Get a shotgun with screw in chokes, as the choke you should use is dependant on what type or style of hunting you will do. Also will depend on the shell you are using.
As for loads anything from #6, 3/4 oz 28ga shells to 1-3/8 oz #4’s in 12 ga are used, heck I've seen a few guys run 1-5/8 oz #6’s in 3” 12 ga shells, but that’s pretty over the top in my eyes. I even had one friend running 5/8oz. 5’s in a .410, but he was a pretty accomplished hunter.
My personal favourite load when shooting pheasant was a 20 ga double choked IC under LM running a 1 oz load of #6’s, we were hunting paid released birds, and had a well trained dog as well.
For a 12, I’d look hard at 1-1/8 oz 6’s in nothing tighter than an LM choke, provided the pattern is consistent and not overly tight, if overly tight with a LM, I’d try an IC or Cyl tube. This of course is talking about a single barrelled gun.
You should pattern at 30 yds and expect a 30” spread containing 75% of the pellets minimum.
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There are no absolutes
Last edited by Dick284; 08-25-2019 at 07:05 AM.
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