20 gauge ammo for quail

Roy B

Roy B

Member
I'm just curious what you guys use for quail in a 20 gauge load. When I was shooting my 12 gauge I was using 7.5 shot target loads and they worked great but wasn't sure if the lighter load in 20 would work as well.
 
Roy B said:
I'm just curious what you guys use for quail in a 20 gauge load. When I was shooting my 12 gauge I was using 7.5 shot target loads and they worked great but wasn't sure if the lighter load in 20 would work as well.
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I have switched to Winchester AA SUPER SPORT (they have multiple variations - get the super sport loads) - 7.5 shot -- works great for pheasants, quail etc. I love those shells.
 
KsHusker said:
I have switched to Winchester AA SUPER SPORT (they have multiple variations - get the super sport loads) - 7.5 shot -- works great for pheasants, quail etc. I love those shells.
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KS are you referring to 12 or 20 gauge?
 
Roy B said:
KS are you referring to 12 or 20 gauge?
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I buy them in both 12 and 20 -- --

They (Win AA) have that hot load in all the gauges I believe)

I hunt pretty much 100% of the time with my 20g sxs. Have a 12 - but dont carry it much anymore.
 
I never shoot any less than 1 oz of 7.5's or 6's. The 6's won't shoot them up as bad. I have patterned many different brands. Winchester seems to pattern the best for me, the AA heavy target being the best. I usually turkey hunt with an o/u double trigger 20 . 2.75'' AA heavy target 7.5 in the bottom. 3'' in the top. I've dusted off a few at 35 yards with the AA's. Contrary to popular belief, 7.5's will penetrate a turkey skull from a 20 at 35. 2.75 12 gauge at 45.
 
I need to buy more ammo for my two 20 gauges. I'm running low and all I have is a few boxes of cheap #6 and #7 1/2 shells from Walmart. My wife is out of town and I'm feeling brave, so I ordered a case of Migra 3" stacked #6/8 shot yesterday that I found on sale. Never shot it before. Going to Rogers in a few hours and buying a case of the Rem Nitro target and going over to Academy and picking up several boxes of the Winchester Super Sport in # 7 1/2. I have an old A5 20 gauge and I don't like light loads in it. I'll pick up some 2 3/4 1 oz 7 1/2's at some point too. I'm planning on hunting more with my 20 gauges than I have in the past and I need to build up some inventory.
 
Mosby said:
I need to buy more ammo for my two 20 gauges. I'm running low and all I have is a few boxes of cheap #6 and #7 1/2 shells from Walmart. My wife is out of town and I'm feeling brave, so I ordered a case of Migra 3" stacked #6/8 shot yesterday that I found on sale. Never shot it before. Going to Rogers in a few hours and buying a case of the Rem Nitro target and going over to Academy and picking up several boxes of the Winchester Super Sport in # 7 1/2. I have an old A5 20 gauge and I don't like light loads in it. I'll pick up some 2 3/4 1 oz 7 1/2's at some point too. I'm planning on hunting more with my 20 gauges than I have in the past and I need to build up some inventory.
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Don't forget to use cash. They can't track that unless they go through your wallet.:D
 
Here are a few of my 20-gauge pattern numbers from lead dove/quail loads 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 AA TARGET LOAD
7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) @ 1200 fps
20 YARDS – CYL / pattern 301 (85%)
30 YARDS – CYL / pattern 182 (51%)
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 230 (65%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 257 (72%)
30 YARDS – M / pattern 318 (89%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 225 (63%)
40 YARDS – LF / pattern 246 (69%)
40 YARDS – F / pattern 240 (67%)
40 YARDS – XF / pattern 259 (73%)

20 GA 2 3/4" WINCHESTER AA HEAVY TARGET LOAD
1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) @ 1165 fps
20 YARDS – CYL / pattern 334 (81%)
30 YARDS – CYL / pattern 216 (53%)
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 237 (58%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 276 (67%)
30 YARDS – M / pattern 341 (83%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 270 (66%)
40 YARDS – LF / pattern 277 (68%)
40 YARDS – F / pattern 272 (66%)
40 YARDS – XF / pattern 291 (71%)

20 GA 2 ¾” REMINGTON SHURSHOT HEAVY DOVE LOAD
1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) @ 1165 fps
20 YARDS – CYL / pattern 306 (88%)
30 YARDS – CYL / pattern 179 (51%)
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 221 (63%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 249 (71%)
30 YARDS – M / pattern 298 (85%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 221 (63%)
40 YARDS – LF / pattern 231 (66%)
40 YARDS – F / pattern 243 (70%)
40 YARDS – XF / pattern 247 (71%)
 
I’m thinking about going to 6s for quail. The last couple times I have hunted with 7.5s I have found quite a bit of shot in the birds while cleaning.
 
OKhunter88 said:
I’m thinking about going to 6s for quail. The last couple times I have hunted with 7.5s I have found quite a bit of shot in the birds while cleaning.
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I hunted with a guy who hunted with a 12 gauge full choke. He hunted with light load 4's. They don't make them anymore. I laughed at him until we cleaned the quail that evening. His weren't shot up as bad as mine.
 
I like the AA 7 1/2… I shoot all sub gauge stuff these days 20 is the top end
My main rule is pick a velocity and stick with it
1300 fps is my go to…. Don’t have to adjust leads if I swap shot size or gauges.
If mixed bag I’ll hunt 5’s or 6’s with in Super X as close to 1300 fps as I can get
 
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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