Looking for a good 20ga load for late-season pheasants
I've been hunting pheasants for a couple seasons now with my Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 20ga. Early season birds go down fine with my usual 7/8oz #6 Fiocchi loads, but late in the year when they're wilder and flushing at 35-40 yards, I'm getting a lot of cripples. Should I step up to #5 shot, or maybe a heavier load? My gun has a Modified choke in it.
1 Answer
Late-season roosters are tough birds! I'd definitely move up to #5 shot for those longer shots - the heavier pellets carry more energy and pattern better at distance. Try Federal Premium Prairie Storm 20ga 3" with 1oz of #5s, or Winchester Super-X 1oz #5 loads. Both pattern great through Modified chokes. You might also consider switching to an Improved Cylinder choke if the birds are flushing close and you need a wider pattern. What's your typical shooting distance on those late flushes?
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