Pheasant Season Is Just Around The Corner

I must apologize for the laxness in the updating of my blog. There is no excuse, BUT, Pheasant and Quail hunting season is approaching. And since I reload for myself and several others I have been busy reloading shotgun shells for our “safaris” to Kansas and it keeps me pretty darn busy.

Pheasant and Quail hunting is a passion for me and rates slightly below fly fishing. Besides I need the feathers for my fly tying attempts. Most of you are cognizant of the fact that Pheasant feathers and Peacock Herl are absolute necessities!


In my opinion they are probably the two most fish attracting materials of ALL TIME!!!

For those of you that reload your own shotgun shells I thought I would pass on a couple of reloading recipes that work exceptionally well for the fanatical crew that accompany me in the pursuit of these fantastic birds in some of the most heinous weather that you can imagine. We hunt in west central and southwest Kansas and the weather runs the gamut from 80° and no wind to below zero with winds in excess of 30 mph.

In spite of these conditions it sho’ ’nuff is fun.

For Pheasants I load mostly #7 shot for opening week end as the critters are not conditioned to the onslaught yet. #7 shot is sometimes hard to locate locally. If you have a problem finding it there are two on-line companies that sell this size they are:

 Midway USA @ http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?tabId=1&categoryId=19965&categoryString=9315***11462***9502***19963***&refineSearchKeywordDisplay=lead+shot+%237&refineSearchKeyword=lead+shot+%237

And Gamaliel Shooting Supply @

http://www.gamaliel.com/cart/product.php?productid=3388&cat=403&page=1

From Thanksgiving through the end of January when the birds are wilder I load and hunt progressively larger shot from #6 through #4. Size #6 shot ist the one that I shhot the most.

The following recipes are my favorite 12 Gauge Hunting loads:

Winchester 2 ¾” AA 12 Ga

Shot: 1 1/4oz

Powder: Winchester Super Field

Grains: 29.5

Bushing: #30 = 29.5

Primer: WIN 209

Wad: Claybuster CB1114-12 

(Replacement for the discontinued Winchester WAA12F114 For use in 1-1/8 to 1-1/4 oz. loads. Performs best in tapered hulls, Remington or Winchester.)

 Velocity: 1330 fps = 907 mph

Pressure: 10,600 psi

Remington Premier 2 ¾” 12 Ga

Shot: 1 1/4oz

Powder: Longshot

Grains: 30.1

Bushing: 30 = 30.1

Primer: WIN 209

Wad: CB-1114-12

Velocity: 1385 fps = 944 mph

Pressure: 10,400 psi

The following recipes are my favorite 20 Gauge Hunting loads:

Winchester 2 ¾” AA 20 Ga

Shot: 1oz

Powder: HS-7

Grains: 24.5

Bushing: #20 = 24.5

Primer: WIN 209

Wad: REM SP20

Velocity: 1220 fps = 831 mph

Pressure: 10,300 psi

Remington Premier          2 ¾” 20 Ga

Shot: 1oz

Powder: Blue Dot

Grains: 24.0

Bushing: #26 = 23.7

Primer: REM 209P

Wad: REM SP20

Velocity: 1220 fps = 831 mph

Pressure: 11,100 psi

Remington Premier 2 ¾” 20 Ga

Shot: 1oz

Powder: HS-6

Grains: 21.6

Bushing: #18 = 21.6

Primer: REM 209P

Wad: CB1078-20 

(Replacement for the discontinued Winchester WAA20 F1 For use in 7/8 to 1-1/4 oz. skeet, sporting clays or hunting loads. Versatile for most hulls depending on powder volume.)

Velocity: 1220 fps = 831 mph

Pressure: 11,700 psi

If you “roll” your own shotgun shells give these a try!

Good Huntin’ an' Fishin’.