20 gauge ammo for quail

Mosby said:
Based on the recommendations here, I just ordered a case of 20 gauge Winchester AA Super Sport 7/8, 1300 fps, 7.5's. Don't know that I've ever shot them before but I got a case for $98 plus tax and free shipping and that seemed like a decent price for it. I try to stick with #6 or #7.5's in my 20 gauge.
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Within about 30 yards - you hit a pheasant or quail with your shot string - they're done - on my gun anyways.

When I was in my 20s and younger and dumb - I'd buy the federal heavy field loads - but they were only moving at 1120 to 1200 or so ft per second - Some of the pheasants I'd shoot and find there'd be so many pellets stuck in the feathers or just at the top of the skin. Would happen on quail at times. Some of the cheaper Win super target loads - same thing - I think they use crap wads on those shells -- -- if you are shooting Win (plain winchester - not the AA - super target loads in the white box -- find the wads on those - you can tell they are smaller than what's in the Win AA super sports or frankly I'm sure in any Win AA load).

I believe a good wad and velocity is what kills with shotgun pellets. Amount of shot is not so much a factor imo -- 7/8 or 1 oz -- heck - 3/4 oz loaded hot with a good wad would probably be just as effective -- Dont know why it took me so long to come to that conclusion --


Next season - if any people moved over to them - curious what your results are.

I know the 30 or so yard limit is what I put on my gun - I'm sure others can shoot further - but for the chokes I have keep in that's all I want to shoot.

(PS -- this took until recently for it to fully sink in on shotgun loads -- but do some searching on youtube for people testing different 00 buckshot loads in shotguns to see the effective range -- out of the same gun it is SUPER drastic the difference the wad makes on the pattern at the same distance).
 
Mosby said:
Based on the recommendations here, I just ordered a case of 20 gauge Winchester AA Super Sport 7/8, 1300 fps, 7.5's. Don't know that I've ever shot them before but I got a case for $98 plus tax and free shipping and that seemed like a decent price for it. I try to stick with #6 or #7.5's in my 20 gauge.
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2nd that -- where'd you find those -- that's a great price -- Wal Mart (i hate supporting them - but $ savings does speak) -- lowest I've seen them is $10 range when they have them in stock.
 
Plannerman said:
Can I ask where you found that price? Use AA in 20 and 28 gauge.
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Cabela's of all places. Haven't bought ammo from them in years. Case price is $109.99. They had 10% off yesterday for ccard holders and they rounded up and gave me $11.00 off the case. I had almost a $1 in club points that I used and they offer free shipping over $50.
 
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After 40 years of shooting Gambel's, Scale, Mearns and Bob's with my 20s , I've come to the conclusion that speed kills. Plain and simple. If/ when I miss, I believe its because I dont catch up with the bird. Inside of 30 yard which accounts for 80% of my shots, 7/8 oz of steel 6's are just deadly . Most manufacturers have an upland load that moves at 1300- 1500 fps. You cant get that speed in a lead load for 20 ga., You might find it in some high end nontoxic loads but I dont think the performance is worth the price. Another thing I've come to find is while those steel 6s are quick, they dont tear up the birds at close range. Give me a pocketful of 7/8 oz steel sixes @ 1400fps, my pointing lab and get out of my way!!
 
NMpointinglab said:
After 40 years of shooting Gambel's, Scale, Mearns and Bob's with my 20s , I've come to the conclusion that speed kills. Plain and simple. If/ when I miss, I believe its because I dont catch up with the bird. Inside of 30 yard which accounts for 80% of my shots, 7/8 oz of steel 6's are just deadly . Most manufacturers have an upland load that moves at 1300- 1500 fps. You cant get that speed in a lead load for 20 ga., You might find it in some high end nontoxic loads but I dont think the performance is worth the price. Another thing I've come to find is while those steel 6s are quick, they dont tear up the birds at close range. Give me a pocketful of 7/8 oz steel sixes @ 1400fps, my pointing lab and get out of my way!!
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I agree somewhat. But I'll still take quantity over speed. I found a deal a few years ago on Rio 1 oz. Bought 2 cases. Been happy with them. For me an oz. is a must in my 28.
 
Another vote for the Winchester AA in 20 gauge. I like the super sport 7/8oz and the heavy target 1oz When I'm in pheasant country I just use 6 shot 12 or 20. If you can find the AA diamond gade those are really good shells. I killed a few roosters with that shell out of my 12 gauge. I don't know if they make them in 20 gauge.
 
Jake300win said:
Another vote for the Winchester AA in 20 gauge. I like the super sport 7/8oz and the heavy target 1oz When I'm in pheasant country I just use 6 shot 12 or 20. If you can find the AA diamond gade those are really good shells. I killed a few roosters with that shell out of my 12 gauge. I don't know if they make them in 20 gauge.
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Just bought the 20 gauge Diamond AA at Midway on sale for about $100/case. Delivered last Thursday.
 
I ended up ordering the Winchester AA Diamond in the 7.5 shot. Thanks for all the input and hopefully they pattern good. I will pattern them out to about 35 yds to see how they do before season. I have used the 20ga Rem Nitro target 7/8oz load and they worked great but they are a bit pricey.
 
Roy B said:
I ended up ordering the Winchester AA Diamond in the 7.5 shot. Thanks for all the input and hopefully they pattern good. I will pattern them out to about 35 yds to see how they do before season. I have used the 20ga Rem Nitro target 7/8oz load and they worked great but they are a bit pricey.
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They should work great. In areas I hunt with just quail or woodcock. I run the cylinder and skeet choke in my gun with the AA super sports. If I use my semi auto I just run the skeet choke. I should get the diamond gade in the mail today. I will try to pattern them this weekend
 
We cant shoot lead on state areas here, private farms etc, are ok, but more to the point, Winchester AA is only lead right?
 
For quail hunters that need or want to shoot steel loads, here are a few of my 20-gauge steel load pattern numbers to give you an idea of the kind of performance you might get from some commonly used choke constrictions.

Pattern results from a 20-gauge Browning Citori with 28" Invector-plus barrels using Briley flush chokes (patterns average of five, 30" post-shot inscribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, and in-shell pellet count average of five).

20 GA 2 ¾” WINCHESTER XPERT STEEL LOAD
3/4 oz #7 steel (327 pellets) @ 1325 fps
20 YARDS – CYL / pattern 251 (77%)

30 YARDS – CYL / pattern 143 (44%)
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 221 (68%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 242 (74%)
30 YARDS – M / pattern 272 (83%)

40 YARDS – IM / pattern 197 (60%)
40 YARDS – LF / pattern 212 (65%)
40 YARDS – F / pattern 213 (65%)
40 YARDS – XF / pattern 222 (68%)

20 GA 2 ¾” WINCHESTER XPERT STEEL LOAD
3/4 oz #6 steel (231 pellets) @ 1325 fps
20 YARDS – CYL / pattern 200 (86%)

30 YARDS – CYL / pattern 123 (53%)
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 173 (75%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 181 (78%)
30 YARDS – M / pattern 204 (88%)

40 YARDS – IM / pattern 155 (67%)
40 YARDS – LF / pattern 165 (71%)
40 YARDS – F / pattern 165 (71%)
40 YARDS – XF / pattern 178 (77%)

Hope this helps, good luck!
 
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