Shotgun Choice for Upland Game

[E.T.]

I guess I am on a roll for choice of shotguns for a particular application. For upland game I prefer using an over/under that has more maneuverability in tighter situations. Also having shots where distance from moving game can increase rapidly it is nice that a follow up shot can come from a tighter choke. This has really proven itself with say pheasants, ruffed grouse or even fleeing cottontails. What I also like about only having two shots instead of three is that more care is taken when pulling the trigger. Since owning an over/under I seem to hit more game because of the extra care in shot placement.

But with any equipment there is also a negative side or extra care involved. On one such occasion while hiking through tall vegetation I had to quickly reload one time and afterwards only 1 barrel would fire. When examining the shell from the unfired chambered only a light indentation on the primer was seen and I assumed that a problem in the firing mechanism had developed.
When I returned home and removed the barrels from the stock portion for cleaning I noticed a dry chunk of weed stem was lodged in with one of the flat action bars found here and removed it. Then proceeded to take a spent casing and replace the spent primer with a new primer only to try in the chamber that would not fire. When the trigger was pulled I knew I found my problem and had a corrective action if I experienced this problem again.

For my purposes I only own 12gauge shotguns but would enjoy hearing from others their choice of style, action or gauge when going field hunting. Comments for choice would be appreciated.

Ed T

[Rifleman]

For quail and rabbits I prefer a 20 gauge. I like the lighter recoil and range doesn't seem to be a problem as they don't require alot to anchor. I like good autoloaders and a Citori o/u would be nice, I just hate to take a nice one rabbit huting, cause I would beat it up for sure ;D

[DaveK]

I am shooting an old SxS (12ga. Baker, have several). It appears as if they ALL came choked F&F. I had one of the Bakers changed to imp/cyl. in the right barrel and Mod. in the left barrel. For me this has proven perfect so far for upland game.

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

I have a couple that I use depending on the game. I used to chase quail in California, it tiik LOTS of walking in hot weather, and the birds were few & far apart. I have a Franchi 48AL 20 ga. that was just right. It weighs a shade over 5#, and at the end of the day is still feels like 5#. The gun does seem a bit "whippy" compared to the heavier guns that I normally shoot.

Waterfowl? The little that I do has me reaching for my 3" Mag 1100. It has a Baker Big Bore Barrel on it, and it seems to really like steel shot. I need to pick up a turkey barrel for it 'cause my turkey gun was turned into a slug gun for deer.

Most everything else I grab one of my O/U's. For any hunting that won't get the gun scratched up, I use my Citori, for the rougher stuff, I have a Nikko Golden Eagle. The Nikko has fixed chokes F/IM, but with handloads I can make it shoot any choke that I need.

Blue-Dot-37.5

[tcmech]

I grew up rabbit hunting with a fox 16ga sxs, 26" improved and modified. I use this for just about everything except turkey or deer. I could probably use it for those but I have a mossberg with a rifled barrel and a 3x9 scope for deer hunting. For turkey I use a turkish made traditions semi auto with an extra full choke. If I were to carry a gun other than the 16 for bird hunting it would be my wifes berretta a390 20ga. I have to agree with rifleman, no need for the recoil (or weight) of the twelve gauge when you don't need it. I also like just about all the o/u shotguns I have seen, I just do not want to pay for them.

[E.T.]

Really enjoyed and am grateful for the responses. My focus of interest turned to 20Ga. comments. Being a member of the half-century club with some reduced (just a little ;D) stamina for long or full day hunt the 20 Ga. sounds like the ticket for woodcock, cottontails and grouse.
For pheasants I am a little reluctant for changing from the 12Ga because of a few past experiences. One such episode was tagging a pheasant in the air at a guesstimated 25-30yds. 1-1/4 oz #4 shot with a velocity around 1300fps. Displaced enough feathers for a pillowcase and the bird dropped like a rock into tall grass. Surprisingly it took my dog Shadow over 5 minutes to run it down before the cock bird was retrieved.

But enough good comments about the 20GA. has convinced me that one such shotgun should be occupying some space in my gun cabinet for 2005.

Thanks

Ed T

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

NewKid:

Pheasants are a lot like Big Game animals. If the shot isn't in the right place, they will run for miles! I've learned to ignore the tail/center of perceived mass and focus on the head of the bird. If you think pheasants are hard to kill, try shooting barnyard pigeons! We use them to train the Springers, and they are harder to bring down than the pheasants. I use #7's (not 7 1/2's) at 1330 for the first shot in a IM choke, then buffered #6's at 1380 fps for the 2nd shot on both birds. The load that I have for the #6's will kill pheasants to 80+ yards if the lead is correct. In hunting I never try for shots like that, but a trainer that I used to shoot for requested that the birds be shot that far out so the dogs would get used to a long retrieve.

Isn't it a pleasure to hunt with a good dog?

If you reload, there are a few recipes for 3/4 oz. in the 20 ga. which makes for a very soft shooting gun for a new shooter.

Blue-Dot-37.5

[Rifleman]

There is a Factory load I really like. 12 gauge remington. It is a cheap promo load. 7/8 oz at I think it was 1500 fps but I cant remember. Low recoil, and great for the skeet field. I like to honk the old guys at my club off sometimes and shoot that, I shoot 7 high/low and doubles one handed with my 1187. Smokes the birds and the old codgers ;D

[DaveK]

My old SxS's are all either Damascus or Twist barreled. So I load low pressure and load 1oz. loads. My loads are all in the under 6500psi range and in the 1175 +or- fps. Recoil is virtually nonexistant and these loads are a pleasure to shoot. Because these old guns are also short chambered I do load shortened shells and roll crimp them. I then use the same loads in my modern trap/hunting guns and I think they are even softer than shooting my 20ga. Rem. 1100. But hey, if the excuse is needed for another gun, go for it! ;D

[E.T.]

Blue-Dot-37.5

You are absolutely right about having a dog along on a small game hunt. Who just wants to be a part of the hunt and proudly returns with the game harvested. Also knowing that very little amount of game is ever lost when a dog is present makes the hunt even more enjoyable.

As for barnyard pigeon shooting in open fields well did I get an education my first time around. I got invited by a couple of boys to join them one time and accepted. My first few attempts were total misses so I increased my lead with still no success. The boys were enjoying this with some good verbal ribbing. It wasn’t until my sixth or seventh shot where I thought I over lead the bird that I connected. Okay Boys now that I know how the game is played let the fun begin. They are a lot faster than thought and require a substantial lead. You are right about knocking one down because a few I rocked seemed to quickly recover and continue on their merry way. Afterwards I was treated to an unbelievable supper of wild grain fed pigeons. Woodcock population is down but pigeons are plentiful and surprisingly a good meal when done right.

Your recommendation for shot size for pheasants is a good one when working with pointing dogs that allow you a close approach. I have only enjoyed this once over the years and loved every minute of it.
The population of wild pheasants here is really low and in some conservation areas pen raised cock birds only are released with a small fee to hunt. Often I hunt alone lately with my Lab mix and the art of pointing is none existent with him. Usually he ranges 10-20 yds. from me but when he gets on a hot scent even I have haul butt sometimes to keep this range. This is why I use #4 shot that has produced the best results for me from fleeing birds usually headed away from me. Should the opportunity to hunt with a pointing dog appear again #6 shot would be my first choice.

Rifleman – your humor is infectious with laughter and always enjoyed.

Enjoyed everyone’s post and again thanks for joining in.

Ed T

[Rifleman]

[Douglas Blair]

My favorite shotgun for anything from squirrels to grouse is a Franchi AL-48 in 20 gauge. At 5 pounds 2 ounces (yes this is what mine weighs) you can carry it all day long and also get on a bird as fast as pointing your finger. I really love this semi-auto.

[Rifleman]

That franchi is a real nice upland gun Doug, my boss bought one when he retired his old 1100.

[Douglas Blair]

Yes it is. I have had mine since way back in the 70's and the only thing about one is the reciol. They do "kick" a lot more than my 1100 in 12 gauge.

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

Doug:

They sure do feel funny too when you're used to shooing an O/U!

My biggest problem is getting used to the different swing due to the difference in weight.

Blue-Dot-37.5

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

Doug:

But they sure do feel funny when your used to shooting an O/U! My biggest problem is getting used to the difference in the swing due to the difference in weight of the gun.

Blue-Dot-37.5

[Rifleman]

I have to say I really like o/u's on the target field, and in the hunting field I just get to nervous about scratching them up, other wise that is probably all I would use, other then my 10 gauge for waterfowl. I really like that cannon, plan on going in the morning. Lord willing I will get to shoot some more ducks and geese with it. I have been using hevi shot but I am almost out. Gonna shoot some Winchester dry lock #2's and Remington premiers BB's. If I get to shoot them all it will be a really good day !

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

Well, how'd ya do? With the storm moving in, they should be moving.

Blue-Dot-37.5

[Rifleman]

Terrible, one mallard in the boat, but I missed mine !

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

Don't ya hate those kamakazi ducks!! ;D

Once (and only once!) I shot a dove, reached out and caught it without moving my feet. My dog looked at me as if to say "Why did you bring me along?"

Blue-Dot-37.5

[walt cowan]

my buddy had a purdy 28 double. barrels were 26 inches, single triger. would hammer just about anything on wing or tree. he found it leaning against a tree while squirrel hunting. had a light rust , two spent shells and a mud dobber inside one barrel. he looked around the woods, looking for the owner or his remains. he found nothing. posted a note at the local store and headed home. over 20 years later, he was hunting the same patch of woods. getting ready to leave, he sat the gun against a tree. yeup! thats right! he drove off and left the gun. about 3 hours latter he came back. no gun. he likes to say that the owner found it. i like to think 20 years from now , it'll be lost and found again.

[Rifleman]

Must have been coopers old shotgun

[TKO]

Browning B-80 Lightweight Upland version with English stock.

[bubba]

well, okay, here goes.

I have an older skb model 500 o/u 20ga, 26in, imp/mod.

Nice gun, not the prettiest piece in the world, but fits me well and shoots well too. Nice and light.

Use to have a ruger 28ga o/u, too light for me, couldnt hit the barn door when inside it with it.

-bubba

[Douglas Blair]

Blue Dot I have hunted with this Franchi so long I can point it like my finger. A friend who hunts with me said I was the fastest draw in the east. ;D

[Predator II]

I have a pair of Beretta 391s one is a 12 the other is a 20. I shoot doves, phesants, chukars and pigeons with one or the other depending on how much walking is involved. Both are fairly light, have synthetic stocks, are easy on the shoulder, and work very well. I have about quit reloading shot shells because they can be bought at any mart pretty cheap. 100/$15. I like the 20 for rabbits and squirrels.

[Tom]

Well i guess I'll throw my .02 worth in I use a 20 ga. o/u SKB for just about everything. I have a setter so most of the time birds are close. However, after a couple of days of gunin into them they will flush ahead of the point that's when I switch to the 12 ga. For ducks and such I have an old Rem 870 wingmaster 12 ga. 30 inch full choke that gets um every time.
Phesants are my # 1 bird to hunt not that we have a lot but where I hunt you will see enough birds to get your limit every time you go.

[corncob]

I have a Ruger OU and think the world of it. I also shoot the Benelli M1 S90 in 12 & 20 and have no regrets there either. However, I would have to agree that the Franchi 20 ga. recommendation should be given serious consideration.

Barrel lengths are a whole new topic. I like short barrels and I know that goes against conventional wisdom. The Ruger is 26" and the Benelli's are 24, unless I'm pointing at a tom, and then it is an 18.5" barrel.

BR's - CC

[retrieverman]

My shotgun of choice for the last 10 years is a Benelli M1 Super 90 with a 21" barrel. I have hunted deer and hogs as well as quail, ducks, and geese. I shoot skeet and sporting clays and have no trouble with the short barrel. I have 4 other Benelli's of different barrel lengths and take the 21" for my all around gun.

[ozark]

I have a 20 gauge slide action shotgun that I am completely satisfied with but I use it strictly for turkey and it is scoped. As far as range is concerned the 20 sends pellets out as far as the 12 but in some cases fewer. If we shoot 1.5 ounces of No. 4s in the 20 and the 12 at the same velocity we should get the same results provided the chokes are the same. But in that case the 20 is going to recoil as much as the 12 provided the weight of the two guns are equal. Turkey hunters are looking for a tight pattern so that head and neck shots can be taken while with fleeing rabbits, phesants, quail and the like this would be a handicap and more misses would result. 10, 12, 16 or 20 are all great and I for one am glad we have the choices.
Whatever we use there is a chance of failing to anchor our game instantly. It is just a thing that we must live with and try to avoid.