Need a good pheasant load

[Toddlo]

Hi,

I'm new to shotshell reloading and I'm looking for a good 12 Ga. load for hunting raised Pheasants using Remington Gun Club hulls that I can use in either an autoloader or 6lb pump that won't kill my arm. A secondary desire is that I could use the same powder reduced down to a clay load in the off season, but it's not critical. Anyone have a good "go to" formula they use year in and year out?

Thanks

[Dhammer]

For pen raised birds, I just use my trap loads. They aren't as hardy as the wild ones. Find a trap load that works well for you and I'd start with that.

I usally have a load for those windy days with a little more umph and again, does double duty for both.

Now wild birds, I do what my dad called cramming the 3 inch mag into a smaller shell load. ;)

I'll take a look at my notes when, I can get out to reloading room. I'm like a mad scientist with the shotgun reloading. I like experimenting.

[Toddlo]

Thanks for the info, from a fellow mad scientist. And thanks in advance for sharing your notes with me.

[skeettx]

Shotshell 12 Gauge

2 3/4-in. Remington Plastic Shells (STS, Nitro 27, Premier RXP and Gun Club)
1 1/8 shot wt.
Rem 209P
Versalite


http://www.alliantpowder.com/images/product_images/reloaders_guide/red_dot.jpg




Dram Equiv.
Shot Wt.
(ounces)
Velocity
(fps)
Primer
Powder
Wad
Grains
Approx. psi


---
1 1/8
1,145
Rem 209P
Red Dot (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/red_dot.aspx)
Versalite
17.5
9,000

[Hardcast416taylor]

Shotshell

12 Gauge



2 3/4-in. Remington Plastic Shells (STS, Nitro 27, Premier RXP and Gun Club)
1 1/8 shot wt.
Rem 209P
Versalite


http://www.alliantpowder.com/images/product_images/reloaders_guide/red_dot.jpg




Dram Equiv.

Shot Wt.
(ounces)

Velocity
(fps)

Primer

Powder

Wad

Grains

Approx. psi



---
1 1/8
1,145
Rem 209P
Red Dot (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/red_dot.aspx)
Versalite
17.5
9,000




This is the load data that I used for both skeet using #7 1/2 or #8 shot on the clays. I just swapped out the fine shot for #6 for cornfield pheasants in early season here in Michigan.Robert

[Toddlo]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

Todd

[kenyerian]

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/shotgun Try some IMR 7625. 1 1/4 oz of 6's going 1325 ft per sec is very effective.

[Toddlo]

Thanks friend. I will try this too.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

Don't overlook the 3¼ Dr Eq with 1¼ oz of hard #5's load. Easy on the shoulder and actually patterns better than heavier/faster loads because of less pellet deformation. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

I don't have my manuals with me, and I've always be fond of Herco for other than light loads in the 12. Here is the link to the Alliant website where they list several for your hull.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?shotype=&weight=1.25&weightdis=1+1%2f4&shellid=492&gtypeid=3&gauge=12

For a lighter claybird load, you'll need another powder. The same website has many loads for lighter shot payloads. Remember, speed ain't all that hot when you're throwing spherical projectiles. I use a 2¾ Dr Eq with 11/8 oz shot for 16 yd trap, and do as well as with a heavier 3 Dr Eq loading.

Here's a link to a shotshell Dr Eq and payload chart. It is a few screens down.
http://www.shotgunworld.com/amm.html

[Janoosh]

For clay sports I use 7/8 to 1oz loads of 7.5's. 2 3/4---3 drams. Easy on my shoulder. 6's for raised birds. 5's are best. Bought 25 lbs a looong time ago and still have most left.

[ksfowler166]

Some outside factors such as wind conditions or dogs and quality of said dogs would effect what should be used. Generally with good weather conditions with quality dogs either pointer or flusher or with no dogs, you should not be shooting past 40 yards. Really most people myself include can not with any sort of reliability hit a flying target past 40 yards anyway.

As such it is really hard not to fault the classic English driven shoot load of 1 1/16oz #7 lead at 1200fps. So any load with 1oz-1 1/8oz #7 around 1200fps. Should work fine, plus an 1 1/8oz load gives you the same pellet count as a 1 1/2oz #6 load. With a lot less recoil and has been proven effective on millions of birds over decades.