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This is Rio's Royal Pheasant Copper load built for the 20 gauge hunter who wants real reach out of a smaller gun. It stacks 1 1/4 ounces of #5 copper-plated lead shot into a 3-inch hull and pushes it out at 1250 fps, which gives you a heavier payload and a denser pattern than you'd get from a standard 2 3/4-inch shell. That extra shot count is what makes a 3-inch 20 feel more like a light 12 in the uplands, and #5 copper-plated lead has long been the go-to for folks chasing wild ringnecks over dogs.
The copper plating isn't for looks. It helps the pellets hold their shape as they travel down the bore and through the wad, so fewer get deformed and flung out of the pattern. The payoff is tighter, more uniform patterns and better downrange penetration, which is exactly what you want when a rooster is quartering away at 35 yards with a thick coat of late-season feathers. Rio built this cartridge to stay hard-hitting at longer distances, and the plated #5s back that up with good energy where the bird is.
Number 5 shot is about as versatile as it gets for upland birds. It carries enough pellet count for a dense pattern while still leaving plenty of size for penetration on a tough bird. Pair this load with an improved cylinder or modified choke and you've got a setup that works over a pointing dog on close flushes and still has the legs for birds that bust out wide. It's equally at home on pheasant, grouse, and partridge when the shots stretch out a bit.
If you shoot a 20 and don't want to feel undergunned on wild birds, this is a load worth keeping in the vest. Rio has a long track record of putting out dependable, consistent hunting ammo, and the Royal Pheasant line is one of their better upland offerings.
It's built for upland bird hunting, with pheasant being the obvious target. The 1 1/4 oz payload of #5 copper-plated lead also works well on grouse and partridge. The heavier 3-inch load gives you more pattern density and reach than a standard 2 3/4-inch shell.
The copper plating helps the lead pellets resist deformation as they move through the barrel and wad. That keeps more pellets round and in the pattern, which means tighter patterns and better penetration downrange. It's a common feature on quality upland loads meant to perform at distance.
Number 5 is one of the most popular pheasant shot sizes because it balances pellet count with penetration. In a 3-inch 20 gauge with 1 1/4 oz, you get a healthy shot count for a dense pattern while keeping enough pellet size to drive through feathers and bone. Many upland hunters consider it a solid all-around choice for roosters.
Improved cylinder and modified are both popular pairings for this type of upland load. IC is great over a close-working dog on flushes, while modified gives you a little more reach for birds that break wide. Pattern your gun with this shell to confirm what throws the best density at your typical shooting range.
| UPC | 8435101636339 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | RPC20MGN5 |
| Shipping Weight | 2.498 |
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