... I hope you will dive into the 28 gauge on some of your future videos

[@DavidJones-xl4iz]

It would be interesting to see what you find not only pattern wise but maybe length of shot stream between bore sizes and shot Charge weight and size

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Thanks Ron. I just bought a beautiful o/u 20 guage.👍

[@jayscott1380]

TSS Black Cloud is by far the best non toxic load.

[@boba9253]

Another great video Ron, thank you!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@boba9253]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors I've been a little stumped with finding nontoxic upland loads, so really appreciate the introduction and look forward to further discussions on the topic!

[@johncalliope197]

If I had three wishes..... A day in the field with Ron A day in the woods with Ron A day at the range with Ron

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Careful what you wish for, John!

[@sha6mm]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors I think there should be a annual hunt with you Ron just sell raffle tickets. Then mix it up for what is hunted every year. TC and Happy New Year.

[@csjrogerson2377]

Hi Ron, I was back in the UK last November (family bereavement) and went on a small pheasant shoot in Wiltshire where I used to be a beater as a kid (50 yrs ago). Then, as now, everybody uses 12 ga. I've probably seen 2 16 gauges in the entire time, both used by ladies. Everybody uses lead 6 shot but are going to steel 5 shot where lead is being phased out. Shot weight invariably 1.25 oz in 2.5 in or 2.75 in chambers. Everybody using under/overs, hardly see a side-by-side anymore. Had a great day - 48 birds including 6 partridge and some really high birds across the valleys. Not bad as it was the first shoot of the season.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Those driven hunts really teach one how to shoot! I'm a bit surprised they find #5 steel pellets adequate beyond about 35 yards.

[@nwmacguy]

Hull Cartridge Company put out a recent vid of a shoot in Yorkshire where Ed Solomons was testing and preferring their Fe#3 34g High Pheasant Extreme Mag load with the dissolvable Hydrowad. Handled the longer shots no problem.

[@mikes1097]

Great discussion Ron - Happy New Year

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Same to you!

[@cpprcrk1833]

Back in the 80's , there was a gun writer who really knew his stuff on shot-shell ballistics ( this was before steel shot was mandatory for waterfowl , I think) and what I know on the subject is from his writings . Don Zutz was his name and he was the shooting editor at Fur-Fish and Game , he was one of my favorites .

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Mr. Zutz was a 20-gauge aficionado and did indeed know his shotshell ballistics.

[@DanielBoone337]

Yeah man that tungsten is hard on the pocketbook... That said the Federal TSS shells are like lightning and will reach out and touch them far birds. Only thing I shoot those at is turkeys everything else I shoot steel or lead. Only birds we have to hunt down here in Louisiana is waterfowl, turkeys, dove, quail, and woodcock. I've never been pheasant hunting before but it's definitely on my to do list at some point. Only problem is every time I travel to hunt it's to go chase moose, elk, and mule deer. I need to set aside a year in the future to go make a some of these upland bird and waterfowl hunts I've always wanted to do. Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Moose and elk hunts are an acceptable excuse for missing a pheasant hunt. Ideally you'll find time for both. When kids, we hunted ducks at dawn, switched to pheasants at 10 AM (opening hour,) then bow hunted whitetails or stalked fox squirrels in the evening. Full day action.

[@DanielBoone337]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors That sounds awesome man.. I try to set aside enough money and time off of work every year for a couple of week long hunting trips up north because living down in SW Louisiana I've got a good drive or flight to get anywheres with moose, elk, and mule deer or even to go chase the monster white tails yall have up north. Fortunately I have family in Alaska and Colorado so I can kill 2 birds with 1 stone... I get to hunt moose and elk and I get to spend about a week in the woods with family that I grew up hunting with since we were kids so it's a win win. Crazy enough though up until a couple years ago they use to have a big tower in the center of a big field by where I live now that the old timers would go "hunt" pheasant. I use the word hunt very loosely because it involved a guy in the tower releasing pheasant and the old timers surrounding the tower shooting them. LOL Ive never seen it done just heard the stories and the only reason I believe it is because I've actually jumped a couple of the ones that made it hunting the woods near that tower and know of a few other people jumping them as well. They're such a cool looking bird and just the couple I've jumped in the woods is what's made me want to go hunt them. Happy New Year to you and your family!!!

[@alexberanjia2049]

Another informative video 👍🏽

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Appreciate it!

[@DanielMann-gq8fi]

A lot of people think a larger gauge equals more power, when that’s not necessarily the case. Biggest difference between a 12 and 20 for example is how much shot you can fit in the hull. It drives me crazy. 20 can be loaded heavy and a 12 can be loaded as light as a 410. If the load is moving the same velocity, they’re basically equal.

[@michaeljohnston7050]

A lot of pheasant hunting is done in waterfowl production type areas where steel shot is required. One great benefit with steel is you don't pull feathers into the meat. And at normal bird distances steel works great. More pellets, faster speeds. Don't overlook steel!

[@Weatherby406]

Agree lead is great but I usually shoot kent 2 shot steel so I don’t have to switch constantly.. 3 inch or 3.5 inch late season.

[@mikewhite8490]

My Dad use to take me out to Tulare County Pheasant Hunting here in CA. back in the early 60tys and we would get 4 or 5 back then.

[@epicpwnage98]

Hey Ron great video! 👍 haven't bird hunted with a shotgun yet but I use a 10gauge for coyote and I see awesome results with it, recoil isn't too bad when ya got a 11lbs gun but at the same you are carrying an 11 pound gun haha

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

We usually walk 5 to as many as 12 miles per day when pheasant hunting, so 11-pound guns are not popular! These days 12 miles don't happen, but Brad and I did crunch out 7 miles one day last Nov. for our 6 birds.

[@markkilburn112]

Excellent, rapidly paced and informative video. I just picked up a very similar gun. I noticed that you called out the powder charge in ounces. I usually use grains ( volumetric ) from a black powder measuring tool. Looking forward to shooting my "new" firearm.