Years ago in South Dakota we had a rule the entire hunting party had to use high brass #6 2 3/4" 12 gauge shells. This was both for safety (no larger shot than #6) and so everybody could swap shells. Dispensations were made if somebody had a nice 16 or 20 gauge, or even 28, they wanted to say they'd killed a cock pheasant with, but it rarely happened.

The nickel plated shot of the B and P shells, along with the blistering high speed, will help penetration and you'll kill your limit quicker.

But the key, is to shoot at the pheasant before he flies too far away.

The closer they are, the better the shells work.

 

I recently saw at the sporting goods store some pheasant shells in stock!! Although the season is almost over, I couldn't resist grabbing a box. B & P heavy pheasant, 12ga 1 1/4 oz. 1500 fps nickel plated lead.

They aren't very good. In October, Fiocchi bought the troubled B&P.

 

I've used them off and on and like any load they will bring the bird down if you put the pellets in the front half if the bird and not if you don't. Not much different than any other round. I've found their products to be of high quality which made them more expensive than many other lines B&P competes with. That expense affecting sales is probably a greater factor in any financial troubles they had than the quality of the ammunition.

My main complaint with them was I don't care for the high velocity as it brings more recoil than I prefer while not performing noticeably different than my typical slower loads. If I didn't reload and considering what I see the current and future availability prospects, I probably would ave grabbed a couple boxes.

 

The shotshells are ok, the marketing was a bit grand but....they are ok shells in all their forms.
One would not be considered unarmed were those shotshells up the spout.

Far too many folks reckon equipment trumps the decision of shoot-no shoot or, the desire to kill all the stuff in front of them ranks as #1.
Selling and shilling advice turn many from a wiser view of being afield.

 

I can't speak for all of B&P's hunting loads, but I have had very good luck with two of their offerings. The first are no longer cataloged, but they were the 12 gauge MB Long Range nickel-plated 5's @1300 fps. The load I currently use and like very much is the 16 gauge F2 Classic (5's).

 

Whether we want to call it "effective spread," ethical wingshooting, or just cracking clays with authority one thing is clear-the pellets that do not arrive on our target are worthless. The results can be astounding-- in one testing set, all done with a Trulock 12 gauge Improved Modified Precision Hunter Choke, promo loads yielded splotchy 48% patterns, where B& P F2 Legends put an 87% average pattern on the board. A dove, for example, has a kill zone a bit smaller than a golf ball-- rounding it up to three square inches might be considered generous.

The F2's I like. Regardless of brand, high velocity lead shells (1485 - 1500 fps) kick more than that standard 1330 - 1400 fps load and throw more open patterns.

 

The key, is to shoot at the pheasant before he flies too far away.
The closer they are, the better the shells work.

This is a brilliant line!
It should be on a shotshell poster.

 

I primarily upland hunt with these, pheasant. My sons and I started shooting the B&P Upland ammunition (12 Ga, 2 3/4, 1 1/4 oz no 5, 1400fps) about three years ago. I had switched over to these because I was unable to find my usual Fiocchi Golden Pheasant. Baschieri and Pellagri sounds expensive but they were bought at a similar but slightly less price than many other high brass pheasant loads. Price was a consideration when purchasing them. We’ve gone through about twenty boxes and they have worked well for us so far. I am not sure that they kill the pheasants more dead than good hard lead shot, but they do penetrate well. They pattern fine (verified). But there are other brands/loads that pattern just as well. I do like the nickel plated shot. And the Gordon system hulls look cool. Would I recommend them? Definitely. The price is ok. The performance has been very good, consistent and very reliable. They kill pheasants, even at a good distance. The shot shells are well made and weather resistant. They seem to put a check in all the boxes for me. I have already bought another 20 boxes. I would tell anyone to feel comfortable purchasing these shotshells.

 

New upland line of ammo. These are $190 a case plus shipping. You can have two cases shipped for $24. Tell them Steve sent you. Limited quantities

 

Gentlemen,

I have used a lot B&P shells thru the years, they work well in my Classic double guns, never a problem with the shells woking properly or downing birds. Their new light shells for classic guns are great.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith/Westley Richards Man