Reloading for Pheasant help

G

Gun Jammin Gary

New member
I'm in need of a little assistance. Recently, I've been hunting pheasant with a 20 gauge with 3" Fiocchi #6 shot which is 1200 FPS. When it's hard to find #6 shot, I use #5 shot. I want to reload using #6 shot however I cannot find any load data for those 3" hulls. I've read a lot of threads where guys are using 2 3/4 Winchester AA and they say that it'll work. So, I have a few questions:
1. Is it easier to use 2 3/4" hulls?
2. Should I step up to a 1250 FPS load or can I stick with 1200 FPS if I use 2 3/4" hulls?
3. Is 8 1/2" shot more for skeet or can I use them for birds too? I think I know the answer to this but want confirmation.
Sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to reload anything and waste product without getting some confirmation on this. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
I'm not a reloaded but some info you'll need consider or provide so the smart guys here can help you.
You don't indicate a payload ie how much weight/volume of shot your loads have and is that the same payload you want to keep?
Your final question 8.5 is too small for wild pheasants, unless you are shooting TSS. I wouldn't even use it for game farm birds.
 
GladHunter said:
I'm not a reloaded but some info you'll need consider or provide so the smart guys here can help you.
You don't indicate a payload ie how much weight/volume of shot your loads have and is that the same payload you want to keep?
Your final question 8.5 is too small for wild pheasants, unless you are shooting TSS. I wouldn't even use it for game farm birds.
Click to expand...
I’m not concerned about payload at the moment as I don’t believe that matters yet. I have formulas from the Alliant guide for 2 3/4 payload, but nothing shows for 3”
 
You will need to purchase load data form Ballistic Products online for the 3 inch hull You can just pay and download load the loads you want. Or you can reach out to Hodgdon Powders directly and see if they will give you load data for the hull, wad and primer you choose to use. I would be very careful with load data taken from any forum.
 
Hardly worth it to reload shells for hunting. If you shoot a lot of skeet trap sc then maybe. I stopped using 3 inch 20 about 20 years ago. I found the 2 3/4 to be more than adequate. 5,s is better than 6 for pheasant unless you’re into quail as well. Later some seasoned hunters will use 4. I have also stacked 4 over 5 in an ou. The magic number is an oz of lead at 1200 plus in a 20 or 28. That will kill all the birds you need. I’m over 100 this season with that recipe. Back when I did shoot 3 I damaged a gun. I would get bruised shoulder. I actually shot much better when I went 2 3/4 only. I have found the fiochi golden pheasant to be the best shell. I think the nickel plating keeps the shot more uniform. I know not what you’re asking but you came asking for advice that’s the best I can give you and it’s free
 
Jpace said:
You will need to purchase load data form Ballistic Products online for the 3 inch hull You can just pay and download load the loads you want. Or you can reach out to Hodgdon Powders directly and see if they will give you load data for the hull, wad and primer you choose to use. I would be very careful with load data taken from any forum.
Click to expand...
The load date I have is taken directly from reputable resources, Alliant, IMC, etc.
 
Mrben said:
Hardly worth it to reload shells for hunting. If you shoot a lot of skeet trap sc then maybe. I stopped using 3 inch 20 about 20 years ago. I found the 2 3/4 to be more than adequate. 5,s is better than 6 for pheasant unless you’re into quail as well. Later some seasoned hunters will use 4. I have also stacked 4 over 5 in an ou. The magic number is an oz of lead at 1200 plus in a 20 or 28. That will kill all the birds you need. I’m over 100 this season with that recipe. Back when I did shoot 3 I damaged a gun. I would get bruised shoulder. I actually shot much better when I went 2 3/4 only. I have found the fiochi golden pheasant to be the best shell. I think the nickel plating keeps the shot more uniform. I know not what you’re asking but you came asking for advice that’s the best I can give you and it’s free
Click to expand...
Anyone can buy rounds for hunting. I enjoy reloading plus I have all the equipment. To me, it’s more enjoyable knowing I took the game with a round I made.
2 3/4 seems to be the go to choice for hunting pheasant and this is what I’m trying to decide on; sticking with 3” or drop down to 2 3/4”. I believe my fiocci 3” are 1 1/4 oz of lead @1200 FPS. Most 2 3/4 loads I’ve seen are saying 7/8 oz of lead, but still 1200 FPS. So, it it enough, I don’t know. Trying to gather info.
Yes, I too have seen that nickel plating is more uniform.
 
hodgdon has tons or 7/8 and 1 oz loads on their website. I personally mainly shoot 1 oz 20 gauge loads but do have a few 1-1/4 3 inchers in my pocket for late season pheasants. The 3 inchers of 6’s are tight patterning hammers.
 
Like others have stated, the lack of suitable powders/wads is the problem. Also, most of the ball powders now available are not good when the temps drop. I load some lite 12 ga loads for hunting in O/U's, but only load 20's for skeet/clays. A 20 ga 1 oz. at 1200 can be done, using strait-wall hulls, special wads from BPI, and Longshot powder.
 
I think it is Lyman that publishes the big shotgun reloading manual. As you know, care needs to be taking to match the correct components in shot shell reloading. You have a certain hull already, so you will be looking for recipes for that certain hull....the wad, powder and primers will need to sourced after that. I don't think my manual is the latest edition, but I will try to remember to check my manuals for that "20 gauge 3" Fiocchi hull".
I also get enjoyment shooting limits of birds with my reloads that cost me way less that $10/box, by acquiring the components on the the cheap...I shoot 12 gauge, so components are much easier acquired.
 
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