20 Gauge Small Game

[kmeyer]

Hi all. I'm curious for those of you small game hunters out there if 40 grains of 3f behind #6 shot is enough for squirrels and rabbits? How about Grouse/Pheasants? I am going to squirrel hunt a little this weekend and just curious. Thanks.

 

[GobblerKnob]

Not to sound condescending,kmeyer, but this is something that should have been figured out long before the night before going afield. :imo: You owe it to your quarry to dispatch them quickly and humanely. :m2c:

Rick

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Kmeyer,
We have not used that litte of a powder charge so can't comment on it. However we have used 2F 55gr and 60gr charges to great effect on Grouse, Squirrel, and Snowshoe Hares; with #6 shot at 20/25yds max. Using the 15% reduction in power 2F produces as compared to 3F (so I have read on this forum) you should be close to our loads. Still, as stated above, out of respect for the animal would recommend 50gr of your 3F as minimum. :imo:
Never had the privilege of shooting a Pheasant with a BP load.
Best Wishes

 

[brubincam]

set up a real tin can not aluminum at 30 yards and shoot it if pellits go through one side of can its OK to use,,,,read that somewhere,,,

 

[Black Hand]

70-75gr FFFg and slightly more volume of #6 shot works for me out to 25-30 yards. 40 grains sounds a little low to me. You just may not have enough pellets moving down-range to be effective at anything but close quarters.
Black Hand

 

[roundball]

Hi all. I'm curious for those of you small game hunters out there if 40 grains of 3f behind #6 shot is enough for squirrels and rabbits? How about Grouse/Pheasants? I am going to squirrel hunt a little this weekend and just curious. Thanks.

FWIW, I learned to use a method posted here in the past that's intended to give at least an idea of penetration power of shot loads...and that was to use a heavy gauge tin can, like a 'tuna can' or something strong like that.

Then set it up at whatever you expect your max yardage to be and be sure to have enough powder and/or large enough size shot to punch through that heavy metal can.

In tests I ran in my .62cal(.20ga) smoothbore, I settled on 70grns Goex 3F and 1+5/8oz #6's for long range turkey loads with a lot of shot weight...and it just does punch through that can at 40 yards.

Personally, 40grns sounds light to me but you didn't say what size payload you'll be pushing so it might be fine, particularly for close shots at squirrels & rabbits...but a pheasant is a big old tough bird.

Best advice is to grab some targets of some sort of strength and see how far they'll penetrate

 

Whoa! I agree with roundball on a load! I would recommend trying 70 gr fffg (or ffg, if that is what you have) and an equal volume of #6 shot (in other words measure out your powder and shot with the same measuring device). Don't forget your overpowder wads and overshot cards. Should work on a variety of small game.

 

[roundball]

Whoa! I agree with roundball on a load!

:crackup:
Actually, that's two loads we agree on...we shoot the same .58cal RB load (100grns Goex 2F)
:front:

 

[kmeyer]

Thanks for all the info folks. Gobbler, I'm not sure what your issue is? Shooting at 25 yards, my pattern is almost identical from 40-60 grains. That is pretty much the distance of the shots I get where I hunt. I'm just curious if 40 is too light and thought I'd ask. The entire reason of the post was to be sure I hunt humanely. Sorry if you took it wrong.

 

[Dave K]

If you were to go and buy modern shells you will see a dram eq. on the box. I kind of use that as general guide line. Since we are actually shooting Drams of powder, just use that as your guide line. Yes, 40gr. is awful light IMHO. If you are shooting a patent breech gun, you may not even be filling the patent breech either, leaving an air space between powder and payload. Some shotguns reguire at least 2 dram (about 55gr.) to fill that space.


Gobblerknob does have a very good point. Pattern is not always the issue, penetration is to be considered as well. You have to have enough powder to do that as well. I use Roundballs method to test penetration. Shoot at a good stout can and see if your load goes through it. So happens my 20ga. load is 2 1/4 Dram (about 62 gr.2F) and 7/8oz. of shot. One over powder card, one 1/4" thick lubricated fiber cushion and a thin over shot card.

 

[roundball]

I use Roundballs method to test penetration. Shoot at a good stout can and see if your load goes through it.

Dave, your age is showing...YOU gave ME that tip about using a stout can for penetration testing, not the other way around
:crackup:

 

[GobblerKnob]

No issue with you, kmeyer. Just an observation. Far too many of the people I deal with in my line of work seem to overlook the importance of sighting in your gun. They take a cavelier attitude with it and wonder why things go awry when they do. Peace? Rick

 

[Dave K]

Geee Roundball, thanks for the credit! I didn't want to take away from your well written post. I am sure it worked for you too.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Quite a few years ago I was shooting a 12ga. SxS choked modified and full which actually patterned extra full and unbelievably full. It was one of the very light guns, about five pounds and I decided my standard load of 3 drams, 1 1/8 ounce of lead sixes was overkill for squirrels. I cut the load in half, 40 gr. 3f and 5/8 oz. It delivered nice round patterns and enough penetration to drop a squirrel out of the tree tops. That was in 12 ga. and it beat any modern .410 I've ever seen. What bore is your gun?
PS--I read that tin can trick in Dixie Gun Works catalogs about 50 years ago, guess it still works.