Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 12GA 3″ #4 Shot Shells – 25 Rounds

Description

For late-season rooster hunts when birds are wily and ranges stretch toward 45+ yards, the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 3-inch load steps up the game. These shells feature precision nickel-plated lead shot that resists deformation, maintaining a hard round shape through the air and into the target. That matters more than most people realize.

The nickel plating does two things: it keeps pellets rounder as they leave the barrel, which tightens your pattern, and it reduces the tendency of pellets to be deflected by feathers. That second part is what experienced hunters pay attention to. When a pellet slides through rather than gets grabbed by feathers, it penetrates deeper and more reliably.

What Makes Golden Pheasant Different

This load carries 1-3/4 ounces of #4 shot down range at 1200 feet per second. For context, that's roughly 236 pellets per shot. At 35 yards you've got plenty of density for a clean kill. Push past 40 yards and that extra pellet count becomes your insurance policy. The wads are matched to the shot charge to minimize deformation and keep the pattern together longer than standard loads.

Fiocchi built these shells specifically for upland hunting conditions. They're loaded at velocities that balance power with controllable recoil, especially important when you're hunting hard all day. The plastic hulls are tough and consistent, which hunters who reload appreciate for their value across multiple firings.

When to Reach for These

If you hunt tight coverts with a good dog and mostly take birds flushing close, standard 1-1/4 oz loads probably cover your needs and cost less. But if your country is more open, if roosters get up and fly out beyond that first 35 yards, or if you hunt late in the season when birds are tougher and wiser, these earn their place in your vest. They're a legitimate third-shell option for the long shot or a solid first and second choice if range is part of your equation.