Trying to fine-tune my 20ga for late-season pheasants
Been hunting roosters with my Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 20ga and a Modified choke. Using Federal Premium 3" #5s at 1,250 fps. Birds are flushing wild at 35-40 yards and I'm getting a lot of cripples. Pattern seems okay on paper at 40 yards, but in the field it's not putting them down cleanly. Should I switch to a tighter choke, heavier shot, or both?
1 Answer
Late-season roosters are tough. At those ranges, your Modified choke with #5s is probably a bit light. I'd try an Improved Modified or even a Full choke with #4s. Federal makes a 3" 20ga load with 1-1/4 oz of #4s at 1,200 fps that patterns really well in my Browning Citori. The extra pellet energy and denser pattern at 40 yards makes a big difference on those wary birds. Have you tried patterning with different chokes to see where your gun likes #4s best?
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