doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Upland Loads

Just for the sake of it, what loads do you use for Upland bird hunting? Partridge, Woodcock or Quail. Oh heck, Pheasants too. I am looking at buying some RST 12ga 2.5'' #10 Woodcock loads just to try this fall.

I use 7/8 oz. of #8s for quail, same for woodcock but would not hesitate to try #9s. Sometimes use 11/16 oz. of #8s in a .410 for quail.

Don't have grouse here, so I can't say about them. But, for doves I use 11/16 oz. to 7/8 oz. at least 98% of the time. I start out using #8s on doves, but in the late season, when the birds (doves) are more mature, tougher, and fly higher I go to 7 1/2s. Only once in 58 years of shooting doves have I seen the need for over an ounce of shot. That was a very unusual situation.

SRH

I own some of the RST #10s, but only because I buy a box of everything RST makes when introduced, just because. I certainly wouldn't shoot #10 at any game bird, even a woodcock. This box will stay on the gun room shelf.

for grouse, 7 1/2's for first shot. 6 's for hail mary second shot.

for pheasants, same idea, cept make it 6's an 5's.

The best 2.5" 12 ga phez load I've used is the B&P in #5. Actually, I like it for any modern 12 - even a 391.

Grouse and WC seasons overlap in ME, so I won't use anything smaller than #8. The low-velocity Hi-Phez in #7 is what I feed a Daly-Sauer.

Sam

Out here on the Plains where you don't know for sure what is going to get up in front of the dogs point in the early season I use a one ounce load of hard #7s in the first barrel of my 16 gauge and follow it up with a one ounce load of copper plated #6s in the second barrel. After the Pheasants start flushing wild I switch the 1 ounce load of #6s to a 1 1/8th ounce load of hard 6s. After a covey flush I will change to 7/8th ounce of hard 7 1/2s to shoot singles. We ain't got no stinking Woodcock here in Kansas.

For pheasant in my 12, depends on how open the area is. If it's a little close, I'll go with high brass 6 (1 1/4 oz., I think) in both barrels. I've got a box of the old Remington Duck and pheasant loads in 6 that I'm working on. Open it up a little and I'll go to the same load of 6 in the right, and of 4 in the left.

For grouse, it's usually 2 1/2DE- 1 ounce of 7 1/2 RST in both barrels. Sometimes a 2 1/2 DE - 1 oz. of 6 RGL in the left. If by chance I'm using the 16 for pheasant, I'll go with the RGL 6 in the right and a reworked RGL (change out the shot) with 4 in the left.

Woodcock, whatever's loaded for grouse.

I hunt North FL quail with 12 gauge RST 2.5, #8 shot, 3/4 oz loads.

Pheasant.....just depends on the location and circumstances at the time. South Dakota, Idaho and Oregon all a little different. A lot of #6 and #5 for Pheasants though. If I know its more huns and chuchars though it is mostly #6. Again, the loads vary. I shoot lighter loads in SD because its typically closer shots there for me as opposed to the shots/hunting in Idaho and Oregon.

One ounce of hard 7's for about anything flying. Pheasant and ducks I'll jump up to 5's. Given a choice I'd rather have one or two pellets penetrate deeply than a bunch of tiny pellets burying themselves in the flesh.

I agree with Joe. I have had too many wounded and fly away Quail with 8's. I don't use anything less than 7 1/2's for Quail or Chukar.Some of my Cajun friends use 7 1/2's for Ducks. but 5's or 6's are better.