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Pretty open ended question here, but for Pheasant, Quail, Chukkor etc - what is everyone’s opinion on the best all round upland gauge and shotgun?
Also if anyone has time, some advice on hunting Chukkor, never hunted them let alone seen them and very keen to dedicate a week to them next year/season. Only want two or so and to get my pointer working in some big country for a bit of an adventure,
Cheers
Personally I like the 20 gauge. Should be on a smaller lighter frame than the 12g so makes it easier to carry.
Looking around and reading as much as I can I like the look of the Rizzini 20g over/under with interchoke, anyone using?
20ga Beretta SP3 or SP5 field gun (I have the SP3) is a really great light gun. I use mine with 1/4 and 1/4 choke for pheasant and quail (just not this year as circumstances changed) its my Huntin gun, I have a 12ga specifically for clays
couple of guys have Rizzini 12ga's at my Club. Nice guns, rust easily mindQuote:
Originally Posted by Benfransham
I always had an inkling for a 20g years ago.
I was in Gun city and was being a pain in the butt getting them all down for me to try out. I wasn't buying anything but they didn't know that.
There was a bunch of new rugers up there and they felt nice and were about 2500 bucks from memory. The last one I got down was magical. Nice and light, It seemed to fit, point, balance, you name it, all perfectly. Except for shooting it was just the shizzle. I swear I cold feel the light side of the force flowing through me and to this day would be the nicest feeling shotgun I've ever shouldered
Second hand browning at 4500 dolleros, that was why it felt so good Big deep sigh and handed it back
I rate the 20 ( and the 28) high for upland, I dont even have a 12 anymore .... thats how much use they got once I changed to lighter guns.
Like it has been said the 20 should be on a proper sized frame for its gauge and not a "cheapie" built on a 12 gauge frame as then it will be a heavy gun. Most are around the 6lb mark which makes them more responsive ( if thats the right word) for those fast flying quail and chuks.
You can find good second hand guns in the 1500 to 2500 range. You could get lucky and get one for less.
As for shot size I go for 6's on everything Screw in chokes are a bonus if you go for different game on different days, I have a skeet and 1/2 in my Miroku that have never been out apart from a clean up and overhaul at the end of the season.
If you get extended chokes they help to protect the end of the muzzles from dings and marks, especially if you move around your hunting area in a vehicle.
Mine is a yildiz SxS 20ga. Can't usually hit shit with it but it's very agile so I persist...
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Pity 16ga 'died' due to lack of support outside of Europe, and US fixation with 'bigger is better'.
Used to shoot clays with a 12, but have always thought a 16 would be ideal clay/duck/upland gun.
Can't find 16 ammo/reloading components anywhere and guns are usually old/clunker SxS hammer guns.
If 12 isn't your bag, looks like 20 is the next best thing.
Plus lead isn't 'verboten' for sub gauges - YET.
Just my 2c worth
Huglu shotguns still do a SxS 16ga still.Quote:
Originally Posted by WallyR
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Ive got a Remington pump 410. Its a neat little gun. Bought it for the missus to use out with me.Quote:
Originally Posted by berg243
I would've preferred a 20g as 410 ammo is way dear but it is a nimble little bugger.
@WallyRQuote:
Originally Posted by WallyR
The Mai Mai Supplies Limited - PRODUCTS
@mikee
Cheers mate - will check the website out.
Still lots 16ga shotguns about, I've got a couple Fair U/O, and a 1100 semi in 16ga, Browning has made a run of A5 sweet 16ga and I see 3-4 for sale up here in Canada.
As for hunting Chukor, I've hunted them a bit up here in Canada on bird preserves, and several times 20 years ago in Marlborough, they are very quick and flighty, and I recall lots of walking, in very steep country, for very few shot's, and they disappeared down into the valley below, as a great rate of knots. offering few shooting chances.
I take a light fast handling shotgun, that you shoot well with, Id likely take my 16ga fair or a SXS 20ga. I had a 28ga Franchi, horrible trigger, and had auto reset to safety on, that I detest, I like another, better quality 28ga for upland, they very light and fast to handle,
Beretta Silver Pigeon (over n under)
Benelli 828U (over n under)
New Beretta A400 Upland (semi) that is coming
Beretta A400 Ultralite (Semi)
I love the 16. It has the power of a 20ga and the heft of a 12.Quote:
Originally Posted by WallyR
:P
Did I get that right??? ;)
I'm a bit of an anachronist. I have a bunch of 16s...several drillings, a Gbr. Adamy SXS, a Rem 870 old corncob, and a Rem 11-48 that looks new, an old single shot Savage 220, and a Stevens bolt action, all in 16 gauge.
I realize that the 3" 20ga will do what the 16 does, but the 20 has become as dull as the 12ga. ...just joking...I love all sporting shotguns that are blue steel and wood.
That boy learned to shoot chuckar with a Savage 220 20ga 64 years ago.
https://i.imgur.com/Cv0vwME.jpg
I've been a fan of the 20ga for a long time but have pretty much fazed them out of my collection, instead going with light weight 12's shooting an ounce/28gram loads of 6's. I have a Bernardelli copy of a Churchill XXV all steel and walnut that weighs in a 5 lb 15 oz and a Darne at the same weight that are just a pleasure to carry and lightning to mount. I still have a smattering of 16's but mostly in Drilling and a pretty little Spanish sxs.
I’ve used a Winchester pigeon grade on all in 12 bore. I keep the load size brown never more than 6 32gram, have even used 7.5 24gram as there a load more lead in the air:)
Have tried 20 and 16 but I like the 12 it’s not that much more in weight.
I have two 16 gauges a browning sweet 16 and a cape gun, the a5 is a beauty to carry and shoot, normaly i use eley trap ammo which is plenty for quail and pheasent. Last season it was my duck gun for a last outing before leads banned.
Browning started making 16s again a few years ago too i see.
I run a U/O 20g for a number of years. It wasn't expensive either, but at 2.6kg, it was ideal for long days climbing around the tops chasing Chukar for days in a row. This year I'm going to run a two and half inch 1936 BSA 12g Side by Side with black powder loads. The gun is proofed, so likely to have a handful of smokeless rounds in my vest too.
The 20g I was shooting for a Yildiz and regreat selling it. I would buy another tomorrow if I needed one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Uplandstalker