1500 fps +

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Reading an article this morning in the PDJ on hunting prairie grouse in the Nebraska Sandhills, the author recommends loads of at least 1500 fps. Wondering if they also need to be Kryptonite coated. Thought you guys that hunt the plains states a lot might want to know that, jeeze, wonder what he shoots at pheasants?

[Mills Morrison]

Would there be much left of the birds? From my recent trip to South Dakota, the normal stuff works just fine

[Brett Hoop]

Harold

I haven’t read that article yet, I did read Frank’s and a couple others. But yesterday we patterned Kurt’s new Tristar 28ga. When he bought it day before yesterday there wasn’t a lot of ammo to pick from at Cabelas or the Walmart at the Hilltop. No AA target some Super target or some such, but all of it 1300fps. I guess we were lucky to find 3/4 oz. load. I never knew there were so many 1oz. loads for 28ga., the shot string on that stuff must be like a .410.

Let’s just say the patterns with the Beretta chokes the Tristar uses, and the 1300fps ammo aren’t what I am use to seeing out of my Parker 28ga. and 1175fps, RST 5/8oz loads.

I think the speed is blowing holes in the patterns.

[Phil Yearout]

My nephew's been wanting a 20ga O/U and finally found what he wanted this year; a Rizinni I think it is. So what did one of his hunting buddies recommend? Prairie Storm 3", 1-1/4 ounce 5's :shock:! I can't even imagine what the FPS is on those puppies! Fortunately he's sticking to 2-3/4" 1 ounce loads, for now anyway :whistle:.

[Daniel Carter]

Many people are in love with technology, hoping it can short cut their way to success rather than the hard way of being a better shot and hunter.
It seems to be the American way today in our tech society that we look for the quick fix.
We who go for the old things have a different perspective and do not understand it.

[Jerry Parise]

I have to say that 1500 FPS is just absurd. It seems that American hunters have been duped into thinking that faster and more powerful is better. I can understand that some areas are non tox only, but, even in those areas, when shooting steel shot at 1425 fps is fine and even at that speed the shells give quite a wallop. In areas that lead can be used I have never felt the need for anything greater than a 20 ga. shell throwing 1 oz. of lead #6 at 1200 fps for all prairie birds.

[Daryl Corona]

Every year heading out west I stop in the Cabelas in Mitchell, SD. It's been so long I can remember when they broke ground for that location and how wonderful it was to stop there. We all know those days are gone.

As I cruise the aisles for a bargain I see some nimrod pushing a shopping cart filled with new clothes, boots and ammo. I glance down at the ammo selection he has and I swear to you I've seen on more than one occaision he has 12 ga., 1 3/8oz loads of #4 lead in 3 inch magnum. I act like this is mky first hunt out there and look him straight in the eye and ask him "just how big are the pheasants out here"? He will mumble something to the effect of how tough these wild birds are. Most of these dudes are hunting stocked birds but don't know it.

Yes, anything over 1200fps is ridiculous but it sells ammo.:banghead:

[Dean Romig]

Many people are in love with technology, hoping it can short cut their way to success rather than the hard way of being a better shot and hunter.
It seems to be the American way today in our tech society that we look for the quick fix.
We who go for the old things have a different perspective and do not understand it.


You nailed it Craig!!





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[Dean Romig]

But at 1,500 FPS you sure don’t need to guess at the lead (forward allowance) you need - just hold on the beak at crossing screamers.





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[Michael Moffa]

I used to shoot International skeet on a regular basis. For the second dbls shot on 3,4 and 5 I loaded 1 1/8 oz of Long Shot at 1550 fps. Holy Crap did that pulverize the bird and leads were cut by 25% at least. Only used three shells per round and warned the squad mates of what was coming. BABOOOOM!!!! I would not recommend doing this on real birds.

[todd allen]

Reading an article this morning in the PDJ on hunting prairie grouse in the Nebraska Sandhills, the author recommends loads of at least 1500 fps. Wondering if they also need to be Kryptonite coated. Thought you guys that hunt the plains states a lot might want to know that, jeeze, wonder what he shoots at pheasants?

That's just simply BS! I've killed a lot of pheasants with an oz of 5s @ 1100 fps.
Almost seems like there could be a1500 fps load manufacturer in the payola business with outdoor writers.
Speed kills guns and shoulders.

[Richard Flanders]

The Brits figured out long ago that there's little if any need for loads of more than 1100fps, and those guys shot a LOT of birds on their drives. I never load anything over 1200fps, not even for ducks at long range. 1500+fps is clearly absurd. It's the same for what folks load rifles for these days. They take a 165 - 180gr bullet and send it downrange at 3000+fps... what are they hunting? - Tyrannosaurus Rex??? All those fast bullets do is destroy a lot of perfectly good meat. I threw away 50# of moose neck meat once that my hunting companion ruined with 6 shots from a .25-06. There was little but bloody mush left. Ok, I'm done... sorry. Just a pet peeve of mine. I hunt to eat; if all the meat tastes like liver, what's the point?

[Bill Jolliff]

Reading an article this morning in the PDJ on hunting prairie grouse in the Nebraska Sandhills, the author recommends loads of at least 1500 fps. Wondering if they also need to be Kryptonite coated. Thought you guys that hunt the plains states a lot might want to know that, jeeze, wonder what he shoots at pheasants?

Harold or someone, what is "PDJ"?

Thank you.

[Shane Jennings]

Harold or someone, what is "PDJ"?

Thank you.

Pointing Dog Journal, I assume

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Yes, Pointing Dog Journal, a good magazine, and one I've taken since its inception. The article was otherwise interesting and informative. I have never hunted prairie grouse, but hope to in the next few years . I'm sure he was shooting those thru an auto. I hate recoil, and maybe those shells would help me take an extra bird or two on a hunting trip but I'll pass.