There are two public hunt areas in WA that are now lead free due to multi use of the area by ducks, geese and pheasants so I have been looking at the pheasant loads for my "old" JC Higgins 12 gauge pump. I did two hunts on a pheasant farm in the Ellensburg area with CD 12 GA 2 3/4 #6 shot. All I can say is if I did my job the shot did it's job. So now if I go to an area that is "lead free" I know what to take with me. I had the gun checked by a local gun smith and the results were the gun could shoot steel but the choke system might blow off the barrel so the need for the classic doubles loads.

I shoot the Classic Doubles in my 16 ga and find they do as well as any of the Hevishot duck loads in 12 or 20 ga!! They are light in recoil-comfortable to shoot and just like lead loads of days gone by!!! I hate to shoot the fast-1550 loads- but then I dont shoot steel!!!
Rp

I do like the soft recoil and the hard hitting of the shot in the old gun. I have not tried the steel loads but I think I will agree with you on the Pheasant loads as the cost per bird is minimal and when hit they drop. I am going after turkey later this year with a new shotgun and want to try the magnum blend I bought at Cabala's on sale (all three inch). But for all around pheasants I will stick with the classic double loads.
Mike