Rooster Loads for my FOX 12 ga.

[Birdman]

I have a 12ga. Fox Grade A and want to shoot # 4's for Pheasants. Anybody got suggetions on ammo brands and loads that are safe?

Thanks
Steve

[Researcher]

No one can tell you over the internet what load may or may not be safe in a given gun. That can only be done by a qualified doublegun smith with the gun in hand. I don't imagine you could go wrong with shells from our friends at RST. On the other hand, as many Pheansants as I've killed in the last 50 years with a #7 1/2 trap load, I can't imagine why you want to use #4s. For 43 seasons I've shot Pheasants with my 1914-vintage A-Grade with a #7 1/2 trap load in the improved cylinder right barrel and a #6 Super-X or Nitro Express in the improved modified left barrel.

[mike campbell]

IMO, assuming the gun is deemed safe to shoot with any ammo at all , about any 2 3/4" factory load is "safe"....some are more "sensible" than others.
The classic pheasnat loads have always been the 1 1/4 ounce 3.25DE (1220 fps) and the 3.75 DE (1330 fps).
I was never fond of the heavy hitters, even as teenager, and I wouldn't even think of touching one off in a Fox . A quick look at the big 3 revealed that Winchester doesn't list the DE or the velocity on their 1 1/4 pheasant load, so I'd assume it's the heavy one. In Remington, I'd buy the Shur Shot "Hi BAse" listed at 1220 fps and in Federal I'd buy the Game Shok Heavy Field at 1220 fps.

I like #4 for my Hail Mary, There Goes a Wounded Bird Load....but 1 1/4 ounce only holds 170 pellets. So I handload 1 3/8 ounce (186) @ 1200-1240 fps and in the adrenaline rush of shooting at a wounded pheasant at 40-60 yds (that would be the bird my partner wounded, not I), I'd say "It don't kick much."

Recently,though, I've been rethinking my Back-up strategy. Not many would question the killing power of a #6 pellet at 35 yds. Well, a #5 pellet has that same energy at 50 yds. And at 50 yards that #5 is beating the #6 at 40 yds. So I'm leaning more towards 1 3/8 (234) or even 1 1/4 (212) ounce of #5 at 1220 fps for next season.

The Old Timers used to say "Little powder, much lead, shoots far, kills dead." Works for me.

[Birdman]

Mike,

Sounds like you have shot a "few" Roosters. Yea I have to work the wind conditions in Kansas and they can be 10-50 m.p.h. all within a day. I really like 4,5's late season because your typical shot may be 50 yards when the birds are spooky. For some strange reason I can hit better between 40-60 yds.. It is probably something to do with my eyesight, etc. I LOVE the long shots.

SS

[loggy]

We get reports of a Graybeard that also likes the long shots. He prefers a three inch HE loaded with 1-7/8 oz of number twos. He can kill them at 70 yards. His preference is a big gun backing his sixty plus years of practice.

[Researcher]

How is our buddy "Long Range" doing with his replacement parts? Damn seldom I take a shot over 35 yards. My many many years of shooting NSSA Skeet make that 35 yard shot seem like an extreme distance to my eyes.

[loggy]

He is doing well. I had the good fortune to get out with him last week. The birds did not fly by us but then we didn't have to clean or eat any. Lots of good stories and we worked over BoWhoop I for awhile. We are looking forward to a visit with you soon.