ArtL

I was thinking why my experiences with shot size seems to be different than everyone else and I believe it is because of the area I shoot pheasants. The typical shot for me is 20-25 yards and usually in thick woods or brush. If I'm lucky I get one shot and that is about it. I tend to get on them quickly and shoot a skeet choke all the time. It seems like most everyone else has longer ranges and maybe more open terrain. For the past 3 days I have gotten a bird a day with this method and when hit they are down with usually 8 or more pellets hitting the bird. Just my thoughts and your terrain may be different and your choke is probably different. Well 2 more days to the season and it is raining right now but clearing so I'm getting ready to go out for more birds.

You need to buy some slugs and give it a try. There is no best slug as the person behind the gun is the most important item when it comes to shooting. I would shoot field postitions after sighting in the gun as that is what you will do and if you can hit a pie plate using field postitions at 100 yards then you can get into the vitals of a deer.

Nice deer.... I have to wait until this Monday for gun season to open. Archery is open right now but I have been after pheasant and only scouting for the deer. Have seen the same buck 4 times in the past few weeks and 2 nice does a couple of times. Soon as the season opens I will probably see nothing.... got my spots picked out and stands in place... Thanks for posting the pics...

I use an Aimpoint even though I have an M2 with the ghost ring sight on it. It will shoot like a rifle out to 100 yards with that red dot.

Didn't you get the manual with the MR1? They explain how this is done and when I followed the instructions it went together easily. Get the manual if you don't have one.

My loads with 7 1/2's have bagged numerous birds so far this year. I use an M2 - 20 gauge with 7 1/2's and never look back. Maybe shooting trap and skeet most of the year helps. I never find the pellets in the birds but we shoot in heavy cover so most shots are close.

I bought an MR1 about 3 months ago and it came with both apertures. Guess I'm luck but not sure on that. The rifle works great for me as I have put about 2K rounds though it so far with no problems and that is with all reloads. I don't do bench shooting except to sight it in so cannot say exactly what it does for groups, but during sight in it was definitely shooting 2" or better. I have take a couple of coyotes with it using iron sights at 100 yards give or take a few yards, and a couple more at 150 + yards with a low power scope. I may be lucky but with the rebate from Benelli I was able to buy the weapon for under a grand and felt that was good enough. I have AR15's and although I have used the M16 in combat I have never liked that weapons platform. It just never seem that good to me although my wife loves them. I don't find that they shoot any better than the MR1 and they do require more cleaning. I'm just glad to have the gun and use it all the time.

I shot one a few days ago with a pheasant in her mouth. I have a feeling that the lack of pheasants to shoot is due to the abundance of coyotes in the area. They also love small dogs and cats... I look for signs saying Fluffy is missing and know what has happened..... get out the caller and go to work.

How about this: http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/08/bryan-hyde/gun-review-benelli-mr1-tactical-rifle/benelli-mr1-with-burris-scope/ You might get a giraffe neck using it though as you will need to have something for a cheek weld

I love shooting quail and use an M2 in 20 gauge with 8's or 9's with good luck.

Very stupid people.....

I use 7 1/2's with good luck but at time do use 6's.

You are asking to much for it and you are probably not getting the gun into the pocket and it hurts. Have someone show you how to get the gun in the pocket before shooting. I finished shooting 50 rounds of slugs and 50 rounds of 00 buck with no problem, but if you don't have it in the pocket it will kick like ****.

My house gun (rifle) needs to be able to hit a paper plate down the end of the hall, and my hunting rifle if it can hit the same plate at 200 yards is fine with me.... Do have a national match version of an M1A that is very accurate, but I don't care about group size as other than on the bench and maybe prone (if done right) field shooting and target shooting have very little in common...