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Member Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Oklahoma

I'm going on my first ever chukar hunt this fall. Does anyone wish to share info on their favorite loads?

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

I'm giving it a try this year too. I'd picked out the shotgun and the load, but everyone I talk with says that I'll be falling down & scratching up the gun, so now I'm in a quandry not only about the load, but also about the gun.

The best day I ever had chukar hunting was with federal factory 1 oz. 6's out of an ic/m choked Syracuse Lefever. I went 5 for 5 before missing one. Any factory 1 oz. load of 6's will do fine, though I do shoot custom 1 oz. 6 reloads at 1300 fps in cut down 2.5" federal hulls. 1 1/8oz. 6's would also be good. Some guys use 5's, but pattern density at longer ranges is an issue. Cripples can be very tough to find, as they can really run, and they crawl under a rock or in a bush and totally disappear. Practice low angle and down angle quartering away and crossing shots up to 40 yds. Hit them well, and they will go down.

Falling does happen once in a great while, but as long as you remember tp carry your gun to the outside so you're bracing your fall with your hand instead of your gun, you'll be fine. I learned that lesson the hard way. Shoot the gun you want to shoot. Life is short. Enjoy it! Very Happy

Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Posts: 82

Well said UDF.

A scratch or ding in the furniture gained during a hunt never bothered me. The one from taking it out of the safe or bumping it on the truck... That REALLY chaps my arse.

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Oklahoma

Thanks, I'll be using a Superlight Citori choked IC/M or SK/IC. Will probably go with the 1 1/8 load of 6's for more density.