I use a Citori Feather three barrel set 20/28/410 or a Winchester Model 23 in 20 gauge for all of my pheasant and upland hunting. My 28 gauge barrels will see much more use than the 20 gauge barrels out of the three barrel set, with the 410 barrels only being used to shoot skeet, now and then.
What gauge do you use??
- Thread starter TAZWILLFIX
- Start date
I use a Citori Feather three barrel set 20/28/410 or a Winchester Model 23 in 20 gauge for all of my pheasant and upland hunting. My 28 gauge barrels will see much more use than the 20 gauge barrels out of the three barrel set, with the 410 barrels only being used to shoot skeet, now and then.
It's a priveledge to hunt over a springer... Have done so twice and both resulted in success... I am raising and training a golden right now... Trying to get her to learn upland as well and track... I can only hope she is half the dog my buddy's springer is on birds...
Thank you for saying this... I have a 28 gauge Cooey single shot... got it early this summer... Might pay a few more bucks for shells, but it's a nice gun... my dad has an identical one in .410.. That's the up side... the down side.... I did say that "I" had it, however, my 11 year old boy has claimed it... Lol so he carry's it when when we go for a walk and I carry the 30-06....
Sorry for the thread hijack...
Brad, I have trained a Golden Retriever... I always say that she was definitely my smartest field dog, and easily trained... that dog knew what I wanted her to do before I knew what I wanted her to do... it use to crack me up watching her facial expressions as she watched me, trying to figure out what I wanted next... BUT, she was VERY soft... you have to be VERY patient and kind with a Golden (more so than with a lab or springer)... Bailey, my Golden, was the only dog that I didn't have to teach "NOT TO" retrieve the decoys. My labs were all "retrieve crazy", full of desire and never quit... they would get into a thicket for pheasant, or on a waterfowl retrieve they would hit the water 20 feet from shore... the Golden would trot to the water, put in one foot and look back at me to see if I seriously wanted her to go out into the cold water, LOL. For me, considering the way I hunt, the English Springer Spaniel is the best of both worlds... the new pup is only seven months old, but she is coming along very well.
Adrian J Hare
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- NewLowell On. Can.
Now that's a hard statement ! lol your a little under with both figures lol as for recoil, the 20 is much lighter...
No love for the 16? The shells are a little more expensive, but since I traded a $20.00 case of beer for my sxs, I can spend a little more on shells. Bird shot in one barrel and a slug in the other in case Mr. Whitetail makes an appearance. I also picked up a very good condition (minor flaking of the finish on the stock) cooey 20 ga. single for my boy last summer for $50.00. Good deals are out there.
Obviously the majority is for the 20 gauge but I like the fact so many people are able to use the 12 (gives me hope). I will have to digest all this for a while and keep searching the ee and the sponsors and sooner or later the right deal for me will show up. As for the cost of shells for the amount of hunting I will get in each year I don't really see that as a factor. If I get back into trap or take up skeet that will be a whole different set up and then I will be pissing off the lovely wife asking for another new gun. I think it is pretty funny that she has to have 100+ pairs of shoes for different outfits weather etc but doesn't understand that I need one rifle for deer and another for birds and rabbits. Happy hunting to all and keep the discussion going I am learning lots. Today is my Friday so maybe tonight before dark I will try to get out and try my Elmer Fudd impersonation. Happy hunting to all.
Taz
Taz
Awesome to hear... Molly is 7 months now also... It was between her and a lab... As much as I love both breeds the smell of a wet lab in a bunkie is a little much for me... Lol... I'll post up some pics of molly and my buddies springer when I get back to the office tommorow...
Op... I think you have got lots of good advice here... If you take anything away from this it should be that upland and bunnies can be done with any gauge and the appropriate shells.... All dependant on terrain and personal preference...
Picked up my first double in years today..... evening walk with dad's old CIL double in 12 gauge.... Modified and Full chokes.. Winchester light loads.... first bird was taken on the ground at 30 yards.... aimed about an inch high and down he went..... second flushed through the alders and full choke barrel took her on the fly... hit was in the side and busted the wing.... as the pick shows, the meat is just fine.... I still think a 20 gauge is the best choice... but have no fear in using a 12... I have used them for years....
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
looked in the safe last night found a double 16ga that I cut down a few years ago things you forget you have going to have to get it out a fling some lead
I used a 16 ga Winchester 37 on everything when I was a kid!
But I just bought a Yildiz (Turkey) 410 hammerless single shot and I love the little guy. Easy to carry all day. Now all I need is some birds to shoot. They seem pretty scarce in my neighbourhood this year.
And I've used a 12 ga before too. Just don't stand too close.
badgreenbird
Regular
- Location
- Dawson Creek, BC
I've used 'em all over the years, but am now firmly in the 28 gauge camp. Best upland gun of all, in my opinion. Not quite as versatile when switching to waterfowl, though... and damned if I can find 28 gauge slugs anywhere in Canada...
