12 Gauge for Upland Hunting
- Thread starter texasjohn50
- Start date
I grew up hunting quail in Georgia with a twelve gauge. We always used number 8. Never tore up too much meat unless the quail was really close and got hammered. I use the same now or 7 1/2 for hungarian partridge which are about the same size.
Choke selection is just as important as shot selection and this depends on the type of game hunted.
Pheasant/jack rabbits will generally require a tighter choke and heavier shot while grouse/woodcock/quail would be best with an open choke and smaller shot.
Pheasant/jack rabbits will generally require a tighter choke and heavier shot while grouse/woodcock/quail would be best with an open choke and smaller shot.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Wild or Game Farm birds? I haven't hunted Quail since I had moved to Canada. Some of the preserves in Southern ON do offer that too.
As already mentioned, #7.5 or more preferably #8 through IC choke. Do allow the bird to get out a bit prior to taking the shot so as to avoid pulverizing it completely.
"...12 gauge be overkill..." Nope. Change the choke and use 7.5's or 8's.
"...I grew up hunting quail..." It's always a good idea to listen to a guy who grew up hunting 'em.
"...Some of the preserves in Southern ON do offer that too..." There are no wild quail in Ontario. The mosquitoes would carry them off. snicker.
"...I grew up hunting quail..." It's always a good idea to listen to a guy who grew up hunting 'em.
"...Some of the preserves in Southern ON do offer that too..." There are no wild quail in Ontario. The mosquitoes would carry them off. snicker.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
ExeterGameFarm dot com (Exeter, ON) would be a good place to go.......should you be in range for that location. I noted that he stocks Bobwhites and the rates are very reasonable. Use of a bird dog is also complimentary.
His grounds are all flat, and therefore, will be ideal for planting/chasing Quail. Just ensure precaution
with the dog out front as the bird, as you may already know, is a low flyer.
BirdsEyeViewGameFarm dot ca (Cobourg, ON) is another good place. His grounds are more typical of the reasonable Upland settings. I understand that he stocks both Bobwhite and Japanese Quails. Birds dog charges are extra at this establishment.
His grounds are all flat, and therefore, will be ideal for planting/chasing Quail. Just ensure precaution
with the dog out front as the bird, as you may already know, is a low flyer.BirdsEyeViewGameFarm dot ca (Cobourg, ON) is another good place. His grounds are more typical of the reasonable Upland settings. I understand that he stocks both Bobwhite and Japanese Quails. Birds dog charges are extra at this establishment.
12 gauge is not overkill for small birds if light loads are used. A few years ago on a preserve chukar hunt another shooter suggested I was using too much gun and declared that no one needed more than his 20 gauge. I picked up one of his hulls -- 3" magnum, 1-1/4 ounce #6.
So much for too much gun. My load was 25 gram #7-1/2.
So much for too much gun. My load was 25 gram #7-1/2.
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
Skip farm raised Quial especially the Japanese Coturnix Quail, I would suggest chukars for a beginner interested in preserve shooting.
The Coturnix and Bobwhite you get on preserves are one step away from chickens as most of them come from large scale hatcheries. If you could raise small numbers in large flight pens you could almost emulate wild quail.
As far as a 12 gauge for Upland preserve hunting shooting a 24 gram load or 7/8 ounce loads is an excellent idea. I tend to favour open chokes and an ounce of 7 1/2's for little birds.
I will be shooting Eley 1 ounce loads tomorrow as I am one of three gunners/ bird handlers for a dog trial, I killed 37 or so chukars at the last trial and all were clean kills with no real meat damage.
The Coturnix and Bobwhite you get on preserves are one step away from chickens as most of them come from large scale hatcheries. If you could raise small numbers in large flight pens you could almost emulate wild quail.
As far as a 12 gauge for Upland preserve hunting shooting a 24 gram load or 7/8 ounce loads is an excellent idea. I tend to favour open chokes and an ounce of 7 1/2's for little birds.
I will be shooting Eley 1 ounce loads tomorrow as I am one of three gunners/ bird handlers for a dog trial, I killed 37 or so chukars at the last trial and all were clean kills with no real meat damage.
I still think 12g is too much gun for upland bird hunting.
Not so much because of the gauge, but because of the gun itself - at the end of a long day of walking for birds, a 20g or smaller is much appreciated!
*edited to add, if you're not going far, nothing wrong with the 12g!
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Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
As much as I favor the sub gauge.....
To be candid, from a more broader perspective as far as Upland hunting is concerned - a 12ga is neither too much gun nor overkill for such utility. It is practically the most versatile shotgun.
The "appropriate" 12ga game gun could actually weigh anywhere from 6.5-7lbs and yet feel more like a 6lbs gun in terms of handling/balance etc.......I'm talking breechloading double guns mainly.
Moreover, as already mentioned, one could always tweak loads ranging from 7/8oz upwards and still obtain superior patterns overall when compared to a 16 or 20ga shotgun. A proper game gun is not really designed for use with heavy loads in the first place anyway. IMO, rather than the gauge its the type of loads used that could be viewed as overkill.
Admittedly, technology and mechanical design improvements have also made it possible for folks with different preference to choose from either a semi-auto or slide action shotgun in the somewhat similar 12ga bird gun category. The Benelli or Ithaca Ultralight specimens may be considered as examples.
Type of bore type selection criteria will also be highly dependent on the species of game bird(s), shooting/hunting conditions one may generally encounter. In ON, for example, one could easily make do with a 20 or 28ga (Wingshooting point of view)....the same will not apply for chasing birds in other parts of North America or the Globe.
Bottomline, an Upland Game Gun, in the true sense, will be built accordingly as such. Obviously, the same will also definitely be nowhere near the category of a 12ga Browning Citori or an 870 Wingmaster (just examples) no matter how well "polished" the later firearms may be.
To be candid, from a more broader perspective as far as Upland hunting is concerned - a 12ga is neither too much gun nor overkill for such utility. It is practically the most versatile shotgun.
The "appropriate" 12ga game gun could actually weigh anywhere from 6.5-7lbs and yet feel more like a 6lbs gun in terms of handling/balance etc.......I'm talking breechloading double guns mainly.
Moreover, as already mentioned, one could always tweak loads ranging from 7/8oz upwards and still obtain superior patterns overall when compared to a 16 or 20ga shotgun. A proper game gun is not really designed for use with heavy loads in the first place anyway. IMO, rather than the gauge its the type of loads used that could be viewed as overkill.
Admittedly, technology and mechanical design improvements have also made it possible for folks with different preference to choose from either a semi-auto or slide action shotgun in the somewhat similar 12ga bird gun category. The Benelli or Ithaca Ultralight specimens may be considered as examples.
Type of bore type selection criteria will also be highly dependent on the species of game bird(s), shooting/hunting conditions one may generally encounter. In ON, for example, one could easily make do with a 20 or 28ga (Wingshooting point of view)....the same will not apply for chasing birds in other parts of North America or the Globe.
Bottomline, an Upland Game Gun, in the true sense, will be built accordingly as such. Obviously, the same will also definitely be nowhere near the category of a 12ga Browning Citori or an 870 Wingmaster (just examples
) no matter how well "polished" the later firearms may be.beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
I've managed to shoot a few hundred quail with a 12 ga. Remington pump.
I can advise that both 24 gram and 1 oz. target loads of 7-1/2 or 8's through a Skeet choke are very effective.
I can advise that both 24 gram and 1 oz. target loads of 7-1/2 or 8's through a Skeet choke are very effective.
I shoot 5s & 6s at pheasants, grouse and rabbits, and use 7 1/2s for Huns and chuckers. If I put up a small bird while out for pheasant, I just give it an extra 2 seconds and shoot. It only needs 1-2 pellets in a hun to get the job done. Choke also makes a big difference. Im using IC & Modified in my o/u.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
That's just too funny!!!12 gauge is not overkill for small birds if light loads are used. A few years ago on a preserve chukar hunt another shooter suggested I was using too much gun and declared that no one needed more than his 20 gauge. I picked up one of his hulls -- 3" magnum, 1-1/4 ounce #6.
So much for too much gun. My load was 25 gram #7-1/2.
Sorta like leaving the 3.5" BB's in for a teal!
Cat
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
This one here is very light for a 12 bore, and its wrist is a small as the wrist on my 28 gauge UgartechgeaAs much as I favor the sub gauge.....
To be candid, from a more broader perspective as far as Upland hunting is concerned - a 12ga is neither too much gun nor overkill for such utility. It is practically the most versatile shotgun.
The "appropriate" 12ga game gun could actually weigh anywhere from 6.5-7lbs and yet feel more like a 6lbs gun in terms of handling/balance etc.......I'm talking breechloading double guns mainly.
Moreover, as already mentioned, one could always tweak loads ranging from 7/8oz upwards and still obtain superior patterns overall when compared to a 16 or 20ga shotgun. A proper game gun is not really designed for use with heavy loads in the first place anyway. IMO, rather than the gauge its the type of loads used that could be viewed as overkill.
Admittedly, technology and mechanical design improvements have also made it possible for folks with different preference to choose from either a semi-auto or slide action shotgun in the somewhat similar 12ga bird gun category. The Benelli or Ithaca Ultralight specimens may be considered as examples.
Type of bore type selection criteria will also be highly dependent on the species of game bird(s), shooting/hunting conditions one may generally encounter. In ON, for example, one could easily make do with a 20 or 28ga (Wingshooting point of view)....the same will not apply for chasing birds in other parts of North America or the Globe.
Bottomline, an Upland Game Gun, in the true sense, will be built accordingly as such. Obviously, the same will also definitely be nowhere near the category of a 12ga Browning Citori or an 870 Wingmaster (just examples
12 gauge Greener, open right and choked left, proofed for 1 1/8oz lead
I think it would be a great upland gun, and will try it out next year if i get tired of my sub gauges!
I used my Westley Richards again this year on Chukars and pheasants and had no problem at all with it using about 1OZ of shot.
Cat
