20 Gauge: 2 3/4 or 3 inch shells?

[CjMelendrez]

What is your preferred shell length and shot size for upland birds like quail, huns, chukar and grouse? I found a deal on 2 3/4 and 3 inch 20 gauge shells with either 5 or 6 size shot. Leaning towards lead, but will buy steel if convinced.

 

[rbutcher1234]

if pheasant isn’t on the menu, I’d do lead 7.5. Since that wasn’t in your poll, 2 3/4 6.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Wild birds or stocked?

 

[CjMelendrez]

if pheasant isn’t on the menu, I’d do lead 7.5. Since that wasn’t in your poll, 2 3/4 6.

I don't chase pheasant often so I can buy a couple boxes when needed. I'll take note of the 7.5 comment!

 

[CjMelendrez]

Wild birds or stocked?

wild birds only

 

[dtrkyman]

2 3/4 6 or 7.5 for smaller than pheasant only really use 6 for Blue grouse, pheasant 5 and 6. Always used a copper plated lead round.

All about the patterns your gun throws, buy a box of each you are interested in and pattern them, some shine some are poor, most are adequate!

 

[lil' bear]

Id get a couple boxes of 3 inch # 5 and several boxes of 2 3/4 #6

 

[jml49]

2 3/4" 7 1/2

 

[EmperorMA]

I use 2 3/4" #8 on Valley Quail, and typically use 2 3/4" #6 on Huns and Chukar which I find together more often than not. Those same #6 loads work for early season pheasants that are holding for the pointing dogs.

If I am hunting on the prairies and the birds (Sharpies and Huns) are holding, I use 2 3/4" #7.5. If they are getting up at the edge of range, I move up to #6.

When pheasants get spooky, that is what a few boxes of #5 shot are for. I haven't seen much of a difference between 2 3/4" and 3" loads but if you get a deal on them, then I'd just grab 3" as more shot in the air probably can't hurt anything other than your shoulder.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Yeah I tend towards larger shot for wild birds, especially later in the season when they tend to flush further out. I've killed a few stocked pheasants this year with 2 3/4 #6 lead. Probably would not use 7 1/2 for wild pheasants at any time of year. The other birds you mention tend to be much smaller, so penetration is less of an issue

 

[TSAMP]

Ive always liked 3" shells in my 20. I shoot 6s at pheasant most the year. I switch to 5s when I run out of 6s.

 

[peterk123]

Don't know if this will help but I'm using 7.5 2 3/4 with a 12 gauge for grouse and huns. I think the velocity is around 1300 fps. Got a couple last week, and man they spook early. But it nocked them right down.

 

[horpensky]

Mostly 2-3/4" 6, but also have used 7.5.