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Forums10
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Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 687 Likes: 48
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 687 Likes: 48 |
When I was shooting a 20ga Browniing Lightning IC/IM the Fiocchi 2 3/4" 5's was my favorite and was deadly on wild MT and SD pheasants over our pointers. After going 12ga(it was lighter) I shot B&P High Pheasant 1oz 6's with no loss of effectiveness. Good dogs are more important that the load you shoot, the better the dog the easier shots you will have. Wild Northeastern MT Birds, lightweight 12, 1oz 6's, super dog
Last edited by oskar; 08/08/21 09:18 AM.
After the first shot the rest are just noise.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97 |
cept wise ole cock birds used to run like hell at the sound of ah dawgs bell...they new watt came next...bang, bang! they usually flushed out at about 50 yards, just out uv range... and one often heard a cackle, cackle sort of laughter, as they glided over to the next corn field, which was usually on the other side of a pond or a bog... https://www.flickr.com/photos/gerbosma/14052632976
Last edited by ed good; 08/08/21 09:41 PM.
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 390 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 390 Likes: 8 |
It’s been several decades (3) since I hunted wild pheasants. The group I had the pleasure to tag along with used 16 and 20 ga. Guns. I was the only guy out of 5 with a 12, so naturally I felt over gunned.
I used 1 1/8oz of 7.5 shot backed up with 1 1/2oz of 6s. We hunted over a couple pointers, and most birds were taken within 30-40 yards. I know One of the other guys was using 7.5 shot out of his 16. I believe all the other hunters were using 6s but it’s been to long to be 100-percent certain. However, I am pretty sure 6s were the choice of payload for this group.
The birds seemed to be everywhere and no matter what you were shooting, Roosters fell just as dead with the 20s and 16s as they did with my 12.
I remember being ribbed on using a 12 and hopefully I don’t run out of ammo as no one can loan me any shells. I took it as good humor and started to panic as I missed the first couple birds and the poking and ribbing continued until I got into my swing on getting on the gun.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,002 Likes: 65
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,002 Likes: 65 |
Four setters, hmm. I have a friend with setters and he tends to go with a 12 gauge with a big load of 4's. I call them his "setter loads." He needs to break down the birds to up his chances of finding them. My point is that setters are not known as excellent game recovery dogs, and some owners will ramp up their loads based on this, although they either purposely fail to admit it, or are clueless to what a good recovery dog can do. Last year in South Dakota, and not on managed lands I used my 16 gauge double with good quality loads, in my case B&P 1 1/16 oz. 5's. My drahthaar recovered all 17 birds we put down. My partner had a 12, but he's not a good shot, and fringes most what he hits. I killed most of the birds. Just my observations over time.
Dave
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,815 Likes: 194
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,815 Likes: 194 |
Exactly my observation with #5s & Drahts. We hunt in the thickest of the thick in Kansas. I typically don a 12 bore but with 2 lads in tow I have started wielding a 20(3") bore drilling w/ short tubes. Typically I shoot 1 oz of #5 Diamond Shot Kents but if it is really thick I keep a few 3" 1 1/4 oz in my kit. I have found that I can aide the Boys Ellenburg with the shorter tubes than longer cartridges.
I have always had pattern issues w/ fixed choke Citoris & large shot. Smaller shot performs well. Also, I have noted more feather draw with the Fiocchi Nickel plated shot.
Serbus,
Raimey rse
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,038 Likes: 48
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,038 Likes: 48 |
Fellas, even Herr Flammenwerfur auf Vermont-- any truth to the rumor that Fiocchi shells are known for having hard primers? Local dealer has 2 boxes of 12 ga. Fiocchi 1 ounce No. 8 target loads at $8.99/box- price sounds good in today's market, but just wonderin?? RWTF None. I have no idea how shit like that starts.
"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,990 Likes: 302
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,990 Likes: 302 |
Your concerns are unwarranted. Your instincts are fine. I run setters The only accommodations I make are purely for my own comfort, and that would be, if a bird is flying out over a swale I don’t shoot it. I stay away from 4’s in lead loads. Any close or incoming birds get pulped. If I’m shooting on an area that requires non-lead ammunition, if I am not shooting bismuth, I will use a 12 gauge that is steel ready. And go down two shot sizes for convenience. It’s not my preference. 3” 1 1/4 oz 20ga cartridges are lower velocity and don’t seem to perform for me as well as 1oz cartridges do. RST’s 1oz #5 or #6 loads drop plenty of birds for me in most any gauge. Here are some I shot in Nebraska in January, that should be late enough season.
Last edited by ClapperZapper; 08/08/21 11:05 AM.
Out there doing it best I can.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 195 Likes: 17
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 195 Likes: 17 |
I’ve used Fiocchi shotgun and handgun ammunition over the years and never noticed any problems.
12gauge field loads and 500 rounds of .45 ACP, IIRC.
“When faith is lost, when honor dies, the man is dead” - John Greenleaf Whittier
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,764 Likes: 756
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,764 Likes: 756 |
I’ve been universally disappointed with the patterns of 1 1/4 of 4 shot out of 12 gauge guns with less than a modified choke. I like the idea of #4 shot running into pheasants, I don’t like the idea that there are but 168 pellets in that load.
Some Setters aren’t good downed game finders. Some are splendid, and a few can make a lab look incompetent on retrieve. That said, I’ve spent a lifetime comparing the nose on a typical Setter to anything else that runs, and have made my own decision on which is best. I have lost count of the number of times I’ve put a Setter in a field a lab just worked, and ended up moving birds.
YMMV.
Best, Ted
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,983 Likes: 106
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,983 Likes: 106 |
Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 20 gauge shells are awesome. A bud of mine hunts Ruffed Grouse and that’s all he uses, but in 7 1/2 shot. Killers for sure. Remington Express 20 gauge shells are great too.
Socialism is almost the worst.
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