Ultimate Shotgun: Upland Birds

[Dr.Rob]

I'm sick of tactical black and flashlights.

If you could have your choice of any shotgun (short of a hand made Holland and Holland or Purdy) used strictly for upland birds (pheasent being the biggest, down to quail and everything in between like chukkar, grouse, partidge, etc.) what shotgun would you choose and why?

I've hunted with an aging Winchester model 24 through the woods, and Remington 870.

I like the sighting plane of a double on fast moving birds, but the long barrels of the 24 are slow, and it's overbuilt for a shotgun... it's heavy and thick through the fore-end.

I was at a gun show recently and for now reason other than the heck of it, looked over a CZ Ringneck (wish they had the Durango and Coach gun too, but they didn't.)

The shotgun was LIGHT, fast and almost feeling like an old English fowler... a waspy wrist and an elegant grip. But the barrels were still too long.

And looking at the CZ site, the stock on the coach gun is far more to my liking... and I happen to like double triggers. I've hunted witha BP double with exposed hammers... it's hard to get them in motion on a bird. So since it's not for cowboy action, exposed hammers aren't a must.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products_shotguns.php?m=1

Were it possible... I'd love that coach gun stock, with double triggers and concealed hammers... extractors are fine thanks, and barrels with swappable chokes say... 24 inches long? Though I'd likely load it Mod/Full .12 ga of course. Maybe sling-able... it's always useful to have a sling, esp when taking a bird from a dog.

What would you choose?

 

[islandphish]

Gotta love a Browning Citori, any grade, any day of the week. Perfect for doves to ducks and pheasants. not a big fan of slung shotguns unless it is a slug gun.

 

[Striker]

I recently picked up a 16 Guage Savage Fox Mdl B, double triggers, with 26" barrels. Haven't used it on live birds yet, but it is a joy to swing and shoot (skeet). It may well replace everything as my upland bird gun of choice.

 

[ArmedBear]

I got to try one of these (first time I'd ever actually seen or touched one). If you can find it, and you don't mind the price tag for an unadorned gun, this would be my first choice in a SxS 12 Gauge for actual use:

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAPro...id=51&variation=12 Gauge&bct=Yes&type=Shotgun

I'm not a fan of Citori 12 Gauges with short barrels. Really weird swing, for me.

The Cynergy O/U, NOTHING like the Citori, swings a lot like a SxS, but has a sight picture I'm more used to. No more cash than the Ruger. A really neat gun, if you've never shot one.

There's always the 1100. I have a light sling on mine and it doesn't get in the way. Helps mitigate the weight of the gun, which isn't a problem for shooting, but starts to seem heavier after a long day on foot. Swings like a dream.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I used the three different guns for doves this year, kind of an experiment.

1. My Citori 12 ga, 26" barrels. I can hit pretty well with this gun, mainly because I've used it for over 20 years and I'm familiar with it. Good for everything from doves to turkeys.

2. A Stevens 311 sxs, 20 ga, 28" barrels. This one worked well as long as I remembered the double triggers. Nice swing on the longer shots.

3. A Baikal 28 ga sxs, 25" barrels, single trigger, ejectors. This one was the winner! The little thing points like pointing your finger. My percentage was actually the highest with this gun, as long as I didn't attempt the super long shots.

I'l probably take my Citori pheasant hunting, but I have no doubt I could do well with the 28 ga if I loaded up some #5 or 6 shot.

ArmedBear, that Cynergy Sporting is an intriguing gun. I need to shoot one sometime.

 

[Chuck R.]

I had my “ultimate” upland gun built, or rather re-built a few years ago.

I started with an A.H. Fox 20Ga SxS that has been in my family for 3 generations now, since before WW2. Unfortunately, it looked like it had been through WW2. Somewhere along the line my grandfather decided to make it a “youth” model by cutting the stock down, then as the shooter grew, the stock piece was added back on. It worked for my dad, an older brother and me. I guess when I was learning on it I was also guilty of some neglect, so it was looking pretty rough.

A couple years ago I sent it off to Doug Turnbull for a restoration job. I also had it engraved with a pattern from “the Fox Book”, restocked in fancy walnut (fit to me), and the barrels opened up to IC/M. It’s now one gorgeous upland gun that gets out for fair weather quail hunts.

When my boy gets older, it will be passed on to him, the fourth generation.

I think he’ll have to grow into the stock as is though.

Chuck

 

[ArmedBear]

BTW there is a Citori I'd consider for this application, just not the everyday variety.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=008B&cat_id=013&type_id=055

6lb. 4oz. and 43" OAL in 12 Gauge. They (or similar older models) turn up at shows for WELL under $1000 now and again.

 

[TrapperReady]

I'm wary of attaching the "Ultimate" title to anything. However, last year I came very close to picking up a Caesar Guerini Magnus Light. The 12ga model felt no heavier than most 20ga field models and seemed to fit me perfectly.

One week from tomorrow, I'm heading for South Dakota to try my year-old GSP on wild roosters. I'm still not positive which gun(s) are going along for the trip, although I'm leaning towards our Benelli Montefeltro 12ga.

 

[PJR]

The shotgun I did choose was a Spanish-made sxs. For a price not much more than a higher grade Citori I ended up with a custom sidelock made to my measurements. The gun has double triggers, straight stock and a splinter forend.

Built on a 16 gauge frame it weighs 6 pounds 9 ounces. The 28 inch barrels are choked skeet and light modified. Most of my upland hunting is for ruffed grouse with some preserve pheasant. The skeet choke is good for the typical short grouse shot but the light modified will easily reach out to 45 yards which is as far as I want to shoot a bird in any event.

If I didn't have this gun I'd probably be still shooting a 20 gauge Citori with 28barrels and choke tubes.

 

[HSMITH]

I don't know for sure which gun it would be for me, but it would be a VERY trim and extremely fat free 20ga SxS, full chokes in both barrels if fixed chokes, pistol grip stock, and 26-28" barrels. Something in the 5-5.5 pound range would be perfect.

I too am sick of the tactical this and ninja that. Have been for a long time too.....

 

[Ed/Pa]

Upland Bird gun: Stevens SxS Model 311 20ga. 28"barrels. Hands down.

I use basically the same gun (Eastern Arms) made in 1938 double triggers . Grew up shooting it and still love it. It's downed a lot of pheasents, and grouse.

By the way the price on the Stevens is still reasonable ,although I think my Great grandfather probably paid $35. in 1938....ha then again that was a lot back then.

 

[PJR]

I too am sick of the tactical this and ninja that. Have been for a long time too.....

Tactical guns have their place in the scheme of things. But it's like comparing a milk wagon pony to a stakes winning thoroughbred. There is no piece of tactical ninja plastic BS anywhere that can compare something like this.



Its a FAMARS. I pawed one for an extended period in England last winter that was actually nicer than the one pictured above. I have never been so seduced by a gun. I couldn't afford it but it was a major act of willpower not to put all my credit cards on the table and buy it on the spot. I could have paid it off eventually, maybe.

I still dream of it.

 

[Broadbill]

Ive got a 20ga Bernadelli Gamecock imported by Charles Daly that is a dream to hold and carry. 23" SxS, double triggers, splinter forend, fixed imp/mod, a perfect upland gun. I just lucked into it years ago. Someone was asking $200.
I grabbed it in an instant.

Broadbill

 

[Gordon]

The Bernadelli Game cock sounds VERY interesting and you win the best deal award!
My take on an upland game gun is this:
OK you seem to like a SxS, well it is hard to beat the discontinued Browning BSS for anything less than $3000 in a SxS:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=58297407

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=58314784

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=58444613


The next step up (maybe up!) in a New gun is the Beretta 626 like this:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=58364473

My take on the SxS deal is: I like smaller forearms, I like pistol grips, the rounded ones especially nice! I wouldn't EVER want an upland SxS with a barrel shorter than 25" (as a specialty quail gun , prolly in smaller guages) as they don't swing worth a hoot as any pro hunter will quickly tell you!

I shoot a 1971 Browning BSS 12 gauge with slimmed down foreend and rounded pistol grip, profressionally re checkered and finished and adjusted. The Barrels are 28" and choked Imp. cylinder and modified with lengthed forceing cones and the patterns regulated and brought to the sights. I bought the gun for $800 5 years ago and spent $1000 on makeing it perfect for me. I am sure I will wear out before it does and then they are easily repaired!

However, I hunt upland game with an O/U mostly. I prefer one in 20 ga that weighs about 6.5 pounds and has a 28" barrel. The gun I have found best for me, and I've tried Rizzinis and Perrazzis, is the (once again discontinued) Winchester 101, although the Browning Citori Lightnings are REAL Close second!

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=58623717

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976748922.htm

This gun does it all for me!

 

[Dave McCracken]

I kinda shy away from threads with "Ultimate" in the title, but....

An 870 works for me. But, I did let a great upland gun go a while back and would love to get it back.

Nobody's ever heard of the maker. Didierfusil was engraved on it, and also a couple gold medal stamps. A French and/or Belgian Boxlock SxS in 12 gauge, and chambered for the old 2 1/2" shell. Basically, I swapped an extra 10/22 for it.

27" barrels, swamped top rib, NO bottom rib. Only one piece of metal connected the barrels forward of the receiver. The ivory bead sat between the muzzles rather than on top.

The action bore engraving that was well done, in an acorn and oak leaf pattern. The barrels had one simple little ring of engraving at the breech, and the chokes were opened to 8 and 15 POC when the chambers were lengthened..

6 lbs, 5 oz.

The stock was well made, very nice wood under clouded finish, with a checkered butt and some cast.No pad nor plate. Nicely shaped wood that conformed to the contours of the upper chest and shoulder so well it seemed kickless with 1 1/8 oz trap loads. Straight grip, long tang to the TG.

It shot superbly. While the stock was short for me, it worked well enough that I took three woodcock with it on the same day and consecutively. Never needed the left barrel either.

I imagine it would really shine with the lighter loads I now use. Alas, a friend offered me more money than I had in it at the same time as the first tuition bill for Daughter's college showed up.

I at least know it's well taken care of.....

 

[BozemanMT]

Dr Rob, I remember you being a pretty big guy (6' or so), 26/28" barrels on a SxS should be perfect for you.
An upland gun, quick to snap to shoulder is a nice SxS.
I have a ringneck and shot a TON through it, it's good, but what I really love is my Beretta Silverhawk.
Weighs just over 6lbs (the ringneck actually weighs close to 8, see how used you are to overweight tactical guns ) and with that slim english stock and it just snaps right up. I actually shoot better from low gun than premounted.

Get a nice SxS (CZ even makes an english stock version of the ringneck, I forget what it's called and the draconion corporate nazis block out CZ's website) and you'll be hooked. The longer barrels help you swing, trust me a light SxS is whippy and you tend to stop, a longer barrel helps prevent that.

Probably a 14.5 or so LOP and some 26/28" barrels in a SxS would be perfect for you.

 

[Karbon]

PJR...

Now that was a beautiful gun.

Looks like it's made out of silver.

 

[charby]

My personal ultimate upland shotgun is a Beretta Pintail I picked up about 10 years ago. It has a 24" barrel and quick to swing on ring-necks and woodcock. Its light to carry in the field and recoil is very manageable even on 3" duck loads.

My second favorite is a 311 Stevens that I have, 28" barrels mod/imp for the chokes. This was the shotgun I carried before I bought the Beretta, I like it a lot becuase I only paid $90 for it in 1993.

-C

 

[sargenv]

My two guns of choice are ones I already own. An early 80's Remington 870 Wingmaster Magnum in 20 gauge and a later 90's Browning Gold Hunter in 12. I recently picked up some Heavyshot in 20 gauge from one of the online dealers and picked up some 4's and 6's that I'm going to use for early season ducks with the Wingmaster. It is a pretty light pump and a joy to shoot.

The Gold hunter is my main go to gun for everything else. I use it for 3-gun with an extended tube, and also for upland game and waterfowl. It usually get comments of "nice stock" when seen at long gun matches.

The last gun that I no longer have access to was a 12 gauge Grade VI Browning Citori that dad sold to my cousin. I told my cousin that if he ever sells it, I have dibs on purchasing it from him. It is the silver model with the gold inlaying and engraving on it. It too has very nice wood stocks.

Tactical/practical is fine in it's place, but you look kind of silly with that kind of hardware while hunting or sitting in a duck blind. Not to mention the fact that you have to use a very large plug to remain hunting compliant (1 in chamber, 2 in mag).

Vince

 

[Dr.Rob]

the ringneck actually weighs close to 8, see how used you are to overweight tactical guns

No I don't own a black tactical shotgun... I was comparing the CZ to the model 24 Winchester. I was starting off 'in general' saying a lot of the threads in this forum are all about tricked out combat shotguns rather than elegant birdslayers.

The 24 doesn't seem light or elegant or fast in any way shape or form... but it works.

 

[sixgunner455]

Mine is a Spanish SxS, 20 guage, double triggers. My current one is a Zabala. It isn't my ultimate, but it's close. It balances well, points well, fits me pretty well, and knocks birds down. It's light, and it just feels right to carry it after doves and quail. I did a preserve hunt on pheasant with it once, as well. I'll probably get an Ugartechea in a coin finish reciever someday. Lovely guns.

What I really want is a drilling (maybe a Krieghoff if I sell a book and get rich ) in the traditional 2 shotgun above/1 rifle barrel below pattern, with the rifle barrel chambered for some easy kicking medium bore cartridge like a .30-30 or 7mm Mauser. The shotgun barrels, the biggest I'd go would be 16 guage, but I'd rather have it in 20. The wood will be nice but not super fancy walnut, hand-checkered, and the reciever would be finished either color case hardened or in silver coin. It will have nice attachment points for a sling.

I want that. Bad. They are lovely, but that's not the only reason. I want a rifle at hand in case some coyote or mt lion goes after one of my bird dogs. No pistol will be to hand as quickly as a rifle already in hand, and no pistol can have the range, accuracy, or terminal effect to compare.

 

[BozemanMT]

thank goodness this thread is still alive, I am SO SICK of reading about all the tactical shotguns. Give us at least one "pretty" thread.

Dr Rob, go down to the Bass Pro Shops out in Aurora and go into their high end gun room. You can't afford any of those but who cares, they will let you shoulder them. Amazing.

Then you will really know what you want.

a nice 6lb english stocked light snap to shoulder SxS
like this:

Description: From top -
Westley Richards SLE
Purdey SL
Boss O/U
Purdey SLE

No, they aren't mine. :-(

 

[BozemanMT]

More
Because I love these, even if none of them are mine.

Description: two Grulla Bespoken guns.
#1 gun top 12ga. 216 RB 30" barrels
#2 gun bottom 16/20ga. 216 RB 30" barrels

the Conn. Shotgun RBL at a show

If she can shoot one, so you can you Dr Rob.

Edit and a damn fine use of post #900.

 

[redneck2]

Not nearly in the same category as some of the above guns, but in the realm of actually affordable for the unwashed masses...

I had a Red Label 28 gauge. Shot well over 50% pass shooting doves. Light as a .22. English stocked. With the heavier loads you equal the lighter 12 gauge offerings. Great to carry.

 

[BozemanMT]

Another option for you, and probably a world class gun for a reasonble price that you can give to your kids in your old old age.

Galazan Shotgun's RBL launch edition.
http://rblshotgun.com/




$2799, that's a hell of a deal for a made in America world class SxS in 2006/07