Pheasant Hunting question

**RugerNiner** · November 18th, 2008, 10:34 PM

I want to try and hunt Pheasant tomorrow and discovered I only have 3 inch magnum shells with #4 shot.
That means I have to use my Remington 1100 Magnum with 30" barrel and Full Choke.

I wanted to use my Remington Wing-Master with 28" barrel and Modified choke that only takes 2 3/4 shells.

So here's my question.
Should I shoot the 3" shells I have with the 1100 or spend the $18 for 2 3/4 shells and #6 shot?

**Lycanthrope** · November 18th, 2008, 10:37 PM

I'd just pick up some cheap 7.5's at Wal Mart and go shoot some. I've shot plenty with modified choke with those loads.

Or pay the $18. Full choke and 3" mags chew up pheasants.

Lycangoodshootinthrope

**Karl/PA** · November 18th, 2008, 10:37 PM

Spend the $18

**RugerNiner** · November 18th, 2008, 10:47 PM

I actually have a box of Remington Premier STS Light Target shells in 7 1/2. I guess I could use those. I forgot I even had them.

I was shell shocked when I saw the price of shells made for Pheasant.
If I had to buy some I was going to get #6 shot.

**padowser** · November 18th, 2008, 11:02 PM

I like #5 shot, 3", full choke for pheasants, but that's just me. I usually do pretty good. One place I hunt insists on low brass # 6 and I don't seem to do as well. I would use the 4s.

**cLion** · November 18th, 2008, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by RugerNiner

I actually have a box of Remington Premier STS Light Target shells in 7 1/2. I guess I could use those. I forgot I even had them.

I was shell shocked when I saw the price of shells made for Pheasant.
If I had to buy some I was going to get #6 shot.

Don't use the light target loads. pheasants are tough and run like hell if they aren't dead when they hit the ground.
use a #4 or #5 shot in a 2&3/4 out of your wingmaster w/ modified choke. you will be happier.

**BigMikeM31** · November 18th, 2008, 11:40 PM

Pick up some high quality 2 3/4 high brass 5 or 6's. I generally shoot the Federal Premium Wing Shok Pheasants Forever. Its REALLY good stuff. If you may be taking shots at birds flying away or shots at some distance, I think the extra pop from the high brass is required. I watched a guy shoot a nice cock bird last saturday with high brass 2 3/4 5's from 20 yards and even that didn't put the bird down. I doubt the bird would have even faltered in mid air had he been shooting low brass.

**Tomcat088** · November 19th, 2008, 12:29 AM

I personally prefer 6 shot for pheasants, although I will sometimes use 4. I've hunted plenty of pheasant with 7 1/2 shot. I don't like to use a full choke, unless I'm shooting an over and under and I'll keep one barrel on a full choke for the longer shots, and then the other as modified. I typically shoot modified. The big thing about shooting pheasants is jumping on them as quickly as you can, and hitting the head; you do that and they don't have a chance to run or anything else, they're DRT. I don't know what kind of pheasants ya'll have down there, but we have ring neck pheasants here, I focus on the ring, as long as I do that, I almost always make headshots. Either way, I wouldn't necessarily recommend shooting pheasants with a full choke shooting #4's, unless you let them get out there a ways, or are good enough to only hit them with half the pattern. Best of luck to you, and remember to follow through.

**Feddog82** · November 19th, 2008, 03:34 AM

Go to Dick's Sporting Goods. Winchester #5 2.75" are always like $12 or $13 there.

**birdhunter317** · November 19th, 2008, 09:17 AM

Ruger, I shoot an over and under with my first shot using an improved cyl then if i need it mt second barrel is modified, early season pheasant i'll shoot either fed wing shot,win high brass game loads or my persnal favorite fiocchi golden pheasant in 6 shot. late season i might start using the same brands of shells but jump up to 4 or 5 shot hope this helps. PS fiocchi shot shells go BOOM real nice max dram.