Help with steel shot

Hello, I have not pheasant hunted in 12 years going to try this again I have a 20 and 12 gauge use 20 mostly over under what kind of steel shot do I need it will be all public hunting land thus I only want steel shot what size shot should I get? 4,5,6 also something that does not break the bank. I found some 6 shot Winchester steel shot for 6 bucks anything else near it price ways? Thanks for your help also what is the thing called you put on your belt that holds a pheasant if you get one? I think you slid there head in it? I live in MN what chokes should I have on top barrel and bottom and what choke for the pump shotgun?

I go up at least 1 size with steel since it doesn’t carry as much energy. In steel I use #2. I actually use tungsten or some form of “hevi” shot for public. The cost of shells for how much shooting I do is such a small portion of the trip I don’t mind spending a little more for shells.

I agree with onestout go heavier with steel. Where are you planning on hunting? WMA you can use lead, WPA you need steel.

Thanks all mostly on WPA

I would not shoot pheasants with $6 Winchester #6. Is it by chance XPert? That stuff is really light, made for doves or clays. Doesnt even kill doves at distance well. Id shoot 3 or 4 shot made for waterfowl.

Let’s be honest, in MN you are not going to shoot 10 boxes of shells at Pheasants, maybe 1/2 to one full box if you hunt really hard. Save up and buy one good box of shells. Myself, I won’t shoot anything but 3″ for pheasants #4 in steel is the smallest I would go, prefer #2. I also use the same full steel choke that I use for waterfowl on pheasants. They are tough birds and if they hit the ground running you are hosed. Hit em hard or miss completely.

sticker wrote:

Let’s be honest, in MN you are not going to shoot 10 boxes of shells at Pheasants, maybe 1/2 to one full box if you hunt really hard.

Speak for yourself, I haven’t shot at all since last season and it might take me a box per bird

If I was shooting steel I would probably try a higher velocity load with #4 shot and use an IC or Modified choke depending on how you are hunting.

Personally I use 3″ 1-3/8oz #5 bismuth that is 1450fps and an IC choke. Bismuth is between lead and steel. A lighter load or expecting longer shots I’d maybe use a modified choke.

You’re going to get a lot of opinions and most of it matters how and where you hunt. My shots are a lot closer hunting by myself with a pointer than in a group of people with flushing dogs. With a heavier load only occasionally I’ll wish I hadn’t hit a bird so hard. I’d rather err on the side of too heavy than too light and wounding a bunch of birds.

I’ll still use 2 3/4″ steel before deer opener, especially when the weather is nice, because they aren’t too spooky yet plus you’ll find a good amount of younger birds that aren’t “quite” as tough. If something goes wrong on any one bird though, it’s right back to 3″ shells without another thought.

Agree with sticker about getting a quality shotshell cause he’s right about volume, if you’re hunting wild birds you’d have a great season if you go through more than 25 shots per year.

In my old 3″ Gold with a mod choke, Federal steel shoots really well and I get 3″ Prairie Storm steel in #3 or #4 if I can find it, same in Federal regular waterfowl load otherwise. Hope this helps, good luck.

Personally, I use #2 steel or #4 tungsten blend in 3 inch in my 20 gauge. I agree with Sticker, for the price difference and the amount you shoot in MN, I’d buy tungsten blend if I had to buy now. With that said, I have what amounts to a lifetime supply of steel #2s that I was given by a relative when he cleaned out his house to downsize, so I’ll be shooting my way through those for about the next 25 years.

BTW, I find 3 inch mags in a light 20 upland O/U to be about the nastiest recoiling thing I shoot. Very few other things in the realm of modern shotguns will mule-kick you as hard as a 5.5 pound 20-gauge o/u with max dram 3 inchers.

Grouse

3″ #2 12ga Kent Fasteel is the only round I use on Ducks and Pheasants. I shoot it all season for ducks, so why switch to lead when I can since I’m already used to this particular round and how it shoots? Federal also makes a decent budget round that works surprisingly well. I always avoid Winchester ammo…

Can’t help you with a 20ga ammo recommendation. I like consistency during the season, so I try to use the same shotgun for all scenarios. Who moved my cheese…

Reef W wrote:

Speak for yourself, I haven’t shot at all since last season and it might take me a box per bird

Ha ha ha! I’m with you.

You guys must like to Annie Oakley your birds, I generally use 12 ga 3 inch steel 4’s for pheasants as that it my early season duck load. Otherwise the rest of the year I am using 12 ga 3inch steel 2’s for everything else, snows, canadas, and mallards. I also dont shoot past 50 yds.

I’m a 3″ 3shot for ducks and pheasants. Love that shot size!

I have been using 12 ga 3″ #3 and #4 Federal Black Cloud fast steel for years and cannot imagine changing. It works great. We still get to use lead sometimes. In those situations I use 2 3/4 #4 or #5 shot. Federal, Remington, Fiocci, whatever.