Perfect upland game barrel length and gauge?

Crazy.kayaker

Crazy.kayaker

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
I'm looking to get a shotgun I can use on rabbits and grouse and other upland game as I find them. Hoping to make it a SxS or O/U if I can. I'm thinking either 16 or 20 gauge but can't decide on barrel length or which gauge is better for the guns purpose. I know a 26" bbl is the perfect compromise for most general purpose shotguns but other then upland game it will only be used as a camp/backpack gun. There are some pretty cheap coach gun (20"bbl) on the market and was wondering should I get one of them or look for something with a little more barrel.

The shotgun bug has bitten me as I'm looking to get my 3rd shotgun and my second one hasn't even arrived.

C.K
 
I go with 12 guage because the ammo is so much cheaper. Personally for rabbits and grouse I think 24" is about perfect, but that pretty much requires a hacksaw. If you can get a cheap coach gun with 20" bbls as you mentioned, that would be very decent. Big difference between 18.5 and 20" when hunting I've found. My experience with 12 guage, #6 field loads is basically as follows. Effective killing range: 18.5"=25 yards, 20"=30 yards, 24"=35 yards. You can increase your range with heavier or more expensive shot, but why?
 
Balance and fit is more important then absolute barrel length. I like my 26 & 28" barrels for upland hunting. I would think the 20" is a little short. I've done some bird hunting with my 18.5" defender, but it doesn't hold together very well for any longer shots.
 
Crazy.kayaker said:
I'm looking to get a shotgun I can use on rabbits and grouse and other upland game as I find them. Hoping to make it a SxS or O/U if I can. I'm thinking either 16 or 20 gauge but can't decide on barrel length or which gauge is better for the guns purpose.
Click to expand...

There are more choices in quality over/unders than side by sides. I would pick a 20 because there are more selection of guns available and a larger selection of ammo that would suite your purpose. There are bargain priced 20 ammo available, Very seldom in 16, like never! Some may argue, but I think a 20 will do everything a 16 will. As far as choice of barrel length? Most doubles come in 26 or 28. Both are good, but for me it would be 28, but you pick.

I know a 26" bbl is the perfect compromise for most general purpose shotguns but other then upland game it will only be used as a camp/backpack gun.
Click to expand...

There is nothing perfect about compromise!


There are some pretty cheap coach gun (20"bbl) on the market and was wondering should I get one of them or look for something with a little more barrel.
Click to expand...

If you are riding shotgun for a Wells Fargo stage coach and have run out of rifle ammo a coach gun is for you! :D


The shotgun bug has bitten me as I'm looking to get my 3rd shotgun and my second one hasn't even arrived.
Click to expand...

What is you first and second gun?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Northman999 said:
My experience with 12 guage, #6 field loads is basically as follows. Effective killing range: 18.5"=25 yards, 20"=30 yards, 24"=35 yards. You can increase your range with heavier or more expensive shot, but why?
Click to expand...

Better not let sheephunter or amphibian hear you talk like that:D
 
Covey Ridge said:
There is nothing perfect about compromise!

What is you first and second gun?
Click to expand...

First is a 12 Gauge Single Shot 30" BBL Full Choke by Bridge Gun Co.
Second is an Old fore stock style 12 Gauge Ithaca 37 Featherlight with a 30" bbl Full Choke and a 26" bbl Imp Cyl

As for the part about the perfect compromise I only meant that it's short enough to go in to think brush for upland game with out getting snagged up and also long enough to use on waterfowl with good results.

I just want a SxS or O/U cause well they are a cool looking gun that I can use when I don't want to pull out my Pump and still have more then ONE shot in case I see another animal I want ;) and I'm not easy on the wood stocks so I want something on the cheap side of cheap. Being a Dutchman might be why I want a cheap one too ;)
 
madtrapper143 said:
The Ithaca 37 with the 26" tube bored IMP CYL would be perfect in my opinion. Even better if it was a 16......

regards, Darryl
Click to expand...

A sxs in 16 ga is even nicer. Fun to carry. And you get to pick your choke. :)
 
Last edited:
Crazy.kayaker said:
I know a 26" bbl is the perfect compromise for most general purpose shotguns but other then upland game it will only be used as a camp/backpack gun.
Click to expand...
In a SxS or O/U, 26" is perfect for upland. I own a CZ Bobwhite 26" 20ga. I wouldn't want mine shorter. With a pump about, 22" or 24" is right given the extra length of the action. Bbls much shorter than that don't handle well.

Crazy.kayaker said:
There are some pretty cheap coach gun (20"bbl) on the market and was wondering should I get one of them or look for something with a little more barrel.
Click to expand...
Forget those things, they handle like a baseball bat. A friend of mine bought one and couldn't hit a barn w/it. I got it from him and sold it [fast!] w/o even shooting it.
 
IMO 26" for a break open and 24" for a semi or pump.
I have hunted with 20" and they definitely do not swing as well.

As far as gauge, I WOULD NOT go with a 12 in my opinion, it is way too much gun for upland, sure the ammo is more plentiful and readily available, as far as price goes, 20 gauge is pretty close.

16 seems to be an awesome round, something to do with they way the pattern etc. The ammo is more expensive and not as easy to find, but really how many rounds do you plan to shoot? The best bet is to have a matchng set of 12 and 20 or 16, but that of course is twice the price.
 
The 20 gauge is the perfect upland bore size, and is a more versatile cartridge than the smaller 28 gauge. A good example is scaled to the size of the cartridge rather than being a 20 gauge barrel attached to a 12 gauge receiver, which would be the case of a 16 gauge. The double exemplifies the upland gun, and a good quality double can exhibit breath taking workmanship and leave the most hardened gunner envious. Barrel length of a double gun is probably best between 26" and 28" as the short receiver results in a fairly short OAL. Choose shorter barrels for close cover hunting and longer if you hunt open country. I'm not a shotgun guy, but a pal of mine sets store by his 20 gauge Rizzini SxS. That gun looks pretty good to my unappreciative eye, almost good enough to make me want to try it, but then I recover and go back to my rifles. Unless your gun comes with screw in chokes, the best combination is probably M & IC.
 
A pump with a 26"barrel is about as long over all as a sxs with 30" barrels. I like 28" to 30" on sxs they just see to swing and balance better.
 
Kinda difficult to point out a "perfect upland gun" .... just so many factors to consider :)

The choice will always be influenced by personal preferences, budget, the terrain + hunting conditions that one may generally be exposed to etc etc.

As already stated, gun fit is an absolute priority, however, longer bbls may or may not always be conducive to effective wingshooting depending on shooting conditions.

Again, for various Upland hunting terrain/scenarios, based on the type of action preferred, bbl lengths could commonly range anywhere from 22 to 30 inches and may not be considered as unusual. All boils down to the appropriate application of the tool given an appropriate condition.

Having said that, you may wish to consider the following to arrive at a decision ......

Your preference is for a sxs or o/u.

12 or 20ga ordinary ammo cost should be the same unless one starts looking at quality shells. Both shell types are commonly available.

Available shotguns with short bbls:
- Remington SPR220 hammerless sxs (my personal preference; I own/use one of those and it fits me well). This is a much better built shotgun compared to others in it's class.

- Stoeger Coachgun (sxs) and Backpacker (o/u with fixed iron sights) models.

The fact that your hunt scenarios will mostly consist of hunting in thick vegetation, ease of backpacking with the shotgun, shots most likely well under 20yds in mostly poke/shoot conditions or shooting at stationary targets?

If so, then I do not see a barrier to your using a 20in barreled shotgun for short range, snap shooting situations.
 
I've shot hand thrown clays with my dad's .410 coachgun with 20" barrels and it worked fine. Yes a 26" swings smoother, but you're not hunting cross flying ducks coming in at rocket speeds. A little practice and even a 20" 20 gauge will connect. Raise and point your gun into the flight of the bird before you shoulder and swinging becomes less of an issue with the shorter barreled 20.

You want it to be packable and 26" does not qualify for that.
 
The perfect compromise choice tends to provide a solution that is equally inadequate for all the intended tasks. For upland hunting I like a 28" breaking gun or a 26" repeater or semi. Backpacking guns are usually shorter and as barrel length decreases the ability to hit flying targets does as well for most people.

A short sxs is a good backpack gun and will be adequate but not the best for upland hunting. A longer sxs or o/u will be better for hunting but unwieldy. In between is a solution that does neither well.

As for gauge the 20 is a better choice than the 16. The 12 isn't necessarily too much gun if you are using light loads for hunting and there is a greater selection of slugs and buckshot if that is what you might need occasionally.
 
Given my hunting conditions, I've quite often harboured the thought of replacing all of my Upland guns with just one AYA XXV type sxs with 25 inch bbls :p
 
Bird Guns

Crazy
If you want a SxS don't waste your money on a new coachgun, for the same money you can buy a used double that is a much better gun.

With regards to bbl length 25" is no contest the nicest to handle but 26" or 28" is fine also as long as it is balanced properly. Barrel length has nothing to do with effective killing distance pattern density does, which means shell and choke combinations must work together to generate a pattern dense enough to kill your target at your expected shooting distance.

Gauge choice is an matter of preference and hunting conditions, sub-gauge guns (16-28) are smaller and lighter, but don't pass on a lightweight 12 if it fits you well. The ammo you shoot can be tailored to your game and there are many lighter loads now for 12's. My first choice in sub-gauge guns is a 16ga then a 28ga and a 20 last, don't let anyone tell you a 20ga will do whatever a 16ga will. Most people who say this have never used one, the 16ga will out pattern any 20ga with the same choking the same way a 10ga will vs a 12ga. I speek from experience as I have shotguns in every gauge(10-410) and spend alot of time testing loads on paper and game.

My reccomendations for good used SxS guns in the lower price range are:
1. Ithaca/SKB model 100 or 150 in 12 or 20ga with the 25" or 26" bbls

2. Mirouku/Charles Daily model 500 20ga

3. Savage Box model B 20ga
These are newer used guns that are more common but there are tons of good english, european and american SxS's around if you keep your eye's open and don't get in to much of a rush.
Good Luck
 
Claybuster said:
As for gauge the 20 is a better choice than the 16. The 12 isn't necessarily too much gun if you are using light loads for hunting and there is a greater selection of slugs and buckshot if that is what you might need occasionally.
Click to expand...

Why is the 20 a better choice than the 16?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom