Sub 6lb shotguns

As I find myself getting into my senior years I find lighter guns, rifle or shotgun , more and more attractive. I only use side by sides for upland, I have a Charles Hellis 12 guage that weighs 6 pounds even, a T. Mortimer and Son 16 gauge that weighs 5 3/4 pounds and a E J Churchill Regal 20 gauge that also weighs 5 3/4 pounds and they are a joy in the field. My other 12 gauge field guns weigh between 6 1/2 and 6 3/4 pounds and also get some use on smooth level ground but the lighter guns give me longer legs now and because they handle quicker they also help tp compensate for declining strength and slowing reflexes.
 
My AYA number 2 shotguns in 20 and 28 gauge weigh right at 6lbs even, and my 28 gauge is my favorite upland gun. My 16 gauge Grulla weighs 6lbs 4 ounces, and recoil is a bit stiff for skeet, but no problems at all while hunting.
 
My lightest two field guns are 6-1/2 and 6-3/4 lbs. Having tried lighter 5lb. guns I've found them challenging to swing smoothly and they lose momentum rapidly. It takes more concentration to keep the swing moving on a ultralight gun.
 
My Citori Feather was an O/U, but at 5-1/2lbs, it was a pleasure to carry. I had no issues swinging it smoothly, or dealing with recoil while hunting. All of my field guns have 28 or 29" barrels, which I much prefer over shorter barrels, which I didn't swing as smoothly. Balance seemed more important than the overall weight.
 
Grouser said:
Thanks all!
John
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John, first, I keep meaning to call you but life is getting in the way. My question was related to potential future plans....2018 at the earliest so there was no rush. Now to this question.

I have two guns with nice, open chokes that I really like for Ruffed grouse and the odd woodcock. One is a F.W. Heym 16 gauge SxS that weights 6 pounds 4 ounces. And the other is a J & W Tolley 12 gauge single barrel that comes in at 5 pounds even. It's my favorite. Obviously with the Tolley I use very light loads. But I'm running against conventional wisdom here. Because both guns have 29" barrels. Most noticeable on the Tolley because of the extreme light weight, the length of the barrels help keep the momentum of the swing going.

The Tolley is my favorite because of the light weight. It's a joy to carry. And in my experience, the second shot on ruffies is just about always a wasted, Hail Mary shot. Better to not take it.

This is just my opinion but I think the concern about longer barrels being unwieldy in the grouse woods is overblown. Not entirely wrong just not as big a problem as it's made out to be.

What is the barrel length on the 28 gauge you are considering? That would be the deciding factor for me.
 
canvasback said:
John, first, I keep meaning to call you but life is getting in the way. My question was related to potential future plans....2018 at the earliest so there was no rush. Now to this question.

I have two guns with nice, open chokes that I really like for Ruffed grouse and the odd woodcock. One is a F.W. Heym 16 gauge SxS that weights 6 pounds 4 ounces. And the other is a J & W Tolley 12 gauge single barrel that comes in at 5 pounds even. It's my favorite. Obviously with the Tolley I use very light loads. But I'm running against conventional wisdom here. Because both guns have 29" barrels. Most noticeable on the Tolley because of the extreme light weight, the length of the barrels help keep the momentum of the swing going.

The Tolley is my favorite because of the light weight. It's a joy to carry. And in my experience, the second shot on ruffies is just about always a wasted, Hail Mary shot. Better to not take it.

This is just my opinion but I think the concern about longer barrels being unwieldy in the grouse woods is overblown. Not entirely wrong just not as big a problem as it's made out to be.

What is the barrel length on the 28 gauge you are considering? That would be the deciding factor for me.
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The 28 that I'm considering has 28" barrels -- published numbers on the stock are spot on for me as I need 1.5 at comb and about 2.25 at heel. I have a 26" Sauer Royal deluxe on 20ga and in 28ga, a Franchi Aspire O/U-- I just seem to shoot better with a SxS in the covers - guess the old adage was right that if God wanted man to shoot o/u's he would have designed us with stacked eyes.
Cheers, John
 
I have and aya no 2 and a geco/Merkel both in 20 gauge that are right on the 6 pound mark and love them both for birds and rabbits they are all I use for the upland stuff. Mine have 26 and 27 inch barrels but in my opinion 28 inches is ideal. Oh and I use both of mine for clays as well but I'll usually don't go thru more than 100 rounds per trip. That Sauer you have must be a thing of beauty, I have a soft spot for German guns.
 
My 26.5" 20 gauge Superposed Lightning can't be much over 6lbs. Even though the catalogue weight was 6.5lbs, Schwing's book says approximately 6lbs. Such a lightweight beauty. I need to go shoot some birds somewhere nearby!
 
A 5-3/4 lb. 28" SxS in 28 ga. should come pretty close to the "Ideal Grouse & Woodcock Gun".... if it fits ! Mine would have a case coloured receiver and two triggers, and would not have an attached sling swivel stud(s) (easily enough detached and the screw holes plugged) ... but that's just me.

It would be a pleasure to carry and use.Hopefully an AyA, Arrieta, Grulla or the like. The attached photo suggesst maybe Turkish ?


 
I have a Yildiz Elegant A-5 sxs in 20 gauge. It weighs about 5.25lbs. It's a thing of beauty to carry in the field. It has 26" barrels, which I like. Just for ####s and giggles I put a box of 25 through it on the trap range once. That wasn't a pleasant experience even with light field loads and I wouldn't do it again. But for hunting, I love it. It's also a very pretty little gun with spectacular Turkish walnut; cost somewhere between $900 and $1000, I don't recall exactly.
 
I use my CZ partridge 28 gauge a lot, and it weighs <6 pounds with 26" barrels. The lighter the better for me on long walks after grouse, quail, chukar etc.

Duck hunting in a blind is the place for heavy guns. This spring I wandered all over the woods carrying my old Browning A5 with 30" barrel. ugh...
 
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