Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Pheasant Hunting

Go In The Field With Confidence Knowing You're Armed With The Best In The Business

Hunting the ring-necked pheasant holds a special place in my heart. While I grew up in Oklahoma hunting bobwhite quail during my formative years, my dad and his hunting buddy took me along on their annual Nebraska pheasant hunt. Those were the best of times, chasing ringnecks over pointing dogs along brushy fence rows and tailwater pits. 

While some hunt pheasants with a 20 gauge, they are tough birds, and most find the 12-gauge shotgun better suited for killing these beautiful game birds cleanly. Fortunately, many shotshell manufacturers make just what you need for a ringneck hunt this fall. 

Choosing A Pheasant Load 

Before looking at our list of the best 12 gauge ammo for pheasant hunting, a brief discussion of how to choose a great pheasant shell is in order. Shot size is important, as small birdshot doesn’t carry the energy per pellet to cleanly down pheasants on a consistent basis. Number 6 shot is preferred by many, with Number 5 a favorite of some who have hunted ringnecks for many years. For those hunting in areas where steel shot is required, think Number 2s or 3s for pheasants. 

That shot needs to be propelled by enough powder to have plenty of downrange energy. While 3-inch magnum loads aren’t necessary, 2.75-inch shells need to have plenty of powder to fling that shot payload at lethal velocities. That typically means a minimum of 1¼ ounce of powder, with a heavier charge even better. 

Lastly, tight patterns aid with clean kills on all game birds,  including pheasants. Shotshells that utilize a specialized wad, or shot cup, to help retain tighter patterns are well suited for ringnecks, especially those wary old roosters that always tend to flush right at the edge of shotgun range. 

With all that said, let’s look at the best 12 gauge ammo for pheasant hunting from leading manufacturers. 

Federal Premium Upland Pheasants Forever High Velocity  

First on our list of the best 12 gauge ammo for pheasant hunting goes to our friends at Federal Premium. These Pheasants Forever High Velocity shells from Federal sling 1¼ ounces of copper-plated lead shot at about 1,500 feet per second (fps), guaranteeing enough energy to knock down even the toughest ringneck. The pellet count for this 2¾-inch load is 281, and the specialized wad throws a dense, deadly pattern even out to 50 yards. 

Available in No. 4 or 6 shot, these shells from Federal have brought down their fair share of roosters. Even better, a portion of the proceeds from every Pheasants Forever box sold goes to support the organization's mission to preserve and enhance pheasant hunting and habitat. 

Browning BXD Upland 

The BXD Upland from Browning has a picture of a pheasant on the box, but that’s not why you should consider it for your next ringneck hunt. These shotshells launch premium-plated shot at high velocities to achieve impressive in-the-field performance. The nickel plating helps keep shot from deforming in the barrel, resulting in high-velocity retention and energy transfer, as well as tighter downrange patterns. The advertised velocity is about 1,485 fps at the muzzle. 

These shells are available in 2¾-inch No. 5s or 6s, as well as a 3-inch magnum load that features 1 5/8 ounces of shot leaving the muzzle at 1,350 fps.

Winchester Rooster XR 

Ringnecks are quite canny and are well-known for flushing out of range or nearly out of range. That’s where a good, long-range shell—like the Rooster XR from Winchester—really pays dividends. 

Rooster XR’s Shot-Lok technology offers tighter patterns and longer shot capability than traditional pheasant loads. The loads also deliver greater penetration over standard lead loads beyond the 50-yard mark. 

It’s available in five different 3-inch loads with No. 4, 5, or 6 shot at 1,300 or 1,450 fps, and three 2¾-inch loads with No. 4, 5, or 6 shot that leaves the barrel at 1,300 fps.

Remington Nitro Pheasant 

The Nitro Pheasant load from Remington is another one very worthy of consideration. Boasting decades of success in the field, this ammo uses Copper-Lokt copper-plated lead shot with high antimony content.  

Nitro Pheasant is crafted with a premier blend of powder that yields unmatched reliability and high velocities to reach a distant rooster. The shotshells feature Remington’s patented wad design that protects and cushions the load through the entire shot sequence, yielding consistent patterns time and time again. 

In 12 gauge, Nitro Pheasant is available in three loads of 4, 5, or 6 shot that leaves the barrel at 1,300 fps and three loads of 4, 5, or 6 shot at 1,400 fps.

Fiocchi Golden Pheasant Bismuth 

Last on our list of the best 12 gauge ammo for pheasant hunting is the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant Busmuth. Here’s one for those needing—or maybe wanting—to use nontoxic shot for their ringneck hunts. Bismuth is one of the best lead substitutes, and Golden Pheasant Bismuth puts that metal to good use. 

Fiocchi’s bismuth offering uses high-density 9.75g/cc bismuth in a precision-loaded, moisture-resistant, sealed hull that provides hunters with great results shot after shot.  

Both of Fiocchi’s 12-gauge 3-inch loads feature No. 4 or 6 shot with a muzzle velocity of 1,400 fps. Be aware, however, going lead-free will cost you as hunting with Bismuth shot isn’t a cheap endeavor.

Pre-Season Practice with White Flyer 

Before heading afield for ringnecks, it’s a great idea to not only pattern your ammunition in your gun but also run a few boxes of shells during a practice session or two. For that endeavor, look no further than White Flyer, the world leader in clay target manufacturing. 

From the company’s gold standard Pitch targets to their Blackout targets and Eco Flyer targets, just launched this summer, you won’t go wrong with White Flyers in your launcher. Designed to meet or exceed the performance of White Flyer pitch targets, the all-new Eco Flyer clays are PAH-free and do not contain Pitch or Sulfur. 

Learn more about White Flyer clay targets at whiteflyer.com.