Hutcho
Active member
I've had good luck using them in 16ga. Wasn't my first choice but you take what you can find right now, especially 16ga
Here's my ammo stash at this point in time
- Thread starter Bob Peters
- Start date
BritChaser
Well-known member
'Bout what I have too.
Actually, many loads will work just fine, including (especially!) 16 gauge and 20 gauge loads with hard shot and reasonable (1200FPS or better) velocity. To quote Bob Brister from "Shotgunning: The Art and Science"--it's not hitting them hard, but HITTING them, that makes the difference.
I'd also add--hitting them in the right place-the front end.
I'd also add--hitting them in the right place-the front end.
This guy gets it!
kick them up
Active member
We called them copper coated thigh buster. Bought 10 flats a while back and down to my last two boxes for #5's but got a flat of Agulia #6 inbound now.
I'm the type that would be pretty nervous is that small pile of loads was all I had going into fall.
Last winter being retired and just out of Carpal Tunnel surgery on both hands I was looking for something to keep me busy that wasn't too hard on the hands. Had most of a flat of Golden Pheasant #5's for my 391 12 ga, my main pheasant getter. Started thinking though, I really like carrying my SxS 16 Dickinson Estate and it just feels right in the uplands. Dug out the loader and components for 1 1/8 oz nickle plated 5's and got started filling boxes. Couldn't keep at it too long at a time, so I spread it out over a few days. About the time I ran out of shot I started counting. Whoa, 30 boxes plus some 6's. Guess I'll carry the 16 more for awhile.
Last winter being retired and just out of Carpal Tunnel surgery on both hands I was looking for something to keep me busy that wasn't too hard on the hands. Had most of a flat of Golden Pheasant #5's for my 391 12 ga, my main pheasant getter. Started thinking though, I really like carrying my SxS 16 Dickinson Estate and it just feels right in the uplands. Dug out the loader and components for 1 1/8 oz nickle plated 5's and got started filling boxes. Couldn't keep at it too long at a time, so I spread it out over a few days. About the time I ran out of shot I started counting. Whoa, 30 boxes plus some 6's. Guess I'll carry the 16 more for awhile.
515wingshooter
Active member
Anecdotally these have been my go to's over the years. I shoot a 12 ga Franchi Affinity 28". Last year I kept IC choke in the whole season. By far the best knock down rate and kill rate of any of the other ammunition used in the past(Winchester Super Pheasant, Federal Premium Varieties, Fiochhi Golden Pheasants etc).
gimruis
Well-known member
I use an IC choke all season too. Almost all of my shots are within 30 yards though. If I was taking longer shots I might consider switching to a modified choke.
birddude
Well-known member
Dang that's to bad that you reloaded to many... I guess I could do you a favor and take some of those off your hands..
Bob Peters
Well-known member
Here's an updated picture. I don't plan on buying anymore...unless I actually see #5's in stock somewhere
. There's a good supply of shells at all the stores I've been to in MN recently. There's no way I could blow through all this ammo in a season, but I'm gonna try!
P.S. I'm not a retired grandpa who hunts 5 days a week, if I was I'd keep adding to the stash.
. There's a good supply of shells at all the stores I've been to in MN recently. There's no way I could blow through all this ammo in a season, but I'm gonna try!P.S. I'm not a retired grandpa who hunts 5 days a week, if I was I'd keep adding to the stash.
Munster927
Well-known member
What are those shells in the clear containers in the top right? Boss?Here's an updated picture. I don't plan on buying anymore...unless I actually see #5's in stock somewhere
P.S. I'm not a retired grandpa who hunts 5 days a week, if I was I'd keep adding to the stash.
Bob Peters
Well-known member
Yeah that's what they are. They're not keen on sending out many boxes when you order shells from them. So I ordered a case about 14 months ago and only got 2 boxes. Their boxes are only 20 shells each and not 25, which although a small thing, it is annoying to me. I ordered 5s, wish I would have done 4s.
remy3424
Well-known member
You will not be able to shoot those all in one season chasin pheasants....unless you hunt every day, ingnore possession limits AND are a teribble shot....I trust none of those are fitting. Stock up went the price comes down, guessing there will be sales prior to season this year.
Bob Peters
Well-known member
remy3424
Well-known member
Maybe Ole (KS) shoots at a lot of quail also or gets a round of clays in a few times a week. I see the post, maybe he fits all 3 requirements. Here in Iowa we have a 3 bird daily limit and 12 bird possession limit, even if you go out twice a week all season (22 outings), and hunt until you get a 3 bird limit (maybe 6-7-8 shots, if you aren't a good shot) you should be good for 2 years (likely less than 7 boxes of 25)! I think Ole is trying to get you riled up. Relax and stock-up when Scheels has a sale a week or 2 before the seasons start. I load my own and load so I have 5-6 boxes ready and that will be enough to get me through season, I hunt about 25 outings per season. I only hunt pheasants with these loads.
~200 Kent Tunsten Matrix 1-1/4 ounce 5's
~280 Boss bismuth 1 ounce 5's
~35 Handloads of 1-1/4 ounce nickel plated #5
and a mish-mash of 1-1/8 ounce lead in 4, 5 and 6
A decent batch of 16 gauge loads. I wonder how many years it'll take me to shoot these up? But, I think as I use these up I will switch completely to the 1 ounce Boss bismuth loads. Their performance has been excellent and I don't have to worry about switching around non-tox and lead.
UplandHntr
Well-known member
westksbowhunter
Well-known member
That's what I paid. However, I am done stashing ammo. There is nothing to shoot at here in Kansas. If hunting was decent, I have enough ammo for 10 years.