The Best 12 20 Gauge Pheasant Loads: A Comprehensive Guide

The right 20 gauge pheasant load can make or break your hunting experience, which is why we’ve compared the best options on the market. These shells pack a punch while remaining manageable for a versatile shotgun, making them ideal for both experienced hunters and newcomers to the sport.

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Reviews

20 Gauge Pheasant Loads with Golden Chartreuse

Crafty anglers know that adding pheasant necks to their nymphs and Steelhead flies packs a powerful punch. These 20-gauge loads come in two forms: the whole neck or separate sections for tippet and crest. Perfect for those who want to try out this dynamic material without committing to a full neck.

Hareline Silver Pheasant Body Feathers

The Hareline Silver Pheasant Body Feathers bring an unmistakable presence to any streamer setup, with their distinctive kingfisher blue hue matching the beloved grey ghost pattern perfectly. They’ve become essential for steelheaders who want the authenticity of natural pheasant, without the hassle of working with the more elusive guinea options. The 20-gauge loads show up beautifully in both traditional and modern winter steelhead patterns, where their slightly iridescent quality matches the colors of deep river pools.

Yakoda Hot Wire CDC Pheasant Tail (20 gauge)

These Yakoda CDC pheasant tails have earned their reputation through thousands of satisfied anglers who swear by their effectiveness. Each fly combines precise attention to detail with the proven performance that’s made this pattern a staple in many fly fishers’ arsenals.

Wapsi Golden Pheasant Crest

These natural golden pheasant crests bring brilliant red, yellow, and orange hues to fly patterns, with their slender shape working well in tails, wings, and collars. Over 45 years of use in Connemara Black flies shows their enduring value in traditional patterns. While highly rated for their color and shape, some tyers would love to see more color options in the collection.

Tigofly 50 Pcs 20 Gauge Pheasant Feather Fly Tying Materials

These natural golden pheasant feathers combine beauty with versatility, suited for a range of tying applications. The selection includes multiple sizes, making them ideal for both novice and experienced tiers. With 50 feathers packaged in assorted sizes, you’ll have plenty of options for your next project.

Powernail PSA1110D 20 Gauge Staples

These sturdy 20-gauge staples are built for serious fastening jobs like roofing and carpentry, with their 3/8-inch legs and 13/32-inch crowns delivering reliable hold. The galvanized finish gives them lasting corrosion resistance, while their wide crowns distribute pressure evenly for reduced nail pull-out. Compatible with most hammer staplers, these durable staples make quick work of tough installation tasks.

Hillman Wire Coil with 293 lb Galvanized Limit

Uncoiling this 50-foot stretch of galvanized wire reveals a practical solution for hanging pheasant loads, each coil whispering promises of 20-gauge strength under its 293-pound limit. While reviews are scarce, the wire speaks volumes through its durable construction, though potential buyers might want to measure twice before claiming their coil, ensuring it matches their specific hanging needs.

Hareline Golden Pheasant Tippets, 20 Gauge

When you’re tying Atlantic Salmon flies or crafting tails for coachman patterns, these Hareline gold pheasant tippets won’t disappoint. The natural color looks stunning on its own, but you can always whip out the dye for a bit of personality. Each pack gives you plenty of feathers to work with, and the consistent quality makes them a practical choice for both beginners and experienced tiers.

Troutsmen Golden Pheasant Loose Tippet

This 20-gauge pheasant tippet comes in handy for adding tails and wings to dry and steamer fly patterns. While it’s got plenty of premium material for crafting, you’ll want to note that no reviews or ratings are available to share, so it’s entirely fresh and untested from users.

Nature’s Spirit Ringneck Pheasant Side Tails

With their iridescent red coloration and natural webbed fibers, these pheasant side tails add a touch of wild beauty to any crafting project. The premium feathers, measuring 20 gauge, offer both strength and flexibility for your creations, though some light conditioning may be necessary to bring out their full potential. Whether you’re coloring them to match your project or leaving them natural, these high-quality feathers from Nature’s Spirit bring a wealth of color and texture to your work.

Hareline Golden Pheasant Body Feathers

These pheasant body feathers, available in flame red, are a essential material for fly fishers, particularly for creating lifelike streamer patterns that imitate injured baitfish. The thick, flowing fibers add realism to fly designs, whether used as blood trails or shock-colored accents. The feathers’ natural iridescence and thickness help patterns stand out in the water, making them a practical choice for both experienced and novice tiers.

Browning 20 Gauge TSS 3in 1 1/2oz #7/9

These tungsten turkey shotshells deliver exceptional patterning and penetration for clean kills out to 60 yards. Reviewers praise their dense pattern and consistent performance, with many reporting successful hits at both close and long ranges. The superior patterning and reliable performance have earned consistent 4.6-star ratings from hunters who’ve tested these premium loads in various shotguns.

Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the right pheasant load means balancing performance, pattern, and shot count to ensure ethical hunting and effective harvest. This guide helps you understand key aspects of 20 gauge pheasant loads, from shell capacity to wad material.

Shot Size and Count

Selecting appropriate shot size and count depends on your hunting style and range. For general pheasant hunting, 7.5mm to 8.5mm shot works well, with a load of 4 to 5 ounces. Heavier loads increase pattern density but reduce effective range.

Shell Capacity

20 gauge loads come in different lengths: 2 3/4”, 3”, and 3 1/2” shells. Longer shells contain more powder and shot, extending range and penetration. Shorter shells are easier to load but offer less capacity. Consider your shooting distance and desired pattern spread.

Wad Material

Modern shotshell wads come in three types: fiber, plastic, and wax. Fiber wads are light and flexible, performing well in cold weather. Plastic wads resist moisture and provide consistent performance across temperature ranges. Wax wads combine the best properties of both, offering excellent load retention and penetration.

Performance Metrics

Evaluating load performance requires understanding key metrics. Effective range indicates how far the pattern remains dense enough for reliable pellet strikes. Pattern width determines how spread out the shot pattern becomes at various distances. Both factors influence hit probability and ethical hunting practices.

FAQ

What makes a good 20 gauge pheasant load?

A well-balanced 20 gauge pheasant load combines appropriate shot size, load weight, and spread pattern to effectively take down pheasants while minimizing bird damage. The ideal load uses 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 ounce of 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 shot with a spread pattern optimized for pheasant habitat.

Modern hulls offer improved performance with less lead and better environmental impact. Choose hulls specifically engineered for 20 gauge loads to ensure reliable ignition and consistent shot pattern.

What shot sizes work best for pheasants?

For 20 gauge loads, 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 shot sizes provide the right balance of penetration and pattern coverage. These sizes effectively take down pheasants while minimizing damage to the bird’s internal structures.

Avoid smaller shot (7 1/4 and under) as it can scatter too much in the air, while larger shot risks over-penetrating the bird, leaving it a crippled or dead bird in the field.

How important is shot shell consistency?

Using consistently loaded shot shells ensures reliable performance and consistent pattern spreads, which is crucial for accurate shot placement. Even small variations in load weight or shot density can affect both shot pattern and bird penetration.

When possible, use shot shells from the same manufacturer and batch to maintain consistent performance across your magazine or chamber load.

What does FPS mean for 20 gauge shotshells?

Feet per second (FPS) indicates the velocity of the shotshell when it leaves the barrel. For hunting pheasants, velocities between 1200 and 1250 FPS are ideal, providing enough energy for clean kills while maintaining shot pattern integrity.

Higher velocities can be more effective but require careful consideration of choke patterns and firearm barrel length to achieve optimal performance.

Why choose overbore chokes for pheasant hunting?

Overbore chokes (typically. 020” to. 030” larger than the bore diameter) create a more open pattern at longer ranges, which is beneficial for pheasant hunting where targets often present at moderate to long distances. This choke configuration allows for more consistent pattern spreads and improved shot placement at varying ranges.

Underbore chokes, which create tighter patterns that can reduce shot spread, may be suitable for closer targets but risk excessive shot clustering at longer ranges when hunting pheasants.

How do environmental factors affect shotshell performance?

Temperature, humidity, and altitude can all impact shotshell performance. Higher temperatures and humidity can affect primer function, while altitude changes may require adjusting load weight to maintain optimal velocity. Always verify load performance under specific hunting conditions through testing or local hunting reports.

To adapt to changing conditions, consider using shot shells from the same manufacturer to maintain consistent performance characteristics, regardless of environmental factors.

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