Richard, max I load for 12g is 1 oz for hunting or clays. As Daryl said, keep it to 1200 FPS or less. Most of my loading is in the 1150-1180 range. I've never lost a target or a bird because my shells were under 1200 FPS. Your stocks will thank you. If you don't have 1 oz wads, you can use filler wad under your shot to build up the column enough to achieve a good crimp.

Can I get your thoughts on useing lead , nickle plated lead , or copper
Is it worth paying the extra money for nickle plated
I’ve been using them , I got a friend who says I’m crazy to buy that when copper is everybit or better and way less money ,

I’ve up my shot also to a min of #6 and I’m my 20 gauge , it’s #4
These wild rooster are tough and get away from me fast ,

Richard, all I use for clays or upland is lead. I use ITX for waterfowl and TSS for turkey.

Most plated shot is very much the hardness of good lead.

Most pheasants are relatively easy to drop with no. 6 shot on a crossing shot. Going away shots are a whole nother story. If you shoot them in the back going away you need to anchor them with a well placed load of no. 4.





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Agreed. :clap:

What is the hype about useing nickle plated shot on pheasants ,
They say it just penetrates better and kills harder

My thoughts of not having a dog to hunt over , these wild rooster are getting up most times like 20 yards in front of me and then it’s a going away shot at 35 to 40 yards , I’m talking late fall or like now , they spooky ,

More choke, not plated shot.