Author Topic: Prefered shotgun loads for different game??? (Read 7818 times)

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **on:** September 17, 2009, 02:46:51 PM »

Things seem pretty slow on our upland site. While driving home from deer hunting, I was thinking about hunting, what else. I wondered what are the favorite shotgun loads today for various game. We often just mention a shot size, but there is more to shotgun loads than that.
For example for my 12 ga. and :
Sage grouse the prefered load is the old 3 1/4-1 1/4 -4's.
Blue grouse the prefered load is 3- 1/8-7 1/2's.
Doves the prefered load is 3-1 1/8-8's
Ringnecks the prefered load is 3 1/4-1 1/4 - 5's with 4's next.
Desert quail the prefered load is 3 1/4-1 1/4-7 1/2's with 3- 1 1/8-7 1/2's a second.
Huns and chukar the prefered load is 3 1/4-1 1/4- 6's.
These old field loads of 3 1/4 - 1 1/4 - different shot sizes is a difficult one to find, but very pleasant and very deadly in the field.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2009, 06:14:36 PM »

Ouch my shoulder won't take that stuff anymore. Iffen I can't get it done with a 20 gauge 11-87 I reckon it don't need done. I started off using one ounce in a 12 gauge J. C. Higgins pump as a boy and did OK. I reckon an ounce in that 20 should get most jobs done. I like #7-1/2 for most but am willing to go to #6 iffen needed.

The old shoulder jist don't want more than that anymore but of course the gun can take up to an ounce and a quarter but I doubt the shoulder can.

Maritime Storm · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2009, 03:03:41 AM »

My pet reload for Grouse, Varying Hare and Clay in my 12 gauges is 1Oz of 7 1/2 or 6 leaving the barrel at 1290fps.

ctrout · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2009, 06:42:23 AM »

I have had great success with the 3" #2 steel shot Expert loads at 1550 fps in 12 ga for pass shooting mallards and pheasant hunting. I don't remember the shot charge but I think it's 1 1/4 oz. Reason I use this load is because there are frequent opportunities on mallards while pheasant hunting where I hunt and this load is equally effective on both birds. I have used a Beretta 391 in the past so recoil has never been an issue. This year I am shooting an O/U with a pneumatic recoil system installed so I think that recoil still shouldn't be a problem. I read about an experiment in the upper midwest using various sized steel shot on pheasants and the results supported #2 as the most effective. I agree.

As for other game, I use as follows.

Quail & Dove-20ga 7/8 oz 2 3/4" #8 in the first barrel mod choke, #7.5 second barrel IM choke.
Forest Grouse, Chuckar & Hungarian partridge-12 ga #6 high brass Federals 2 3/4" IC & Mod.
Pigeons during dog training sessions-Remington 100 pack #7.5 from Wally World.

I try to keep things relatively simple. I will be looking for some good 20 ga loads for all of my upland game hunting just because I want to try the 20 for a while.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2009, 11:54:39 AM »

Keep your shots to realistic ranges and use the correct shot size for game being hunted and the 20 is plenty of gun for upland hunting. Ya just gotta point it properly to place that load on the bird not off out in the air where the bird is not and it works nicely.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2009, 01:49:43 PM »

12 ga - Dove, Quail, Chukar, Ruffed grouse &huns = 1 1/8 oz 1200 - 1250FPS 7.5 I like how the larger shot goes through the dove and other birds
Pheasants home load 1 1/4 oz 1300 FPS of 7's (Yes lead 7 shot great stuff.) I can not get the heavy 5's to pattern well for me and break birds at the annie oakley or other pot shoots.
20ga- Dove, Quail ...... = 7/8 oz 1175 fps 7.5's
Huns &Pheasants = 7/8 or 1 oz 7's (depending what else could be at the end of the hedge rows)
410ga upland dove and quail are 1/2 oz #9's Not a big fan of the 9's but they shoot well in the little SXS. And with the rolling hills of CA the light little gun is fun to walk with and two boxes of ammo are easy to carry and allow me to carry an extra H20 or two for the same weight as my 12ga and ammo.
and while I have a 10ga it is a little too heavy to drag out for upland bird. But have a boz of 2 7/8" shells with 1 1/4oz #5's if we see Pheasants on the way to or from a duck / goose blind. They live in the truck. Or for Turkey if I get the Chance with the 10ga SXS.

spruce · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2009, 03:48:44 PM »

20 gauge O/U, skeet 1 and I.C. chokes

Grouse - 1oz #6 "low brass"
Woodcock - 7/8oz #7 1/2

Those 12 gauge guns and ammo are just too heavy for an old guy to carry around all day!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2009, 11:46:01 AM »

Graybeard, I guess I have used my 12's so long I have much faith in them. I have several 20's and a 28.

I have made some good shots with the little 28 on sage grouse. I do not find the 3 1/4 dram 1 1/4 oz. load in the 12 a hard kicking load, certainly not like heavy duck loads. The 3dram 1 1/8 oz load is even less recoil. I like them both for dove and desert quail. I have tried using my 20 with 1 oz. loads on sage grouse and compared it with 12 ga. loads of 1 1/8 oz. loads and 1 1/4 oz. loads. The big birds are not difficult to hit or knock down, but can soak up alot of lead. They usually do not escape when knocked down so they are excellent for trying different load combinations. Another factor is they are usually shot between I would say 30-55 yards. Over the years, I have kept track of the distances they were shot as much as possible. For several years, when my wife was living, I switched to a Rem. 870 20 ga. She shot the same model gun and ga. It was done so I had to pack only one type of shells because she was forever forgetting her ammo, or leaving in in another jacket .......

$:-\$

Being married I am sure you understand. During the years I shot the 20 I notice more birds coming down alive or able to try and make an excape. My goldens usually caught them, but it changed to a noticable degree when I retuned to my old 870 12.

When you mentioned you found the 20 perfect for uplands, and I realize you are from Alabama, I suppose the game you are mostly considering is bobwhite quail and morning doves. For those I suppose the 20 would be excellent.

Drae · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2009, 09:05:52 AM »

Here my shot excluding dram equivalent. 12 gauge- For Ruffed grouse & quail -1 1/8 7 1/2
Pheasants 1 1/4 ounce of# 5 lead. #4 shot will also work. Where I have to use steel. 1 1/4 ounce of # 3 or 2. Sharp-tailed grouse- # 5 lead. My 12 gauge is a 6 lb. Beretta Ultralight. 1 1/4 ounce of shot is all you really want for punching your shoulder! With a shotgun it is the weight of the shot that is the leading cause of the kick. Yes, speed does enter into it also. But if you stay at around 1250 ps for all loads, it is the weight of the shot that matters.
Now for 12 vs 20. My experience with a 20 gauge is limit to 5 shots so far this ruffed grouse season. Until this year I never owned , wanted or shot a 20 gauge. Until I saw a 16 year old Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon in a sporting store. This gun was in NEW condition. It just begged me to buy it! I thought I needed a backup gun so I bought it. I have shot 3 grouse with those 5 shots. I pulled feather on a 4th. Now, would I have gotten that bird using my 12 gauge?? I don't think so! A poor shot is a poor shot!
The biggest difference is the amount of shot between them. Yes, you can get 1 1/4 ounce of shot in a 20 gauge. That is a 3'' vs a 2 3/4' 12 gauge. Which would you think would pattern better? A longer small diameter or a shorter larger diameter shotgun shell? That would make the 410 the biggest cripper of game of all time! The key here is to get as many pellets as you can into the boiler room with a good pattern!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2009, 09:23:43 AM »

Mc. What kind of 10 bore do you have?

Are those old 2 7/8's inch shells hard to come by?

? Ross Syiefreed (?) was fond of those old 10 bores. He wrote a lot about using them on phesant and duck. I always wanted a 10, so a couple years ago, bought a BPS, of course it is 3 1/2, but I have loaded some lighter loads for phesant and sage hens. Here the bird shooting is pretty slim, next fall, I think I will Journey to Mt. for some shooting in Sept. Have only used my 10 on some sage grouse and one poor gobbler. It was pure murder on him. I never liked shooting b irds on the ground with a scatter gun, but prefer a rifle. I am waiting to try the 10 on waterfowl this fall.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2009, 05:58:56 AM »

I have a Zabala Brothers from Spain that was imported by Eagle Arms. 32" barrels F/F chokes. and 9.5 pounds.
And the 2 7/8" shells are easy to come by not cheap but easy to come by from RST. Great guys.
This is where I get my 2.5" 20ga shells for an old french side by side I have. I bought a case and a 1/2 of shells for it and before could not hit anything with the few shells I loaded and was breaking 20 in double trap with it with the first box. The also load my favorite shot size #7. It is hard hitting like #6 but give a dense pattern like 7.5's.
WWW.rstshells.com
The 10 ga shells come in a box of 10. But would be a good source for hulls and easier to load than all the felt spacers for the 3.5" 1 1/4 oz shells I was loading.
I did buy some of the 10-12ga reducers but they are split in design and rupture the hull and are a real PITA to remove the hull and get set up again. Also a full choke is a full choke! I figured the full 10 would give me skeet 12 results. NO. Full is full! ANd shooting skeet with the beast was slow and fun it was hard to hit the little suckers with a pattern the size of a soda can. I did hit some but was like being 12 again and shooting skeet with dad's Auto 5. Big heavy gun that you need to muscle to the birds rather than swing. And remember it is heavy and builds momentium. But works well for handicap trap if you are willing to ruin the hulls. not sure these would work well in your BPS. A gun I have been thinking of more than once. Had one in 12 in the upland special configuration and liked that gun. Gave it to my 14 year old Cousin. he killed his first white wing with it this past dove season. But have been thinking of one for Duck and goose.
But they do not make heavy shot for it. I have used the bizmouth out of mine. When you are looking at some other upand game on the way out of the swamp and thing it cost $5 to load my side by side. How badly do I want to eat tree rat.

Rayzor · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2009, 12:59:28 PM »

I use a 3' #8 shot federals in the pardner 410 with a full choke. I have had the gun for a few years (2003) and have put almost 3 boxes threw it. What I can say is I have killed a ruffled or blue grouse and 1 coon with every shot out of the gun. Its starting to be a small joke with my friends cause they always tell me I need more gun, but at this point I cant see why.

Tonk · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2009, 02:32:20 PM »

PISS UP A ROPE!!!

rokefert · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:40:14 PM »

Im a big fan of "less is more" Ive shot everything from coyotes to red squirrels with my 20. For ruffed grouse 1 oz of #7 1/2 over 17gr of WSF, coyotes drop like a sack of crap from an ounce of BB or #3 buck, and for snowshoe hares 7/8 of #4s pound through the brush but dont turn em into bunny burger. I just scored an 870LW Wingmaster in 28 guage, reloader is on the way, and i feel that will be the new hare gun. For things like rabbits less shot, and larger shot is the way to go (4&5), less bb's to burgerize the rabbit, and bb's are large enough to fully penetrate even on long shots. Last year i smoked one at 62 yds with the 20 (with a 5 foot lead and about 2 foot hold over) Silly rabbits tricks arent just for kids!

bearmgc · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2010, 02:48:22 PM »

12 ga, # 6's Fiocchi or Rem for everything but the dove. Then its 20Ga, Win, Rem or Fiocchi 7 1/2.
All 2 3/4 shells. I've also shot 20Ga #6's for blue and sage grouse and pheasant. It aint hard.

alleyyooper · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2010, 11:56:17 AM »

I've yet to buy a 3 inch shell for a shot gun. I grew up with a 16 single shot and the most easy shot size to buy way back then was 7 1/2. Latter in life I switched to a 12 when 16ga. shells were few and far between in the area I lived. I still liked the 7 1/2 shot for about any thing. Then one day in the local gun shop the owner who was a friend of my pops showed me a Breatta silver snipe 20 OU, It followed me home. I been a fan of the 20 ga. every since and still mostly shoot 7 1/2.

Some day maybe they will relize what a great shot gun the old 16s were and come out with some new loads for them. I love them old 16s.

Al

Tn Jim · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2010, 06:02:38 AM »

Here's mine, all 12 gauge.
Dove & Quail. 1 1/8 oz 7 1/2 @ 1145 fps (2 3/4 dram)
Grouse. 1 1/8 oz 6 shot@ 1250 fps (3 1/4 dram)
Turkey. 1 3/4 oz 5 shot @ 1300 fps 3" mag

JBlk · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2010, 02:49:19 AM »

I haven't fired many factory loaded shells in years but I always found that 11/8 oz of shot in sixes or sevens and a half were very deadly.Its been my experience that each barrel prefers a certain size of shot reguardless of the shot or powder charge.My favorite load has always been a 23 grains of green dot under 1 1/8 oz of sevens and a half.

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:09:00 AM »

I bought a 10 gauge online years ago from a guy that confirmed that it was a browned Pedersoli...well my Pedersoli looks a lot like a blued Pietta. But at least it was a 10 gauge. I have hunted with that gun for many many years. Great Water Fowl gun, not much fun to lug around on a pheasant hunt or dove hunt.

As for Steel Shot, I bought a nice supply of “T” shot and #4 from a local supplier before the industry took that big hit during the last election cycle. I hope things start to settle soon and components are available once again.

I have used that gun to harvest more geese than I care to count. What an awesome goose gun. The guys didn't much care for it...I had to take the down-wind position in the blind or they couldn't see jack after I shot.

Here's my loads:

Goose Hunting: 1st shot of the day, clean barrels: 100 grains ffg, over powder card, fibre wad (Soaked in Moose Milk), 96 steel "T" shot inside a 10 gauge wad, over shot card. For following shots I back off to 90 grains of 2 ffg and still get about 1580 fps. After years of goose hunting I have come to the conclusion that with steel shot...1500 fps is the magic number. Faster is even better. But once you see that landing gear...its time to bang away.

Duck Hunting: 80 grains ffg, over powder card, same measure loaded with #4 steel shot, over shot card. Nice load...you can shoot it all day and I don't have any fowling problems if I run patch about every 10 shots or so...The first shot should be taken at ducks that are no farther than 30 yards or so. After the first shot fouling provides a nice jump in velocity with successive shots and it has a better punch when it connects with ducks that are laying up at 40 to 45 yards.

Small Game, Dove, Squirrel, Rabbit etc: 60 grains ffg, over powder card, same measure loaded with 8 shot or 7 1/2 or 6 shot, over shot card. Nice easy load. I don't shoot it with this load much anymore...I have a beatiful Pedersoli 12 gauge upland that is just made for light carry and light loads.

Cheers

Rock Home Isle

sachel.45 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:57:49 AM »

i always wanted one of those muzzleloader shotguns when i was a kid cabelas sold them for about 700 bucks now there about a 1000. still want one though. as to loads in my 12 gauge i like 1 1/4 of no 6 for pheasants 1oz of 7.5 for grouse and 1 3/8 no 2 for ducks i just got a 20 gauge thats going to be my main upland gun this year (saving the 12 for ducks and geese) havent decieded on shells for it yet

gcrank1 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2011, 01:03:45 PM »

I am pretty new to gunning, but have two 20ga.'s doubles to choose from (and a single H&R), a Spanish SxS and a Italian O/U, both about 5 3/4#, built on true 20ga. frames and a pure delight.
I picked up 1oz./7 1/2 and 7/8 oz./ 6's which are working fine (as far as I know); If Im wrong maybe its better not to know.
I didnt get interested in shotguns before because everything I shot was 12 ga. and unpleasant.
From what I read here, maybe I should find some #4's too for..........well, just because?

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #21 on:** March 07, 2011, 08:05:24 AM »

I have used 4's for some things, but generally I think it is felt 4's are too big for a 20.. too many holes in the pattern due to the small # of pellets in an 0zs. of 4's...I think the old shotgunners recommened mostly 6's and smaller....

streak · « **Reply #22 on:** March 07, 2011, 08:28:31 AM »

After many. many years of hunting with a shotgun on birds and small game, I have found that the Federal Game Loads ( low brass) #6 are a really all around good utility load ! This has been in the 12 gauge and I have had good success with this load on foxes all the way down to doves! Very seldom ever mangle a bird with excessive shot. At the time these were in the 1 1/8 oz loads.
These were used in a modified barrel ( 28") and some extra long shots were successful on doves!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** March 07, 2011, 08:44:11 AM »

streak, that is one of my favorite loads also, and as you I use it in my 12's a great deal..I also like the old pigeon load of 3 1/4-1 1/4- #6's. I bought a flat of these loaded by Federal with copper plated shot..but I love experimenting with all kinds of loads just like rifle ammo..one of my favorite reloads for the 12 was the pigeon load with # 7 shot..but really, I don't see much difference in any of the 12 bore loads as long as one doesn't have extra fine shot or extra large shot...

gcrank1 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 07, 2011, 09:38:51 AM »

I think you chaps have saved me from buying #4s, I'll just spend the money on more 6's and learn to use them!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #25 on:** March 08, 2011, 11:22:15 AM »

Good Plan....

Couger · « **Reply #26 on:** March 09, 2011, 11:53:35 AM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on March 07, 2011, 09:38:51 AM

I think you chaps have saved me from buying #4s, I'll just spend the money on more 6's and learn to use them!

Do yourself a favor some day ...... and try some [magnum lead or plated] #5's. #4's have their place, but not too often I find for myself!

A number 5 pellet hits almost as hard a #4 shot, while offering similar pattern densities and that unique quality #6's have of cutting through feathers (without balling them up like #4's do!).

IOW, #5's are a great compromise between #4's and #6's.

Also one previous poster mentioned finding and using lead #7's (not #7 1/2's nor #6's - but "sevens!").

CONSIDER: there are @345-350 #7 1/2 pellets in ONE once of lead shot,
and @224-225 pellets in One once of lead #6's.

There are 299-300 pellets in ONE once of number sevens!

I've learned that pattern density (and consistency) is often far more important than shot size when choosing an effective load. Plus I never need anything faster than 1285-1300fps MV.

1200-1275 feet-per-second are what most of my hunting loads "launch" at. And the old-style 3 1/4dram equivalent 1 1/4ounce 12ga loads at @1220-1230fps are fairly well balanced in 12 bore!

Regardless of whether 12 or 20ga, ONE once of #8's is what almost all my dove loads contain, 1185-1225fps.

streak · « **Reply #27 on:** March 09, 2011, 05:48:48 PM »

As I mentioned in my previous post I like the low brass # 6`s in the Federal load. I also have a 10 gauge single shot in the NEF configuration. I am thinking about buying some 10 gauge all brass shells and reloading them with black powder. probably would drop down to 71/2`s for grouse and doves. Stay with 6`s for squirrels and ducks. Any
body have any experience with this set up?
Also try and load up some # 4`s for foxes and coyotes.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 10, 2011, 03:56:09 AM »

Ive been loading 24ga. plastic hulls cut for length to use in my .577 Snider, loaded with BP then bullet. Some years back loaded some 12ga. shot loads in plastic too, all just cut off and card toped like you would a brass shell. No problems and way cheaper than brass! Also, you have to wash that brass right away or ruin it.

streak · « **Reply #29 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:59:18 AM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on March 10, 2011, 03:56:09 AM

Ive been loading 24ga. plastic hulls cut for length to use in my .577 Snider, loaded with BP then bullet. Some years back loaded some 12ga. shot loads in plastic too, all just cut off and card toped like you would a brass shell. No problems and way cheaper than brass! Also, you have to wash that brass right away or ruin it.

Thanks gcrank1, I do have a collection of empty 10 gauge plastic shells. Do you do all the steps in reloading strickly by hand or do you use some reloading tools?