6 Best Small Game Loads For Versatility for Mixed-Bag Hunting

You’re walking a tangled fenceline, shotgun held at a low ready. A rabbit could bolt from the briars, a covey of quail could erupt from the grass, or a squirrel could chatter from an overhanging oak. When you don’t know what the day will bring, having the right ammunition—a load versatile enough for whatever you flush—makes all the difference. This isn’t about finding one "magic" shell, but about understanding the smart compromises that keep your game bag heavy and your hunt successful.

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Matching Shot Size and Power to Your Quarry

Imagine trying to stop a charging rabbit with the same load you’d use for a delicate dove. It’s a mismatch. The core of choosing a versatile load is balancing pellet energy with pattern density. Shot size is labeled with a number; the larger the number, the smaller the individual pellet. A #8 shot shell is full of tiny pellets, creating a dense cloud perfect for small, fast birds at close range. A #4 shot shell has fewer, larger pellets that carry more energy downrange, ideal for tougher game like a late-season pheasant or a fox squirrel.

The challenge for the mixed-bag hunter is finding the middle ground. A load that’s too light won’t have the power to ethically take a rabbit or squirrel, resulting in wounded game. A load that’s too heavy will have a sparse pattern at close range, making it easy to miss a small bird, or it could excessively damage the meat on a clean hit.

Your goal is to select a "jack-of-all-trades" load. This means choosing a shot size that provides enough pattern density for upland birds while retaining sufficient energy for ground-based game at reasonable distances. It’s a calculated compromise, and the best choice often depends on whether you’re more likely to encounter birds or four-legged critters on your typical hunt.

Winchester Super-X #6: The All-Around Workhorse

If you could only have one box of shells for an entire small game season, this would be a top contender. Winchester’s Super-X in #6 lead shot is a classic for a reason. It’s the quintessential compromise load, sitting perfectly in the middle of the power and pattern spectrum.

The #6 pellet is substantial enough to anchor a cottontail rabbit or knock a squirrel out of a tall oak. At the same time, a standard 12-gauge load contains enough pellets to provide a workable pattern for flushing pheasants or chukars. It might be a bit much for close-range quail, but for the hunter walking fields and woodlots where anything could appear, its versatility is unmatched. The Super-X line is also widely available and affordable, making it a practical choice for hunters who spend a lot of time in the field.

Federal Game-Shok #7.5: Upland & Rabbit Combo

Picture an early-season walk through thick cover where shots are fast and close. This is where Federal’s Game-Shok Upland Heavy Field Load in #7.5 shot truly shines. It’s leaned slightly towards the bird-hunting side of the spectrum but remains surprisingly effective on small ground game within its intended range.

The primary advantage of #7.5 shot is its incredible pattern density. The sheer number of small pellets in the air makes it forgiving on fast-moving, smaller targets like quail, dove, and woodcock. While each pellet has less energy than a #6, the dense pattern is more than capable of taking down a rabbit that flushes at your feet in the briars. This is a close-range specialist. Pushing it beyond 30-35 yards on anything tougher than a dove is asking for trouble, but for hunters in the thick stuff, it’s an exceptional choice.

Remington Express HV #5 for Extended Range Punch

Now, shift your focus to late-season hunting in open country. The birds are wary, the squirrels are high in the bare trees, and shots are longer. For these conditions, stepping up to a #5 shot, like that found in Remington’s Express High Velocity loads, gives you a significant advantage in downrange energy.

The larger #5 pellets retain their velocity and punch much better than smaller shot. This translates to more effective performance on tough game like pheasants breaking at the edge of shotgun range or gray squirrels that require more energy to bring down cleanly. The trade-off is a less dense pattern. You have fewer pellets to work with, so your aim needs to be more precise, and it’s not the ideal choice for small, close-flushing birds. For the hunter who prioritizes knockdown power for tougher game at a distance, the #5 is a proven performer.

Fiocchi Golden Pheasant: Hard-Hitting Performance

Sometimes, you want to pull out all the stops, especially when pursuing prized—and notoriously tough—game like pheasants. Fiocchi’s Golden Pheasant line is a premium option built for exactly that. These shells are engineered for maximum performance, using high-quality wads, clean-burning powders, and nickel-plated lead shot.

The nickel plating is the key feature here. It makes the lead pellets harder, which reduces deformation as they travel down the barrel and through the air. This results in tighter, more consistent patterns and deeper penetration on target. While designed for pheasants, a load of nickel-plated #5 or #6 shot is devastatingly effective on any small game. The downside is cost; these are significantly more expensive than standard field loads. But for a hunt you’ve been planning all year, the confidence that comes with a premium shell can be well worth the investment.

Federal Hi-Brass .410 for a Lighter Challenge

For the experienced hunter looking to add a layer of challenge or for introducing a new shooter to the sport, the .410 bore is a fantastic tool. Its low recoil and light weight make it a joy to carry all day. However, its small payload demands precision and a deep understanding of its limitations. A quality load like Federal’s Hi-Brass in #6 or #7.5 shot is essential to making the small bore effective.

The .410 is not a 12-gauge. Its thin pattern and limited energy mean shot distances must be kept short and shot placement must be perfect. It excels on squirrels sitting on a limb and rabbits in thick cover where shots are under 25 yards. It is not a great choice for fast-moving aerial targets for anyone but a true expert. Using a .410 for mixed-bag hunting is a deliberate choice to prioritize skill and challenge over raw power.

CCI Mini-Mag .22 LR: The Ultimate Rimfire Option

Not all small game hunting is done with a shotgun. For the hunter who prefers the quiet precision of a rifle, the .22 Long Rifle is the undisputed king, and the CCI Mini-Mag is its standard-bearer. This ammunition is renowned for its reliability and consistency, which are the foundations of accuracy.

For hunting squirrels and rabbits, the 36-grain copper-plated hollow point is an excellent choice. It offers reliable expansion for a quick, ethical harvest. The key to using a .22 LR is patience and discipline. This is a tool for stationary targets only, and shot placement is non-negotiable—aim for the head. Unlike shotgun pellets that lose energy quickly, a .22 bullet can travel over a mile, so identifying a safe backstop for every single shot is a critical safety responsibility.

Choosing Between Lead, Steel, and Bismuth Shot

The material your shot is made from has a massive impact on performance, cost, and legality. For decades, lead was the only option. It’s dense, soft, and ballistically efficient, making it the performance benchmark. However, due to environmental concerns, its use is now restricted in many areas, particularly for waterfowl hunting and on certain public lands.

• Steel Shot: The most common non-toxic alternative. It’s much less dense than lead, so it loses energy faster. To compensate, you generally need to use a shot size two sizes larger than you would with lead (e.g., #4 steel instead of #6 lead) and use higher velocity loads. It’s affordable but can be hard on the barrels of older shotguns not rated for steel.
• Bismuth Shot: A premium non-toxic option. Bismuth is much denser than steel and performs very similarly to lead. This allows you to use lead-equivalent shot sizes for great patterning and downrange energy. The major trade-off is its high cost, which can be prohibitive for many hunters.

The most important step is to check your local regulations before you hunt. If lead is prohibited, your choice is between the budget-friendly performance of steel or the lead-like performance of bismuth. If lead is an option, it remains the most effective and affordable choice for most small game pursuits.

Ultimately, the best load is the one you shoot confidently and accurately from a firearm you know well. Don’t get bogged down in perfecting your gear at the expense of time in the field. Pick a versatile, reliable option, pattern it to see how it performs in your gun, and then focus on the hunt itself—the crisp morning air, the rustle of leaves, and the thrill of the flush.