Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean Romig
I shoot 7/8 oz. hand loads in my 16’s with either 7.5 or 8 shot. I shoot #6 shot at puddle ducks �� under 30 yards or so. Never have used #5 for anything, ever.
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I use 5's out of a 12 bore for early season and late season pheasants. I use only a 12 bore late in the season but early on I might use anything. I like to rotate my guns. The reason I use 5's on early season pheasants is because this is typically close range shooting and I have less pellets in the bird than with 6's. I don't shoot pen birds but I would imagine that 5's would be perfect for them also for the same reason. Shooting pen birds is a lot like early season wild bird hunting.
My perspective on shot loads for hunting is a bit different than others. If I am going to use 1 oz., I use a 16, 7/8 oz. I use a 20 and 3/4 for the 28 bore. For hunting I use the standard load for the gauge. If you're going to carry around a heavier 16 bore, you might as well use standard loads for it. I consider 1 oz. the standard load for a 16.
By the way, not to start a debate, but I would not take a 410 hunting. It has no use in the field in my perspective. The 28 bore, however, is a good hunting gun used within its limitations. It's not a serious game gun, but a seasoned and careful hunter can have a lot fun with it. The 410 shoots 3/4 oz. like crap. Put that 3/4 oz. in a 28 bore and you have a real gun.
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