No. 5 shot question

[Jonnytoobad]

Hey everyone

I have been a shotgun shooter most of my life....but have never used NO.5 lead shot. I have shot plenty of 4,6,7,71/2,8,9 but I haven't tried 5. I recently came across a small amount of number 5 lead high velocity 2 3/4 shot shells for a really good price,they are high brass as well. I guess my question is in what situation or for what sort of game are Number 5's good for? I used to use number 4 for rabbit hunting growing up and anything smaller on flying birds. I am hoping it will be a good all around small game hunting load that I can use in a emergency survival situation.

Jonnytoobad

[35remington]

Good shot size for pheasants, preferable to #6's in my opinion assuming we are talking about using a large enough load of shot.

Fine also for rabbits, squirrels, decoyed ducks, and what have you. An excellent general purpose shot size for any critter exceeding a couple of pounds in weight up to three or four pounds or so.

It is a good all around small game hunting shot size.

As for emergency survival, if you're thinking of shooting deer or humans buckshot is far better for that. Birdshot is for small animals only.

[LIMPINGJ]

#5 shot is what I use for Spring Turkey season.

[jmsj]

jonny,
I use 12 gauge #5 high base loads(2 & 3/4") as my around the yard load and my go to load for pheasant. I started using them on pheasant years ago. My favorite load is Winchester Super Pheasant, they are loaded really fast with copper plated shot and they hit really hard. The Win. Super Pheasant loads anchor even the toughest late season roosters. My brother is sold on the Fiochhi Golden Pheasant 20 Gauge 3" #5 nickel plated load for pheasant. He was about to give up shooting his favorite upland game O/U on pheasant before he tried these. I have found that regular #5 shot works well but I think the plated is worth the extra money.
Around here we have many nuisance animals, everything from a large breed of ground squirrels to skunks to numerous feral cats and more. I have found that the #5's anchor these pests better and still provide good pattern density.
Good luck, jmsj

[OnHoPr]

5's are just like a 16 ga. Carries like a 20, hits like a 12. 5's hit like 4's, but pattern like 6's. With the extra shot hitting the target, they might hit harder than 4's.

[Leslie Sapp]

#5 shot is what I use for Spring Turkey season

#5's in the chamber, backed up with 3" plated, buffered #2's in the magazine.

[TRG3]

No. 5s are a great turkey shot, whether in my Remington 870 or black powder smoothbore. I also handload them in my .410 for rabbits in front of my beagles.

[Hardcast416taylor]

I knew a fella once that mixed 5, 6 and 7 1/2 shot in a bowl then put the mix in his MEC loader and loaded his pheasant hunting shells. Claimed he got a better pattern and better distance with the mix. Just relating a true story guys.Robert

[RMc]

To convert american shot sizes to actual diameter:

Subtract shot size from 17

ie: 17-5=12 then move the decimal to get .12" diameter.

Why it is set up this way has apparently been lost "...in the mists of time."

[10 ga]

#5 been my favorite for over 50 years. When I started hunting #6 would stick in the squirrels, rabbits and ducks and you'd bite them when you ate them and not so good for your teeth. #4 too thin a pattern and tear up meat too much. #5 just right, mostly shoot through and not so big as to tear up too much meat, again just right. Been my favorite size for small game all that time. Just IMHO! Best, 10 ga



lead dust

[Combat Diver]

Good for Grouse too.


CD

[wlc]

Number 5's in a three inch shell was my all time favorite turkey load.

[Jeffrey]

My favorite for grey squirrels. Southern greys have a thick skin. #5s work best for penetration / pattern density. J

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

#5 has always been my preference for pheasants in 12 and 20 gauge. It worked great on ducks before the non-toxic rules. More pellets per shot than #4, but still great hitting power. Not as good as #4 when you begin to pick on coyotes.

[Gunnut 45/454]

Yep like #5 for Pigeons and Chuckar, Pheasants. Just seem to hit harder then #6 and pattern very well.:mrgreen:

[mtgrs737]

5's for flushing pheasants and 4's for wild long range flushers. I would shoot #2's for coyotes or even #4 buckshot.

[jumbeaux]

Late '60s I was a teenager with a beat up Newport SXS 12....bought a Lee Loader and all the supplies....shop had a bag of Lawerence #5's marked way down....so 25# and a few cans of PB, Remington Wads and Primers and I was in business. Used the #5's on dove, duck, rabbit, squirrel, tin cans, armadilos....actually everything but whitetails.....the old Newport finally came apart and I used up the shot/powder/misc.....but I still have that Lee...best money I ever spent.....

rick

[Harter66]

The last swan I killed w/legal lead and a proper tag fell 35 yd to an 1 1/4 of 5s over 27gn of Unique a tundra swan is about 12lbs on the wing. That load killed a lot of late season snow geese, ducks,and November Canadas too.

3 shooters took 8 Sage hen this season, they're a lot like prairie chickens , dressed they look like 4# chickens. They work well on blue and roughed grouse too.

[skeettx]

Instant death

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j452/skeettx/MVC-008S-1.jpg

[plainsman456]

I load 1 5/8 oz of #5's in my 12 gauge for turkeys.

They have been responsible for a lot in the last 10 years or so.

I also have a modified choke in my 870,with the forcing cone reamed,makes a tight pattern.

longest shot on the wing was at prairie chickens...68 steps.