Home Choose the Right Ammunition for Upland Bird Hunting

Choose the Right Ammunition for Upland Bird Hunting

Choosing the right ammunition for upland bird hunting is critical for ensuring an ethical, effective hunt. The type of ammunition you select depends on the species you’re hunting, the environment, and your firearm. Upland bird hunting typically involves fast-moving targets like pheasants, quail, grouse, or doves, requiring ammunition that delivers the right balance of speed, spread, and energy.

Here’s a guide to help you choose the right ammunition for upland bird hunting.

Consider the Game Species

Different upland birds require different shot sizes and loads to ensure clean and effective kills without damaging the meat. Match your ammunition to the bird’s size, speed, and distance.

Pheasants: Pheasants are larger upland birds that require heavier loads to ensure clean kills.

Recommended shot size: Use #4, #5, or #6 shot.
Recommended gauge/load: A 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun with high-brass or heavier loads is effective for these tougher birds.
Choke: Modified or full chokes work well for the longer shots often needed for pheasants.

Quail: Quail are smaller, fast-moving birds that require lighter loads for quick follow-up shots.

Recommended shot size: Use #7.5 or #8 shot.
Recommended gauge/load: A 20-gauge or 28-gauge shotgun with light loads is sufficient.
Choke: Improved cylinder or modified chokes provide an open spread for close-range shooting.

Grouse: Grouse are mid-sized birds that flush quickly, often at closer ranges.

Recommended shot size: Use #6 or #7.5 shot.
Recommended gauge/load: A 20-gauge shotgun with medium loads is versatile and effective.
Choke: Improved cylinder or modified chokes allow for quicker shots in wooded areas.

Doves: Doves are small, fast-flying birds that require light loads for speed and accuracy.

Recommended shot size: Use #7.5 or #8 shot.
Recommended gauge/load: A 20-gauge or 28-gauge shotgun with light loads is ideal.
Choke: Improved cylinder chokes provide a wide spread for shooting fast-moving targets. Selecting the right ammunition for dove hunting enhances the experience and success.

Gauge Selection

The shotgun gauge determines the power and versatility of your firearm. For upland bird hunting, lighter gauges are often preferred for their reduced weight and manageable recoil. Selecting the right shotgun ammo for different gauges is crucial to ensure optimal performance for upland bird hunting.

12-gauge: Ideal for larger birds like pheasants or for hunters needing more versatility in range and power.
20-gauge: A popular choice for upland hunting due to its lighter weight, lower recoil, and suitability for most game birds.
28-gauge: Lightweight and easy to handle, making it perfect for smaller birds like quail or doves, especially in close-range environments.
.410 bore: Best for experienced hunters or smaller birds. Limited payload makes it less forgiving on marginal shots.

Shot Size and Material

The size of the shot determines the spread and impact of the ammunition. Smaller numbers indicate larger pellets, while larger numbers represent smaller pellets.

Steel shot: Required in many areas to prevent lead contamination, especially near wetlands. Steel is harder and lighter than lead, so it requires faster velocities and slightly larger shot sizes to maintain effectiveness.
Lead shot: Preferred for its density and energy transfer, but its use is restricted in many locations due to environmental concerns. Choosing non toxic shot in these areas is crucial to comply with regulations and protect the environment.
Bismuth or tungsten: Heavier alternatives to steel, providing similar performance to lead while remaining non-toxic.

For upland birds:

Small birds (quail, doves): #7.5 or #8 shot is effective for their size and ensures a wide pattern.
Medium birds (grouse, partridge): #6 or #7.5 shot balances power and spread for mid-sized birds.
Large birds (pheasants): #4, #5, or #6 shot delivers the necessary power to penetrate tough feathers and reach vital areas.

Match Ammunition to Your Shotgun Choke

The choke determines how tightly the shot pattern spreads at a given distance. Pairing the right choke with the right ammunition ensures optimal performance. Selecting the appropriate shotgun loads to match the choke is crucial for effective upland bird hunting.

Improved cylinder: Provides a wide spread, ideal for close-range hunting and small, fast-moving birds.
Modified: A versatile choice for medium-range shots, suitable for a variety of upland birds.
Full: Produces a tight pattern for longer-range shots, effective for larger birds like pheasants.

Environmental Considerations for Upland Hunting

Terrain: In dense cover or wooded areas, choose ammunition and chokes that produce wider patterns to account for quick, close-range shots.
Hunting pressure: In heavily hunted areas, birds may flush farther away, requiring tighter chokes and heavier loads for longer shots.
Local regulations: Always check local laws for restrictions on shot material (lead vs. non-toxic) and gauge-specific requirements.

Practice for Optimal Performance

Pattern your shotgun: Test different loads and chokes at a shooting range to ensure consistent patterns and coverage for your chosen species.
Practice speed and accuracy: Use clay targets to simulate the fast, erratic flight of upland birds and improve your shooting technique.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ammunition for upland bird hunting involves understanding the species, your shotgun’s capabilities, and the environment you’ll be hunting in. Select the appropriate gauge, shot size, and choke to match your game and hunting conditions. Whether you’re targeting small, fast quail or larger, tougher pheasants, the right ammunition ensures clean and ethical kills, maximizing your success in the field.

FAQs

What is the best shot size for upland bird hunting?

Shot size depends on the bird species. Use #7.5 or #8 for smaller birds like quail or doves, #6 or #7.5 for medium-sized grouse, and #4, #5, or #6 for larger birds like pheasants. Additionally, different shotgun shell specifications, such as gauge and shell length, impact performance and safety when selecting ammunition.

Is steel shot effective for upland hunting?

Yes, steel shot is effective but requires faster velocities and larger shot sizes than lead due to its lighter weight.

What gauge is best for upland bird hunting?

A 20-gauge is the most versatile choice for upland hunting, balancing power, weight, and recoil. A 28-gauge or .410 bore is ideal for smaller birds or experienced hunters.

How does choke affect upland hunting performance?

The choke determines the spread of the shot pattern. Improved cylinder is best for close-range shots, modified is versatile for mid-range, and full is ideal for long-range shots.

Why is it important to pattern my shotgun?

Patterning ensures your shotgun’s load and choke combination provides consistent and adequate coverage for your target species, improving accuracy and effectiveness.

Non-Toxic Ammo Options

Non-toxic ammo options are becoming increasingly popular among upland hunters, and for good reason. With growing concerns over lead poisoning in wild birds, many states are implementing restrictions on the use of lead shot for upland hunting. In this section, we’ll explore the different non-toxic ammo options available for shotgun shells, including steel shot, bismuth, and tungsten-based loads.

Steel Shot

Steel shot is the most readily available non-toxic ammo option for shotgun shells. It’s a popular choice among upland hunters, particularly for wild pheasants and other game birds. Steel shot is available in a range of shot sizes, from #4 to #7.5, making it suitable for both close-range shots and longer-range shots. However, steel shot has some drawbacks, including its tendency to lose energy quickly and its potential to damage vintage guns.

Bismuth

Bismuth is a denser and softer alternative to steel shot, making it a popular choice for upland hunting. It’s suitable for both vintage and modern guns, and it offers similar ballistics to lead ammo. Bismuth is available in a range of shot sizes, including #4 to #7.5, and it’s a good option for hunting wild birds at close range.

Tungsten-Based Loads

Tungsten-based loads, such as Hevi-Shot, are denser and harder than lead, making them a popular choice for upland hunting. They offer excellent penetration and expansion, making them suitable for hunting larger game birds. However, tungsten-based loads are less common and more expensive than steel shot and bismuth.

Other Non-Toxic Options

Other non-toxic ammo options include NICE shot, ITX, and Fiocchi Golden Pheasant. These options offer varying levels of density and performance, and they’re suitable for different types of upland hunting.

Choosing the Right Non-Toxic Ammo

When choosing a non-toxic ammo option, it’s essential to consider the type of upland hunting you’ll be doing, as well as the type of gun you’re using. Steel shot is a good option for close-range shots, while bismuth and tungsten-based loads are better suited for longer-range shots. It’s also important to consider the shot size and type of ammo that’s suitable for the game birds you’re hunting.

Ethical Kill

Ultimately, the goal of upland hunting is to make an ethical kill, and non-toxic ammo options can help achieve this goal. By choosing a non-toxic ammo option, you can help reduce the risk of lead poisoning in wild birds and ensure a clean and humane kill.

BACK IN STOCK!