ideal small game shotgun?

Grouse & bunnies ... a 20 or 28 SxS for me please, straight stocked, splinter forend, two triggers, extractors (ejectors not neccessary) 28" barrels prefered, choked skeet & light mod. If preferred, an O/U with Pistol Grip, single trigger and slim forend could work well too !

Fit and balance foremost.

For grouse, I like 8's but 7-1/2's are O.K ( usually some woodcock around the same coverts) For Rabbitts - 6's.

Hard choice - 7-1/2's for everything. Not to worry about pheasants either ... the standard 1 oz. 28 gauge field load of 5's or 6's kills ditch parrotts cleanly out to 35 yards. ( Fact, not heresay ! )
 
G P said:
You may have moved on to nicer things, but I'm willing to bet it wasn't because of necessity. :)
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No it is because 870's are fine for Ducks and Geese. But handle like Bricks for Upland Hunting.
 
Win/64 said:
No it is because 870's are fine for Ducks and Geese. But handle like Bricks for Upland Hunting.
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That's very true about the 12 gauge but my 20 gauge 870LW Wingmaster handles reasonably well. I'd rather have my sxs for upland but could live with a 20 gauge Wingmaster.
 
Claybuster said:
I'd rather have my sxs for upland but could live with a 20 gauge Wingmaster.
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...... as long as it had a 26' or shorter bbl. I have a 20" Rem Choke bbl for my 12ga 870 SP. While I haven't used it for upland, I think it would work fine with a skeet tube.


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SuperCub said:
...... as long as it had a 26' or shorter bbl. I have a 20" Rem Choke bbl for my 12ga 870 SP. While I haven't used it for upland, I think it would work fine with a skeet tube.


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Thats the big advantage a sxs or o/u has over a single barrel gun. Once that bird gets out a bit (in case you miss your first shot) you may want more than a Skeet Choke.
 
Win/64 said:
Thats the big advantage a sxs or o/u has over a single barrel gun. Once that bird gets out a bit (in case you miss your first shot) you may want more than a Skeet Choke.
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That's right. That 870 is a backup gun. My main gun is a CZ SxS 20ga. I keep SK/IC tubes in it. I found MOD to be a bit tight.


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I've got an SKB(Ithaca) O/U that I usually used for upland, though last year I used a 1925 LC Smith and hand loaded brass black powder shells. That said, most areas I hunt have waterfowl jumping up here and there too so I end up hunting with my SBE most of the time. An Benelli Montefeltro would be my first choice if I was only doing upland.
 
1 more vote for the 20. A SxS or O/U. I also have 2 20 pumps & a single but still go with doubles. As you see what u have will work. I started with a 12 bolt then a pump. I was sold on pumps for a long time. I now favor doubles for small fast birds & autos for geese. Try a few rounds of skeet with different actions & see what fits best. My .02 Aj
 
jiminthecorner said:
I can't beleve that there aren't any 28 gauge guys out trhere!!!!!!!! My choice would be a CZ bobwhite straight stock 28, JITC
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Check post number 31, 28 gauge is my choice, and yes it will kill pheasants! Using a pointing dog has many advantages, and my weimaraner is a very careful hunter when the birds are spooky. I can't imagine hunting upland now with out my pointer! To me it is about the dog and the birds, then the gun comes third.
 
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