size shot depends on circumstances.. 4s-5s for body shots when you cant have them run at long distance and cold weather , 7s could work fine for wing shots when you have a dog chasing them down.. 6s is probably best all around pheaasant shot. it was used by everyone 40 years ago when i was a kid.. 6s is used for turkey becouse you need a head shot to stop them instantly but they are using heavy loads..and head is exposed.. so depends on your hunting places and dogs ability.. id tend to go with 6s becouse you will reach some vitals with a butt shot at that velocity up to 30 yards or maybe little more..and its an average size for pheasants.. 7s will increase wing hits, but wing bones are tiney..at your range and velocity and small payload trial and error will be the best solution.. we should remember that 7s will spread faster in cold weather.. all this also depends on what choke your using, time of year, plumage, bird size and your skill,speed of mounting and shooting, and if they are getting up ahead of you.. i think it would be hard to beat 6s, the better quality, the better.. i use nickel plated, 1 1/4 0z 5s, 5 1/2s, 6s, (4 bismuth for ducks) but they are in a 16 gauge flintlock which is much lower velocity. but knickle plated dont seem to be as round as as magnum shot.. magnum leads up in smooth bore without cups... each shot will be perfect with a certain choke, and shot size, but we cant control that.. you have to pick an average for your area,bird etc.. i feel you should get the close ones well..and i load for them. i feel if i get most of the close ones ill have a good day.. the long ones are good for the ego, with tight chokes some guys let the bird get out further tho, and this works well for them.... pheasants are easiest to hit when they start off tho for me,, becouse they start twisting into the wind after they start getting speed, and after shooting clays all summer its tough to lead in curved manner.. so enough rambling on chrismas eve... and my opinion only.. dave.
