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Remington 20 Gauge Shotshells for Australian Upland Bird Hunting

From the mallee scrub of western Victoria to the native grass paddocks of the Riverina, chasing stubble quail with a well-balanced 20 gauge is as Aussie as a flat white on a frosty morning. The 20 bore has earned its place in the gun cabinet because it sits in a sweet spot between the punishing kick of a 12 and the limited payload of a 28. For the foot-hunter working dogs through the tea-tree or pushing into a stiff breeze along a bore drain, weight and recoil matter as much as pattern density, which is why Remington's lineup of 20 gauge factory loads remains a trusted choice for serious quailers across the country.

Choosing the right shell is not just about brand loyalty. Shot size, payload weight, and velocity all change how a load behaves when a covey erupts from the spinifex or the windrows. Licensed shooters in Australia have access to a solid range of Remington offerings through approved channels, and the practical differences between those loads make all the difference in the paddock.

Why the 20 Gauge Suits Australian Conditions

The 20 gauge makes sense for most of the walking that happens on a quail block. A typical session might cover five or six kilometres of uneven ground, from the lignum swamps to the rise of a stony ridge, with the dog ranging a hundred metres out. Carrying a lighter gun means less fatigue, and that translates to steadier shooting when a covey finally breaks cover. Many first-time licence holders in New South Wales and Queensland start with a 20 gauge because the licensing training emphasises manageable recoil, and the platform transitions easily to clay targets down at the local range.

Ammunition availability is another practical consideration. While some boutique 28 gauge and .410 loads occasionally appear through distributors, the 20 gauge enjoys broader, year-round availability of components and factory loads. Licensed shooters can order through approved dealers, with Remington's catalogue covering everything from light 7/8 ounce target loads to heavy 1 1/8 ounce field options. This depth of choice means you can tune your hull selection to the conditions, whether you are walking the basalt plains near Ararat or cutting through the cypress pine of the New England tablelands.

For hunters who also carry a sidearm for the pigs that root along the edge of the scrub, a look at Remington semi-auto handguns offers a reliable companion piece. While the shotgun handles the quail, a semi-auto handgun chambered in a suitable calibre sits comfortably in the chest rig for the wounded boar that breaks off into the tea-tree.

Shot Size and the Stubble Quail

Stubble quail are the bread and butter of upland hunting across the southern states, and they are small, quick, and notoriously tough to bring down cleanly if you pattern too tight. Most experienced shooters reckon shot sizes 7, 7.5, or 8 deliver the best balance of pellet count and energy for these birds at typical ranges of 20 to 30 metres. Shot size 9 can be effective in denser patterns at close range, but the pellets lose energy quickly in the open air and require precise lead.

The dense, consistent patterns of quality Remington hulls mean you do not need to overcompensate with smaller shot. A good modified choke with 7.5 shot will produce a pattern that fills the sky behind a flushing covey, giving you margin for error when the birds bank into the wind. For hunters working the thicker cover along the Murray River or the lignum along the back swamps, shot size 7 retains more energy through light cover than 8 or 9, though it sacrifices pellet count.

Payload, Velocity and Felt Recoil

Remington offers 20 gauge field shells at varying payloads, and the choice between a 7/8 ounce load and a 1 ounce load changes how the gun behaves in the hand. The lighter 7/8 ounce shells produce softer recoil and slightly higher velocities, making them pleasant for younger shooters or those who log long days behind a pointer. The trade-off is fewer pellets in the pattern, which can matter at the longer edges of your effective range when the covey rises out of range.

The standard 1 ounce load represents the middle ground that most Australian quailers settle on. It produces a dense pattern at 25 metres, manageable recoil for follow-up shots when multiple birds flush from the same patch of cover, and consistent components across production runs. For hunters who occasionally pursue the introduced California quail around the granite outcrops of southern New South Wales, or those who want a bit more authority on the rare larger partridge that might be encountered, stepping up to a 1 1/8 ounce load provides extra cushion.

Velocity matters more in the 20 gauge than in larger bores because the lighter payload loses energy faster downrange. Remington's high-velocity offerings push pellets faster, which helps maintain energy at the 30 to 35 metre mark. For most quail hunting scenarios in the typical Australian paddock, however, standard velocity 1 ounce shells hit the sweet spot of performance and pleasant shooting characteristics.

Choke Pairings and Pattern Management

Choke selection is where many Australian hunters overthink their leadings. For walking up quail in the typical mixed cover of native grass and saltbush, an improved cylinder or light modified choke delivers the best results. These chokes produce patterns that open up quickly at the ranges most quail are shot, giving you forgiveness on the angled crossing shot that defines most covey rises.

In the tighter cover of the cypress pine or the thick belts of tea-tree along the creek lines, a modified choke provides the extra pattern density needed to punch through light cover and reach the bird cleanly. Full chokes are generally too tight for typical upland work, patterning pellets into a small core that misses too many crossing birds when the wind swirls through the Wimmera wheat stubble.

For those who occasionally take a rifle out after the quail season closes, getting optics dialed in matters just as much as patterning a smoothbore. The process of sighting in a new scope on your Remington 783 follows familiar principles of group testing and adjustment that translate well from the patterning board to the range.

Matching the Load to the Hunt

A few combinations cover most Australian upland scenarios. For the early season when birds are holding tight in the millet stubble, a 1 ounce load at 1220 fps with 7.5 shot through an improved cylinder choke is a proven performer. For the late season when birds are wilder and rising at longer ranges, stepping up to a 1 1/8 ounce load at 1300 fps with 7 shot through a modified choke gives you the reach you need. The table below breaks down the most common Remington offerings and where each fits best.

Remington Load Payload Shot Size Velocity (fps) Best Use Case
Game Load 1 oz 7.5 or 8 1220 General quail hunting in mixed cover
ShurShot 7/8 oz 7.5 or 8 1300 Lighter recoil for long walks
Nitro Sporting 1 oz 7.5 or 8 1180 Lower recoil for training days
Premier High Velocity 1 1/8 oz 7 1300 Late season and longer shots

Reliable Combinations Worth Patterning

Choke and shell pairings that cover most conditions:

Field habits that make these loads work harder:

Get Ready for Opening Weekend

With quail season opening across the southern states in the autumn, now is the time to stock the safe with the right Remington loads and pattern them through the chokes you actually carry. Whether you are sorting out the right shotshell for the Wimmera stubble or dialing in a rifle scope for the deer season ahead, the right gear makes the difference between a long walk and a full bag. Contact our team to check current stock and get your orders sorted before the season opens.