My hunting load in Eastern Kansas has been 7 1/2 with some #8 spreader loads. I carry a pair of 6's in case, but given I have only had one pheasant shot amidst hundreds of quail in the last few years, it does not make since to stay loaded for pheasant. In Western Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota I go 6's in the right and 5's in the left.
I have a had a good supply of some lawrence copper fives (from 1988) that will soon run out and I have been using up some old BPI Nickel silver from 1990. The new stuff I got from BPI last fall is definitely not as good quality. My only regret is back in the 1980's I had seen this coming and hoarded more shot.
I only go through one to two boxes of 6's and one or less of 5's a season and several boxes of 7 1/2 on wild birds. On preserve birds I am not as picky but try to stay stay with current BPI nickel 8's and 7 1/2. I shoot the nickel as it has less feather draw into the wounds.
I used to 7's but in recent years I have not, I still have a bottle and a bag of it.
I guess what I am hearing is that Lawrence magnum is my best bet for hardness.
Last edited by old colonel; 01/12/12 12:57 PM.
