Need help picking a 20ga shotgun for partridge/ruffed grouse.

Not sure where you are, so it's a bit hard to give you local advice. Here in the Maritimes you'll find the ideal grouse gun to be smaller than 10ga, capable of firing at least one shot that can be carried for kilometers easily with a barrel length preferably shorter than 30". Pretty specific, eh. If you have the money and you want that BSS, you could justify it but any reasonably light shotgun will fit the bill.
 
Ended up going for the BSS over the 870. What made me pick is the improved reliability/toughness. I know the internet is the internet but I kept stumbling on threads about the 870 express jamming/rusting and I don't feel like dealing with that. I really liked the simplicity of the BSS, less stuff to go wrong.

It ends up being a '77 with the sporter stock, 28" w/ BBLs. I like the vintage look a lot. Weight ends up being 6lbs 10.5oz. The stock is beat up but very usable and the overall condition of the gun is pretty good. I'll go test it soon.



Only thing that worries me is that it seems to have a full/mod choke, which from what I'm reading, is kind of tight for the intended use. I guess I should have done more research before but being a newbie I kinda trusted the store guys on that one. Not too sure which exact hunting situations I will encounter but is there a cheap way around this (small shot #, aiming higher) or I'll be just fine anyway and I'm overthinking it? The store sold me 2 3/4 1oz 7 1/2 shots and from what I gather, it might be burger time.

Thanks again.
 
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PLC said:
Ended up going for the BSS over the 870. What made me pick is the improved reliability/toughness. I know the internet is the internet but I kept stumbling on threads about the 870 express jamming/rusting and I don't feel like dealing with that. I really liked the simplicity of the BSS, less stuff to go wrong.

It ends up being a '77 with the sporter stock, 28" w/ BBLs. I like the vintage look a lot. Weight ends up being 6lbs 10.5oz. The stock is beat up but very usable and the overall condition of the gun is pretty good. I'll go test it soon.



Only thing that worries me is that it seems to have a full/mod choke, which from what I'm reading, is kind of tight for the intended use. I guess I should have done more research before but being a newbie I kinda trusted the store guys on that one. Not too sure which exact hunting situations I will encounter but is there a cheap way around this (small shot #, aiming higher) or I'll be just fine anyway and I'm overthinking it? The store sold me 2 3/4 1oz 7 1/2 shots and from what I gather, it might be burger time.

Thanks again.
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Congrats on the BSS .you now have a very well made sxs .take the shells you got and head somwhere you can shoot the gun . Learn how each barrel patterns with different size shot . Enjoy its a great gun .
 
With the modified barrel you will have to wait a second more for the flushing bird to get out a little, having the pattern opening up. Having a modified choke barrel is no different than having the modified choke tube, as supplied in the newer Remington 870, and you also have a Full choke barrel for those birds getting out there to the limit of range. Chokes can be opened up by a gunsmith for quite modest cost, if that is your ultimate need.
Yes, and if you are ground sluicing them you hold a little high.

I am, right now, working on some spreader loads for 20 gauge. I have a new to me, Beretta 687 over/under that is fixed Mod/Full chokes, and I would like a more open choke effect for the close flushing bird.
I have made some loads with the wad petals cut to half height, which I will take to the pattern board in the next day or two.

You made a great choice in an Upland gun. Now you need to learn to shoot it well.
Browning BSS shotguns are a very well made gun, built to last a lifetime.
 
Great choice, IMHO. Ruffed grouse hunting is typically a single shot opportunity. And if you miss with that, the full choke second shot may get him. As suggested, get out and pattern the gun and get used to it. While I have around 20 SxS, sometimes I think my safe could use a nice BSS.

Oh, and 6 pounds, 10 ounces is just fine for an upland gun. They can be lighter but when you get down around 6 pounds or less, lots have difficulty shooting such a light gun well.
 
You did well. Now the fun stuff, as mentioned, pattern it, and start learning what she can do. Lots of opinions on shot size etc. Your hunting conditions have a lot to do with your choice in that department. That 7 1/2 shot is fine. As Canvasback says you often do not have a second shot anyway. Four more sleeps to grouse opening where I am, can't wait.

PLC said:
Ended up going for the BSS over the 870. What made me pick is the improved reliability/toughness. I know the internet is the internet but I kept stumbling on threads about the 870 express jamming/rusting and I don't feel like dealing with that. I really liked the simplicity of the BSS, less stuff to go wrong.

It ends up being a '77 with the sporter stock, 28" w/ BBLs. I like the vintage look a lot. Weight ends up being 6lbs 10.5oz. The stock is beat up but very usable and the overall condition of the gun is pretty good. I'll go test it soon.



Only thing that worries me is that it seems to have a full/mod choke, which from what I'm reading, is kind of tight for the intended use. I guess I should have done more research before but being a newbie I kinda trusted the store guys on that one. Not too sure which exact hunting situations I will encounter but is there a cheap way around this (small shot #, aiming higher) or I'll be just fine anyway and I'm overthinking it? The store sold me 2 3/4 1oz 7 1/2 shots and from what I gather, it might be burger time.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
 
Not having read all the posts it sounds like you picked up a BSS for a good deal.
Can you say Score !!!!
Pics or it doesnt exist ;)

Reasons for an 870 Wingmaster are twin action bars, ease of dis/assembly, reliable and they look good too.
Plus they just about fit everyone who picks one up, unless of course they are Andre the Giant of Wrestling fame then forget about it.

Rob
 
I would jump on that BSS 20 gauge for $750... just find out how the barrels are choked... IC and MOD woukd be perfect.
 
I wouldn't get too worked up about the chokes. Years ago, most bird hunters used a single shot with a full choke (I did). Lots of birds were successfully harvested, and no one knew any different.
Your BSS can fire two shots, which is twice the capacity compared to the scenario above. Use the modified for the first shot, and the full for when you miss and the bird is hightailing it through the trees.
 
You got a smoking deal...... Modified choke is "OK" for grouse, but I prefer IC and modified....... With the price you paid, invest a little and get the chokes bored out appropriately...... That being said, if you want to ensure that you have the gun for the upcoming season, I would hunt it as is for now and get it done over the winter......
 
PLC said:
Ended up going for the BSS over the 870. What made me pick is the improved reliability/toughness. I know the internet is the internet but I kept stumbling on threads about the 870 express jamming/rusting and I don't feel like dealing with that. I really liked the simplicity of the BSS, less stuff to go wrong.

It ends up being a '77 with the sporter stock, 28" w/ BBLs. I like the vintage look a lot. Weight ends up being 6lbs 10.5oz. The stock is beat up but very usable and the overall condition of the gun is pretty good. I'll go test it soon.



Only thing that worries me is that it seems to have a full/mod choke, which from what I'm reading, is kind of tight for the intended use. I guess I should have done more research before but being a newbie I kinda trusted the store guys on that one. Not too sure which exact hunting situations I will encounter but is there a cheap way around this (small shot #, aiming higher) or I'll be just fine anyway and I'm overthinking it? The store sold me 2 3/4 1oz 7 1/2 shots and from what I gather, it might be burger time.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

7-1/2 shot will work fine, I usually go with 6 just in case i see some rabbits along the way.
 
Yeah, I'm going to go to the range tomorrow and see what happens w/ both chokes at different ranges. I'll probably stop by the store and pick up a few 5 and 6 shot shells too just to see what would happen. I'll post pics soon. I remember seeing some people claim that ideally you should have 1 pellet per square inch at your usual range but I dont know how much truth there is to that.

I feel it is probably a matter of getting used to your gun more than anything else. A lot of people seem to prefere the IC/mod combo but I've read some people prefer full choke for cleaner head shots when the situation allows it (in some areas, you can basically kick grouse/rabbits before they move, I've seen it with partridges). Also, I'm supposed to go hunting next weekend, so that will be the real test and if I end up with too many burgers I will try to find someone who can bore the full choke barrel into an IC, not sure how much that costs but IIRC I've read it isn't too expensive.


Is there some game that full choke would work better but IC/mod wouldn't? I don't know much about hunting/shotguns but since the book says it can fit 3" magnum shells and steel, I guess it is more versatile than the usual 20ga?
 
Ducks or geese would be the usual suspects if you're using a full choke, longer shots in general. Trap shooting can be done with full chokes as well.
For now, shoot the modified barrel for your first shot at grouse. If you do it right, the second barrel will never be fired anyway.. After the hunting season is over for the year, you can get the full barrel opened up to ic if you want. If you get ambitious I think it's possible to get the barrels threaded for screw in chokes. Me, I'd just get the full turned into an improved cylinder and call it a day.
Enjoy the Browning, nice gun to start out with!
 
I have three 20 gauge shotguns.
Found myself that most importantly how the firearms fits/points to the primary user is most important.
There are different barrel options with my M37, but the 28inch full choke barrel points like a dream.

When things are flying & one needs to react and shoot quickly, it's just 'right there' naturally. ;)
 
One thing you could try is to look for shotshells which don't use a shotcup, if there are any built that way today. The old cardboard and fibre wads not keep a pattern as tight as a new shotcup design. Look for vintage shotshells.

If it were me, and that were my wingshooting grouse gun, it would be opened up to something like Skeet and Imp Cyl before it even got home.
 
PLC, should the BSS not be to your liking please shoot me a pm with the sordid details .
I might like the opportunity to take it off your hands.

So, hi-jack aside it is a twelve gauge and has the beavetail front end?
This would make for a heavier gun and the extra weight would be welcomed in a duck or goose blind with the heavier 3'' magnum loads.

Shot choice will now require more research as the payloads are much more varied.
The choices of shot size and weight and speed for the shooting style with cover for the birds will seem overwhelming.

My choice has been number 4's for birds with lots of cover in 20 gauge and 2-3/4'' chamber.
Overkill maybe , but it gets the job done with the 1100 and 28 inch factory modified chocked barrel.
And there has never been an issue with birds blown to bits.

Cant wait for Grouse season to get out and let the boom stick roar.

Rob
 
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