Thread: Best Cartridge for Quail.

For a number of years I was running 5's for pheasant and then 8's for quail.
Swapping them in and out as I tried to predict what was around the corner.
A good ( successful ) mate told me to use 6's and quit pissing about. Doesnt matter what gauge, 6's will knock down any upland game ( unless its a Peacock )

Might be different in areas where you dont see many pheasants, but knowing what i know now i would probably shoot 6's even if no roosters about.

Originally Posted by johnd

For a number of years I was running 5's for pheasant and then 8's for quail.
Swapping them in and out as I tried to predict what was around the corner.
A good ( successful ) mate told me to use 6's and quit pissing about. Doesnt matter what gauge, 6's will knock down any upland game ( unless its a Peacock )

Might be different in areas where you dont see many pheasants, but knowing what i know now i would probably shoot 6's even if no roosters about.

This. 6's work on everything, and shoot through quail, so no pellets in the bird.

20 gauge 9,s if inside 25 metres
had no joy with 8,s at all and limited success with 7or 7.5s.
tho most of my shots were within the 15 t0 25 metre range.
anything bigger left buggerall to eat

Just to add to the 6's. I find that it only takes one pellet to kill a quail. i dont get a lot of shot to shit birds Also run very open chokes usually skeet and skeet 1. Or Improved Cylinder.
Normally run a 28 gauge or 20. Dont even pick up the 12 these days

Just to add to the 6's. I find that it only takes one pellet to kill a quail

same johnd I just have trouble getting that one pellet to cooperate others get in the way and if its to big it turns them inside out

I like the 16 ga with 6 shot for quail.

Originally Posted by johnd

For a number of years I was running 5's for pheasant and then 8's for quail.
Swapping them in and out as I tried to predict what was around the corner.
A good ( successful ) mate told me to use 6's and quit pissing about. Doesnt matter what gauge, 6's will knock down any upland game ( unless its a Peacock )

Might be different in areas where you dont see many pheasants, but knowing what i know now i would probably shoot 6's even if no roosters about.

That's all I use on pheasant and partridge in the uk, 6s 36gram. Seems to work there's 270 odd pellets in that load.
Now quail if you use 7.5 say 28gram there's nearly 400 pellets.
I've used my clay cartage's on pigeons on really busy days. Worked a treat even on 40 yard birds. Hit just as many and my shoulder was happy too