Favorite upland loads?

[Jbotto]

I’ve pretty much used the same loads for years in MN pheasant and now WY chukar and pheasant. It’s been a Federal blue box 1-1/4oz load of 5 shot in a 2.75” 12ga. Results have been good but a bit hard of the meat side of birds. Especially the chukars.
I’ve shot these for years through a 870 Express with 28” barrel and a factory Modified choke. Originally paid $17.79/box, wish I could find them again!

What are your favorites load combinations? What do you use them for? Looking for a general discussion to get my head back around a shotgun a bit.

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

When I was hunting chukar a lot I had settled on the Estate high velocity hunting load. Sportsmans Warehouse gave a discount for buying by the case. It specs out the same as your Federal load but I liked #6 shot.

 

[Walkathon]

Runnings sells the below HV Dakota Country Pheasant. Says Federal cartridge on the side of the box. about $2-$3 less per box vs. branded Federal. It's what I use for Pheasants / Sharptails...

 

[MTLabrador]

I like Kent fast lead or Federal high velocity copper plated lead. 1 1/4 oz of 5s in 12 gauge and 1 oz of 6s in 20 gauge.

 

[Jbotto]

Runnings sells the below HV Dakota Country Pheasant. Says Federal cartridge on the side of the box. about $2-$3 less per box vs. branded Federal. It's what I use for Pheasants / Sharptails... View attachment 307888

I might have to look for some of these. Federal ammo lines have changed up enough recently and I don’t think they make the “blue box” shotgun load anymore. I wonder if this is it.

 

[Mica Man]

1 OZ of 7.5' or 6's for Chuckar depending on how well they are holding and what your current load for pheasants looks good.

 

[howl]

Win AA Super Sport 7.5s on the head works for me for anything where I'm allowed lead and can choose coming or passing. Small, hard and fast works.

When I am in a situation where body shots are required, I have no confidence in anything being regular nor predictable. So I buy what looks cool and whang away. I've put in effort to find pretty patterns only to watch said patterns engulf a bird that kept on flying.

 

[Jbotto]

Keep the suggestions coming! I’m still looking for something good that’s available locally.

 

[golfer]

I liked the results this fall I saw from Remington Nitro Pheasant #4’s.