Optimum Shot size in 20 ga-3" magnum

[Chukar Hunter]

In your opinion, for pheasants and sharptails, what is the optimum shot size in a 20ga 3" magnum in a F/M shotgun with shots taken at 45-55 yards? I have always used #5 shot size in my 12 ga but am curious to know if #6 would work better in a 20 ga with more pellets available.

[elkhunter11]

I use nickel plated #6 for all upland hunting, with all gauges.

[catnthehat]

I've used everything from 5's to 7's Plated And plain , and found that they all work .
Honestly I have not found much difference except maybe even the wind us up then I just use more shot !
If I am swinging well they drop. If I'm not I get bad looks from the dogs and lots of ribbing from my son!
Cat

[stob]

I have settled in over the years on #5's ... I currently run a 1oz WW load of #5's in my 28ga with M/F tubes for all upland.. I have used #6's but prefer the #5's

[Pioneer2]

Don't need 3" all I use is #4 or #5 -2 3/4" lead on pheasants this time of year they have their winter plumage that impedes penetration with soft or small shot sizes.

[wwbirds]

No need for 3 inch for upland. considering the effective killing range of a 20 gauge shotgun is 40 yards I think adding 3 inch and 55 yard shots will result in more cripples not more kills. I doubt choke, barrel length or shot size has nearly as much to do with killing them on the wing as a good sold hit with a balanced load.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by wwbirds

No need for 3 inch for upland. considering the effective killing range of a 20 gauge shotgun is 40 yards I think adding 3 inch and 55 yard shots will result in more cripples not more kills. I doubt choke, barrel length or shot size has nearly as much to do with killing them on the wing as a good sold hit with a balanced load.

And just like with waterfowl, some people want to extend their range by throwing more shot. The simple fact, is that many people can't properly place the pattern at 50+ yards.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And just like with waterfowl, some people want to extend their range by throwing more shot. The simple fact, is that many people can't properly place the pattern at 50+ yards.

I shoot at the same range with more shot when the wind is up not to extend my range .
Cat

[stob]

Originally Posted by wwbirds

No need for 3 inch for upland. considering the effective killing range of a 20 gauge shotgun is 40 yards I think adding 3 inch and 55 yard shots will result in more cripples not more kills. I doubt choke, barrel length or shot size has nearly as much to do with killing them on the wing as a good sold hit with a balanced load.

3" loads only add more pellets to the shot string. If you want to get a better load you have to square it off... the 16ga and 28ga are natural square loads ( bore size to shot charge etc)... you move a long ways from square with any 3" load in any scattergun ... if you want to improve your patterns you need to push your forcing cone(s) and run backbored choke tubes and then run premium tubes ... tubes I prefer are briley and mueller ... as always if you cannot centre the pattern on the bird all the tech etc won't help ya

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by stob

3" loads only add more pellets to the shot string. If you want to get a better load you have to square it off... the 16ga and 28ga are natural square loads ( bore size to shot charge etc)... you move a long ways from square with any 3" load in any scattergun ... if you want to improve your patterns you need to push your forcing cone(s) and run backbored choke tubes and then run premium tubes ... tubes I prefer are briley and mueller ... as always if you cannot centre the pattern on the bird all the tech etc won't help ya

Coincidentally, the gauges that I shoot are the 16 and 28. I don't run any choke tubes though, my upland guns are fixed chokes IC/IM.

[catnthehat]

"Square load" is not gauge specific however , there is a square load for any gauge of shotgun as per the gauge/shot charge
Cat

[shep dog]

Just my 2 cents...

In a 20ga., 1 1/4 ounces of #6 going 1300 FPS. In a 12ga., 1 1/2 ounces of #5 going 1300 FPS. The effective number for pellet count seems to be 250 or so.

Yeah, the "square load" argument for a 16ga. is silly math...somehow 1 ounce, being 1/16 of a pound, became a square load.

Good luck and happy hunting.

[32-40win]

When shooting lead I used #6 and a lot of 7-1/2 for upland, and loaded 2-3/4. I still have some 3" loads I may get around to using yet, most of those are #4, they were for waterfowl.
For waterfowl I like #3 in the 3".
I suspect a lot of people are like me, I suck at range estimation on a flying bird most days, but, I try to hold to inside 40 as that seems like a long shot to me, I pass on a lot of those.

[Pioneer2]

Survey of pheasant hunters most use mod choke and #5 shot.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by shep dog

Just my 2 cents...

In a 20ga., 1 1/4 ounces of #6 going 1300 FPS. In a 12ga., 1 1/2 ounces of #5 going 1300 FPS. The effective number for pellet count seems to be 250 or so.

Yeah, the "square load" argument for a 16ga. is silly math...somehow 1 ounce, being 1/16 of a pound, became a square load.

Good luck and happy hunting.

The square load as I understand it is having a shot column the same height as it is wide. Nothing to do with math.

[ward]

Originally Posted by Dick284

The square load as I understand it is having a shot column the same height as it is wide. Nothing to do with math.

It also shotgun myth. The normal 28 and 16 loads are not square. The shot column height exceeds bore in both. But it sounds good.

The 7/8 20 is actually closer to square but is not square.

[saskbooknut]

More shot in the pattern is good.
More range is not so hot.
If you ever patterned a 20 gauge with lead shot at 50 yards, you would give up on such foolishness.
At 50 to 55 yards you are counting on luck.
I'm with the guy who says 40 yards is far enough.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by saskbooknut

More shot in the pattern is good.
More range is not so hot.
If you ever patterned a 20 gauge with lead shot at 50 yards, you would give up on such foolishness.
At 50 to 55 yards you are counting on luck.
I'm with the guy who says 40 yards is far enough.

Totally absolutely agree!
Cat

[shep dog]

Originally Posted by Dick284

The square load as I understand it is having a shot column the same height as it is wide. Nothing to do with math.

I agree, the mythical square load has the same shot column height as the gauge of the barrel. Hence the term "square load." Iv'e never heard the term applied to anything but a 16ga.

My 2 cents...1 1/8oz. of #6 will get the job done in a 16ga.

It has everything to do with math...how many pellets are you sending down range? IMHO, 250 pellets is the number, #5 or #6, out of a 12, 16. or 20ga.

My hat is off to the gentlemen/women shooting 28's. Far better gunners than me.

[stob]

nailed it

[stob]

Originally Posted by Dick284

The square load as I understand it is having a shot column the same height as it is wide. Nothing to do with math.

nailed out - lol

[catnthehat]

Squared loads and drams equivalent stem from the same era, and is not really as important these days as many think it is- unless you are shooting black powder guns.
If it did, nothing more than 3/4 oz in a 28 gauge would be useful.
The square load in a 12 gauge these days is something I go nowhere near!
Cat

[Dick284]

Good Lord!

1 oz of 7-1/2’s or 6’s is all you need!

Wanna hammer birds at 55 yds!
Give yer beany bag a good shake.