Like Hidalgo says, get a MEC reloader for 12ga. It's hard to beat a MEC for value in a single stage or progressive shotshell loader. Most of what you know about metalic loading will not apply to shotshells, so do your homework.
We shoot more pheasants every year here in SD than you will ever see in Indiana in a lifetime. You don't need a 3" or 3 1/2" shell to hold all the lead you need for a pheasant. A 2 3/4" Winchester AA hull is all you need for pheasants out to 45 yards. Hard lead shot and a full choke will put a deadly pattern on a 40 yard bird.
This is what I, and many others consider a fine pheasant load for the 12 ga. If this load doesn't put them down with authority, it's likely it was your fault.
Winchester AA 2 3/4" Hull
Winchester (or equivalent Claybuster) AA12R (Red Wad)
1 3/8 oz. # 5 hard lead shot
28.1 grains Hodgdon Longshot powder
Winchester #209 primer
