Opinions wanted on best type of shotgun to use for pheasant hunting?
I’ve heard various hunters say which gauge of shotgun is best to use when hunting pheasant.
I personally use a 12 gauge, but wanted others opinions on different shotgun gauges (16, 20, etc).
Thanks for your opinion!
Tagged with: 12 gauge • hunting • pheasant • shotgun
Filed under: best shotgun
All things considered, the 12 gauge is the best. It is superior ballistically to the others. The same amount of shot will have a shorter column of shot in a 12, a shorter shot string, etc.
That being said, the difference is very slight, and all you mentioned will get the job done. Use the one you like best.
I personally like the 16ga. Not that it is any better for pheasant than a 12 or 20 (Or a 28ga for that matter!). The 16ga has always held a very special place in my heart and lends a little class to those who carry and use one.
I use them all.* Its not the gun or gauge, but the man behind the gun.* It really comes down to ones personal preference.* I like to use them all myself.* In the final analysis if you are on target it doesn’t really matter what you are using to Hunt with.*
If you want to kill wild birds, go with the 12ga — every single time.
If you want people to think you’re some type of semi-professional — go lower.
Unless you’re hunting pen birds, more likely than not the bird is going to get up 30-40 yards away. And you need those high brass 12ga shells for 50 yard shots.
I have one shotgun a 12 gauge Pump and I make it any thing it needs to be. Is there a perfect bird gun? no. In Ohio you hunt from a snipe to a deer and can only use a shotgun if your not the land owner.
12 g gun is the best, get Remington or Beretta.you best choice
12 gauge, 28 inch barrel with modified or full choke.
If I were going to buy a shotgun for pheasant hunting and if I could afford it, I would buy a 12ga. Browning over and under and never look back. You could buy one in a different gauge but the Browning is an awesome gun!
i use both a 12 and 20 guage 870 wingmaster. i like 20 these days as i had surgery on my shoulder last fall and i am not supose to be shooting yet, but i take my dog and her puppy out a couple times a week to walk the road ditches and corn fields for some pheasants. i get just as many pheasants with the 20ga as i do with the 12ga. a friend of mine cant even shoot a 20ga, he uses a 28ga or a 410 and he gets plenty of birds. it really comes down to how well you aquire your targets.
I have used a Ruger Red Label O/U 12ga. & Remington’s 11-78 12ga. My son has used a Browning BPS Upland Special (straight stock) 20ga.
Loads we use may very do to where we may hunt, #4 and or #6 shot.