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

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Going to hunt with my brother soon and I have very little experience with shotguns. From what I understand, 12ga are kinda big for the intended use and 20ga would be perfect. I don't really plan on hunting anything else for a while so the lack of versatility doesn't bother me much. I'm not willing to blow a massive chunk of money on a gun I will probably use to hunt 1-4 times a year with and shoot clays just as often but if I buy something, I'd rather be happy with it and keep it for a while instead of buying something cheap and upgrading later on because I hate it.

With the hunting season about to be in full swing, the local market is pretty dry. Most stores showed me 200-300$ single shots that didn't inspire much confidence and haven't been all that helpful overall.

Found a new remington 870 express for about 550$ Seemed decent but small bird hunters aren't big fans of pumps it seems. I feel pump can't be worse than a single shot even if it probably isn't the favored type? I shot clay with a 12ga pump shotgun and I didn't mind the pump action much honestly.

Some of the better LGS has a bunch for SxS and O/Us and apparently for anything worthwhile you have to spend over 1000$ which was a little on the steep side I found considering my situation. Then they showed me a used 1980-something Browning BSS (one with the single trigger) that seems in pretty good shape for 750$. Apparently it is a pretty good deal as it is equivalent to a 2500$ gun today but the biggest downside is that it weights a ton, compared to the 6.5lbs remington, which is apparently a big downside for the kind of hunting we're going to do.

What do you guys think? I feel the 870 is lighter and cheaper so I'd probably be happy with it but from what I understand the BSS is highly regarded so if I can get a much much better gun for 200$ extra it might be worth the weight penalty.

I'm still shopping around so I'm open to different suggestions.

Thanks!
 
What James said, plus the weatherby is a nice one as well in the same bracket. A buddy of mine just picked one up for grouse at the moose camp...seems quite nice for the few minutes that I handled it.
I use a stoeger coach gun in 20ga for grouse, short and quick to get out from behind the seat of the truck when moose hunting. It's quick to load and points quick...not many get away.
You can't go wrong with a decent pump shotgun for any application imo.
 
James1873 said:
just gotta see what you like the best and what fits the best probably most important
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Heh, at this point I'm not sure about what I like best and fits best so this is why I'm not very confident with this purchase. Store clerks have more or less been helpful. Currently reading fitting guides to see what I should be looking for.


As I'm reading more on the topic, I must say I'm quite surprised at the unanimous recommendation of the 870, as the BSS seems to have quite a cult following and none of them seem to be selling under 1500$ US online. Any reason why the 870 is you guy's pick? I'm trying to understand the logic behind your choice to better guide me during my shopping. Glad to see the entry level pumps are getting a lot of love though, a fair deal of people seem to snob pumps online.

Thanks!
 
Just confirming you are talking 20 gauge first.

If you are, I would take the BSS for $700 hands down over the 870 Express for $550. If you remain an upland hunter and clay shooter, steel shot is not an issue. While I own an 870, it's a Wingmasrer, not an Express, which is a price point gun for Remington.

The BSS is a highly regarded gun, made in a very good factory. And while it's a bit heavier than some other SxS, it's strong and versatile. As well, I think it's value will hold a higher percentage of your initial outlay should you ever decide to sell it. JMHO.

Check the chokes of the BSS. I'm assuming they are fixed. For grouse, you want relatively open chokes. Not full. If they are full, you'd want to spend the money to get them opened up by a competent double gun smith. BTW not all smiths are competent double or SxS smiths.
 
Maritime Storm said:
$550 is high for a new Express, regular price at the Gun Dealer is far less than that, you're into Benelli territory at that price.
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its 475+tx, so about 545$ with local taxes added. Couldn't find one online under 500$+tx.



canvasback said:
And while it's a bit heavier than some other SxS, it's strong and versatile. As well, I think it's value will hold a higher percentage of your initial outlay should you ever decide to sell it. JMHO.

Check the chokes of the BSS. I'm assuming they are fixed. For grouse, you want relatively open chokes. Not full. If they are full, you'd want to spend the money to get them opened up by a competent double gun smith. BTW not all smiths are competent double or SxS smiths.
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Yes 20ga. I looked in the user manual and they're not as heavy as they seem, although probably heavier than similar modern guns. The model I'm looking at probably sits slightly below 7pounds.

No clue about the choke, I'd have to ask the guys at the store. From what I understand, the express barrel is threaded so I could change the chokes if needed though.

The barrel's insides look in great shape but the wood is beat up a little, it is possible I could negotiate a better price.
 
A 20 gauge BSS at $750 with very good metal condition and a beat up but refinishable stock sounds like a steal to me. I suggest you run, not walk back there.
 
I agree that pump makes sense from standpoint that you already shoot one and are comfortable with it. The grouse won't know the difference.
As regards value for $, pride of ownership and resale down the line, then hands down the Browning if it fits. The BSS will carry more comfortably in one hand when walking than a semi or pump due to balance. 4 ounces won't be noticed. If Improved and modified that's likely ideal for flushing birds. Mine had tube installed by gunsmith after the fact changing it from fixed mod and full to mod and tube - those are beefy barrels allowing for cutting threads. Unless some undisclosed issue with it at that price it wouldn't last a day at the local gun shop here. Might have already gotten scooped up and soon to be seen on EE for $1250
 
My ideal grouse gun would be a 20ga, either semi or o/u with 18-20" barrels and removable chokes, typically with IC early season, Mod late season, or just Mod straight through. If you're used to a pump they can be great in the same lengths, but i just don't care for them, but that's all personal preference. I also like something that's not too nice or expensive, so i don't mind throwing it in the truck, or pushing trees out of my face with it while walking through the brush.

The closest i have found and what has become my go to grouse gun for this past year has been the 20ga Ricol o/u from Corwin, it's short (16" barrels), light, carries well, i just wish it had the extra 2 or 3 inches on the barrells, but i can deal with that.
A close second was one of the warrior 18" single shots from corwin, ideal length, light, all the good things, just sometimes wish i had a second shot available.

I see Corwin Arms still has some of the shorter 20ga pumps and o/u on their website, and you usually see some of the single shots on the EE for a decent price.
 
I guess I am an oddball, because I have used my faithfull 410 in sxs. It is an older Brazilian IGA and has been a phenomenal partridge getter and great all-round pest eliminator!

Break open, load, shoot, shoot again with second d trigger if necessary. Life is great.
 
Weight is an important factor to consider while choosing an upland gun. You will be packing it for extended periods of time. Given your choices the SXS would be my preference, pumps are not my favourite but there is no logical reason for that, just me. Make sure you you want to pack the gun around in the bush, you will start to dislike it if you find it too tiresome.
 
I found a couple of old single shot shotguns for this purpose in very good condition for under $100. Reloading is not that big of a deal. If you're going out only a few times a year, don't neglect the used firearm market. You might find something rather decent.

Last year I borrowed my brother in laws mossberg 500 .410, And, I found it to be a fantastic gun. Low recoil and plenty of firepower for small game.

Chiappa Double Badger might be one for you. If I didn't already have my guns I'd grab one.
 
Forget about a .410 if you are planning to use them for birds on the wing.
A 20 gauge is much more sensible.
And the previous comments on weight are very important.
If you are hunting over a flushing dog or no dog you want to be carrying the shotgun at port arms and that gets tiring with a heavy shotgun.
Over a pointing dog it is not such an issue.

I guess I should add if you are only shooting dumb spruce grouse on tree limbs then a .410 is fine.
Not much sport to it.
 
Buck up and buy a 20ga Wingmaster or Ithaca 37...............I like the 20ga but find myself carrying a 28ga these days ......perfect to 40 yards.........Harold
 
If the BSS 20ga is 26" barrels it's likely IC/Mod, if it's 28" barrels likely Mod./Full. If your ground or tree shooting birds the Mod/Full would be fine, shooting flying IC/Mod would be better.
I'd go BSS for sure over a pump but I like SxS's And $750 is a good price, just make sure there's no barrels bulged or other mechanical issues, ejectors work etc.
If just the stock is rough, and could be refinished well it's a $1200 gun when done. Straight grip semi-beaver tail fore end models command a premium over the pistol grip/full beaver tail fore end variety

If you're going to be walking trails or 4 wheeling potting grouse up north then just about any shotgun would work. The pump would be fine and 1oz target load are easy to find. Unless you're going to be hunting 10 hours a day and walking 20 miles weight's not likely an issue either.
If you're hunting flushing birds with a dog the BSS would be a faster 2nd shot with a tighter second choke. If it's the M/F model though it will be tighter than what you'd want for that style of hunting.
 
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If you are good with a pump, go for it. I just can't work the action and still be pointing anywhere near the bird on the 2nd or 3rd shot, so I prefer double barrels, though I do OK with most semis
 
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