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Posted By: ksauers1 20ga 2 1/2” for pheasants? - 09/15/21 05:05 PM
Any of you guys use this and how does the 2 1/2” 20 compare to a 2” 12? Loads seem pretty similar
Posted By: LeFusil Re: 20ga 2 1/2” for pheasants? - 09/15/21 05:10 PM
Very similar on the stat line. Very different (in my experience) on the pattern board. The .729 bore will handle larger shot better than the 20 bore all day. Patterns will be much better with the 12 bore. In my experience the standard 20 bore doesn’t pattern #5 shot very well at all. It does ok with #6 shot. The 12 bore will be much more versatile with different shot sizes.
Posted By: Researcher Re: 20ga 2 1/2” for pheasants? - 09/15/21 09:05 PM
While most of our ammunition companies put up their progressive burning powder, high velocity, 20-gauge, 1 ounce load in a 2 3/4 inch or longer shell, Winchester also stuffed the load in a 2 1/2 inch case --

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

probably because there were so many sportsmen in the marketplace with their Model 1912 20-gauges made for the 2 1/2 inch shell.
Posted By: Mark II Re: 20ga 2 1/2” for pheasants? - 09/16/21 12:43 AM
It comes down to the difference in the guns. If the 20 is light and fast you make up for a bit patchier pattern. If the 12 is heavier, it may be slower. Because of injury I used a light open choked LC Smith 20 late one year because it was the lightest gun I had. Killed wild birds in the snow as well as my 12's but it was easy to over power the swing and stop. Either over pointing dogs will work if you do your part.
Posted By: L. Brown Re: 20ga 2 1/2” for pheasants? - 09/17/21 11:20 AM
Snow--assuming it's not to the point you can't walk in it--will sometimes produce very close flushes. Pheasants scattered around in heavy grass covered with snow: You'll often need to give them a boost with your boot to get them to flush.

On the other hand, when winter weather pushes pheasants into pockets of cover like cattails, you need to use a stealthy approach. Otherwise, the first pheasant to flush is likely to trigger a mass exodus. And you might need a 10ga to do any good if it happens when you're too far away.
Posted By: oskar Re: 20ga 2 1/2” for pheasants? - 09/17/21 01:27 PM
If I had a 2 1/2" 20ga I'd be shooting 3/4 or 7/8oz of nickel 6's. Lightning fast handling can give you a big advantage on flushing birds. I shoot a 25" barreled 12ga choked IC and IM that comes in a 5 lb 15 oz and it lives on a diet of 1 oz of 6's hunting pheasants and sharptails.
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