What shot shells do you like for small game ? Is Winchester Super X heavy game loads good ? What size shot and what chokes do you like for close range hunting ?

"All Around" and "Best" don't come in the same box . . . ever.

What is it you mean by "close range"? Everyone has a different version of that one. There is no "one size fits all."

Small game at about 10-25 yards. Sometimes squirrels in trees.

Head shot, full choke, 1 oz. of #6.

It's hard to go wrong with any reasonable size of shot for squirrels. I normally use No 4, 5 or 6, but sometimes even use 7 1/2 for extra pattern density when I'm hunting the small cat squirrels with a kill area of about 2X4 inches.

I've found the PolyChoke II adjustable choke to be exceptionally effective for squirrel (and rabbit) hunting. When leaves are still on the trees, I often have shots from 10 to 40-plus yards, and the PolyChoke is the only device that will allow quick adjustments to satisfy the wide range of distances.

For rabbits and quail I like the 12ga Winchester Super X 2 3/4" #5 game loads. They get the job done with no problems in my Ithaca Model 37 12ga with a 28" modified barrel.
Robert

Short of pheasant & waterfowl, standard Trap loads of 7-1/2 (either STS or AA) work very
well for me.

Randy's got the right of it....
First, what brand (Win Super X, Rem Game Load, etc.) absolutely doesn't matter-- shot size, payload weight, and velocity is all that matters. And availability. Oh, maybe some cheap winchester stuff jams in Rem 870 express more than others...

your grouping of "small game" and "close range" don't really exist-- there are big differences on what is considered "close range" on various game, depending on where you hunt and what. And big differences in what it takes to kill a jackrabbit vs. a quail.
Lastly, it MOSTLY depends on what gauge gun I'm shooting--but for "small game" it's NEVER a 12 gauge! Seems like you were assuming a standard gauge.

Maybe you just posted your question to have something to read... that's ok, as I clicked on it just to have something to read too

dove - 3/4oz #8 from 28ga if pass shooting and I can limit self to close shots
- 7/8oz #7.5 in 20ga
- 1oz #7.5 in 16 ga if I'm able to pass shoot in close.
1 1/8oz #6 in 16ga if I'm jump shooting and they're getting up at 35-40yds.

Quail -- same as above, except #7.5 seems enough in most cases. However, lately with no dog I find self almost running after them to get them to fly, in which case mod choke #6 shot sometimes needed.

Rabbit - 1oz #6 or #5 is what I've mostly used, and seemed to work fine.
squirrel- always used a pellet gun as a kid.

Jackrabbit - 1 1/8oz #6 if close, #4 would be better if I knew I was going after them.

If I had no idea what I was hunting and was just going to shoot whatever I saw and was in season, I'd have my Model 12 16ga with 1 1/8oz #6. Maybe with a 1oz of 7.5 in the chamber.

If using the single shot 20g, I shoot #6's. Federals, Remingtons, or WinchestersIf using the Beretta O/U 12g, I shoot 7 1/2's for grouse hunts, and #6's for all else. One oz. Same manufacturers.

1 or 1 1/8 oz of 6s for just walking the woods and fields not knowing what you are going to kick up whether 12 or 20 ga and still be able to harvest a squirrel in average height woods. At 10 yds it won't matter what you shoot with the average barrel/gauge/load combo if you hit it squarely, there will be quite a bit of shot pellet picking when cleaning. The average 20 or 12 ga will start to be stretched at 30 yds with the load mentioned.

Not sure if it is the best but my all around small game load is 11/8 #6 shot. If you include doves in this catorgory I usually use 1 1/8 of 7.5 because it is always on hand. I have been meaning to find a good 1ounce load for doves though or maybe a 7/8 load. All this based on 12ga. FB

I use a 870 20 gauge express that I got as a kid. For squirrels I always used Remington game loads #4 or #6 with a modified choke. For rabbits and grouse I used #6 with an ic choke to open up the pattern a little more. Been using those combos for over 20 years with great success when I do my part.

If forced to choose an "all-purpose" small game shell I'd say 1-1/8oz of #6. It's not too big, not too small for a variety of small game. A low base Game Load is just fine.

I shoot all gauges and loads and and it all depends on requirements.

But... I keep 1 box of 3 3/4 dram 1 1/4 oz of 6s in my trucks tool box for any emergencies as it covers just about anything.

DL

All around...hard lead #5, choked for expected range.

[quote="Hal4son"]All around...hard lead #5, choked for expected range.[/quote

^ This... nothing in N. AR that you can't kill with 1 1/8 oz of fives... just got to be close enough, so my old man says. Seems like around my area though, fives are hard to come by, so I tend to use fours for most everything. They are, however, a fuzz heavy for quail so I try carry sixes or sevens when I go for that kind of game.

Mac

Wow. Lots of people tossing a lot of lead around. I’ve used a lot of different combinations, usually 7/8 oz of 7 1/2’s, or 7 1/2’s, and 6’s late season. This is strictly shooting Ruffed grouse, woodcock, and the occasional hare.

This year I’ll be doing things a little different. No more 7 1/2’s or 6’s, I’m just going to split the difference and load my own 7’s. Shot through the appropriate amount of choke 7’s will have enough force to kill even pheasant to 50+ yards (not that I’m planning to shoot pheasant).

7s and 50+ yards?
Sounds like pushed and incoming pheasants.

I hope no one tries that combo on US wild pheasants under tough condition on a windswept shortgrass......pricked birds die under many circumstances and especially so in the real world w/o picker-uppers.

I do like 7s, tho more for the thought than the advantage and more is involved than oomph tables regarding dead gamebirds.

There is nothing wrong with pushing heavier pellets. The question is “best all around shot shells for small game”, so I answered based my answer around that, in respect to what I do, with the thought of if you could only have one type of shot shell.

I hunt grouse and woodcock, and don’t really hunt wild pheasant. The 7’s will certainly get the job done on grouse, and woodcock. As for the pheasant, more does go into it, like choosing the appropriate amount of choke, and knowing your shooting limitations. Were I in the position to encounter pheasant while hunting grouse and woodcock I’d certainly put a lot of thought into those things.

Further clarification; my decision to go to 7’s, rather than my late season 7 1/2’s & 6’s is only so I don’t have to think about what I’m dropping into the gun. An effort to simplify.

An ounce of good 7s is tough to beat for ruffed grouse or, woodcock.
Not too much difference tho twixt 7s and 7 1/2s....still, I trip to 7s, often.
Good luck.