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Hunting Shotgun / Need Ammo Advice

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  • TX69

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    I'll start by saying that the last time I've been hunting was for pheasant in 2001, its been a while lol. My shotgun is a Beretta 3" 12ga semi factory gun.

    What I am looking for is practice ammo and hunting ammo (steel for both). For practice this shotgun needs to be patterned and then I need to take it and practice. I have only the factory choke tubes which are Full/Modified/ImpCyl. I want to limit my ammo choice to WallyWorld as they are the most prolific store and will be near where I am hunting out of state.

    Price doesn't matter since I obviously do not shoot this gun that much.

    All replies are appreciated
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    robertc1024

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    Maybe a stupid question, but, why are you having to shoot steel? Pheasant's are tough birds. Lead #6 gets them though.
     

    Vaquero

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    No experience with anything but lead shot.

    I'm interested in what our wetland bird hunters use though.
     

    txbikerman

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    Used to hunt ducks. switched to steel when lead was a nono. look at tungsten or the other alternatives to steel. steel doesnt fly right
     

    TX69

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    Maybe a stupid question, but, why are you having to shoot steel? Pheasant's are tough birds. Lead #6 gets them though.

    No experience with anything but lead shot.

    I'm interested in what our wetland bird hunters use though.

    Used to hunt ducks. switched to steel when lead was a nono. look at tungsten or the other alternatives to steel. steel doesnt fly right

    I just went back and checked. The area we are going to does not require steel. Heck, I thought lead was almost gone from the shelves. If lead is still good to go what should I get at Wally?
     

    Vaquero

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    Field loads.
    #6 shot.

    I'd grab what I could at home first.
    Or check with your host.

    Dove loads are about all I see around here.
    6 shot may be a sporting goods store item, not wally world.
     

    TexMex247

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    If we're talking lead shot, I'm a fan of no. 7-1/2 shot for dove, for pheasant or duck I have no clue. My experience with steel in the past is that is can't be fully choked or it will blast donuts around your intended target. It does not deform as needed when passing through a choke. I have also heard that you should go 2 sizes lower when trying to get steel to carry some distance. So, if you have had luck with no. 8 lead shot you should be using no.6 steel to get similar results.
     

    Hondo

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    Well any dove load is good for practice on clay targets

    I got to go pheasant hunting up in SD years ago. I figured field #6's would do the trick, boy was I wrong I had to shoot my first two birds twice to knock them down. I bought a box of Federal Wing Shock High Velocity #5's off another hunter and nailed the third rooster. The next day I got my three rooster limit in four shots.

    The guide told me most locals use 2 3/4 in 4,5, or 6 but they all use high velocity (high brass) shells. He said 3" would be overkill.
     

    TX69

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    Well any dove load is good for practice on clay targets

    I got to go pheasant hunting up in SD years ago. I figured field #6's would do the trick, boy was I wrong I had to shoot my first two birds twice to knock them down. I bought a box of Federal Wing Shock High Velocity #5's off another hunter and nailed the third rooster. The next day I got my three rooster limit in four shots.

    The guide told me most locals use 2 3/4 in 4,5, or 6 but they all use high velocity (high brass) shells. He said 3" would be overkill.

    Can I go 3's and bring the shot down to a 6? Gotta remember that I haven't hunted in 12 years.
     

    Hondo

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    Can I go 3's and bring the shot down to a 6? Gotta remember that I haven't hunted in 12 years.

    Sure you could do that. I personally haven't shot 3" mags at pheasants but I know lots of people do (according to the hunting forums I have visited)

    I wouldn't go any smaller than 6's IMHO, now I know some people will say they 7.5 or 8's will kill a pheasant but I wouldn't take that chance.

    From what I was told #6 is the smallest shot recommended and #4 is the biggest shot size recommended. #5 shot is considered to be the "best of both worlds" but is not as easily found as the other shot sizes.
     
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