Ficcohi 20 ga. Golden Pheasant Ammo

I shot a 20 gauge almost exclusively from about 1985 until 2005 when I jumped to 16 gauge SxS's. I have still shot the 20 since then and recently I found a little 5lb 8oz Rizinni O/U that I shot most of last year. I hunted prairie grouse, pheasant and quail and never really felt under gunned and have never used 3" shells, 2 3/4" have always worked for me. I've used Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi High Velocity, Fiocchi Golden Pheasant, Federal Hi-Power, Kent, B&P and Herters but I have shot very little bismuth or non-tox loads. I believe the Golden Pheasant and the B&P were nickel plated but I'm sure the others were just lead. I've used 4's, 5's, 6's and 7.5's but tended to use mostly 6's and some 5's. I couldn't really tell much difference in any of them as long as I did my part.
The only 3" shells I've bought for the 20 gauge have been the Hevi Hammer Upland for my wife to shoot in South Dakota. She uses them everywhere so I don't I have worry about her having lead in a non-tox area. She has been deadly with them and doesn't use anything else anymore. Most of my 20 gauge guns ave 3" chambers but I've never used them, 2 3/4" does it for me.
 
I bought some 3” 20 gauge shells because I got a good deal on them. Thought I needed them for pheasant. Waist of recoil. Didn’t perform any better than 2 3/4” shells. High brass 2 3/4” 20 gauge #5 or #6 will get the job done. I prefer #5 but can’t find it sometimes and use #6. Not sure I’ll ever buy another 3” 20 gauge shell.
 
Thanks, I’ve always shot a 12 and thought the heavier shot was better so I’d get atleast the 1 1/4 oz loads but would stay around 13-1350 FPS. I’m trying to change my way of thinking on that with the new 20 I’m getting and gonna start going with lighter loads and see how it goes. I ordered a flat of golden pheasant 3” 1 1/4 oz 5’s for a good price before I got to checking into them more but now I’m debating on getting some of the 2 3/4 1 oz 5’s especially if they’ll do the work just as good without the extra kick.

I don’t see the need in spending too much on shells to use dog training or skeet but still don’t want to shoot the cheapest. Especially if I’m taking trip, not gonna drive 27 hours one way to skimp out and try to save $5-$10 on a box of shells. I agree there’s been plenty of birds killed over the years with just any shell, but I also think there’s a probably a difference in the cheap stuff now a days compared to the shells in the past that we grew up shooting.
 
Honeybun0196 said:
Thanks, I’ve always shot a 12 and thought the heavier shot was better so I’d get atleast the 1 1/4 oz loads but would stay around 13-1350 FPS. I’m trying to change my way of thinking on that with the new 20 I’m getting and gonna start going with lighter loads and see how it goes. I ordered a flat of golden pheasant 3” 1 1/4 oz 5’s for a good price before I got to checking into them more but now I’m debating on getting some of the 2 3/4 1 oz 5’s especially if they’ll do the work just as good without the extra kick.

I don’t see the need in spending too much on shells to use dog training or skeet but still don’t want to shoot the cheapest. Especially if I’m taking trip, not gonna drive 27 hours one way to skimp out and try to save $5-$10 on a box of shells. I agree there’s been plenty of birds killed over the years with just any shell, but I also think there’s a probably a difference in the cheap stuff now a days compared to the shells in the past that we grew up shooting.
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I wouldn't buy a case of anything until I patterned my gun. My philosophy is different. I always try and buy the most expensive, whether it is a shell or athletic shoes. You need to find the best shell and choke combo. You might find that 3 inch shells pattern better for you. But generally a 2 3/4 inch shell will pattern better than 3 inch but I like a max load in 2 3/4. The best pheasant load for me is 1 3/8 oz 12 gauge 6's. The same shell in 1 1/4 has about 30 less pellets. The 1/3/8 looks a lot better on a 30 inch circle at 30 yds. Saving $20 to give up more pellets in the circle isn't worth the savings. As far as recoil, in an auto loader, there really isn't any with a 20 gauge. I could shoot dove loads or 3 inch max loads thru my Benelli's and there is no noticeable recoil. A pump or over and under would be different but a 20 gauge auto loader is pretty soft shooting.
 
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