Pheasant choke and ammo ?

If you are hunting over good dogs in tight cover, an improve cylinder is best and I like low brass #7.

If you are hunting thin cover where birds might flush far; a modified with #6 is good.

If you are hunting driven birds or a tower shoot, then I use a full choke with #4.

If you are hunting without dogs ( or marginal dogs) a modified with #6 is a good compromise.

I shoot 3-400 pheasants a year, and use one of three Remington 870 pump guns.  A ultra light 20 gauge 21" bbl for over dogs close, an 870 express with a 22 inch barrel w/poly-choke; and a Delux Wingmaster  with 30 inch full choke for tower shoots.

I love the 870s and shoot it for all birds; even though I have expensive doubles and all the guys in my group shoot o/u or autos.  They laugh, but I get more birds and usually make the best shot of the day afield.

I never shoot magnum loads even though most of my 870s are 3"chambers, just not needed.  I seem to see the young guys in my hunting group are more into magnum copper plated shellls...insecurity?  light field loads (1 1/8 oz) are fine, and I've killed tons of pheasants with trap loads in 7 1/2.

I like #5's but they are hard to find. I use mod/full in my double barrel 28ga. As Bear said if you have a specific way or place you are hunting you can adjust chokes and shot size but #6's and a Mod choke will be your best all around set-up. No need for 1 1/2 oz. or magnum loads.

DD

Igbo Foo wrote: As an all-round "it'll do", #6 lead shot & a modified choke.  Foo

Yes!

 I do like #5 in lead a bit better.

 If you Have to shoot NON -TOX, I use #4s or #3s if the wind is bad. There cheaper than your Bismuth shot like black cloud or Heave -shot.

deaddog wrote:

 There ain't any reel on the front of that thing ????