Whats a good gun for partridge?

cereal83

cereal83

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 97%
32   1   0
Location
Ontario
Hey all,

Well I am just trying to prepare for partridge season that starts in a few months. I was wondering what is a good rifle/shotgun for these birds that I could maybe also use on other animals? I have a 30-06, 22 and a 12 Gauge right now. Would a 17hmr, 20 gauge, 410 be good? Is there a better gun for partridge?

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks
 
12 ga is best. Partridge hunting around here involves mostly wingshooting over dogs. If they are tame and rarely fly, then a 20ga, or .410 would be all you need. I`d go with a 12ga shotgun.
 
Hey all,

I have not accually bene out hunting them but from what I am told, they are tame and you can basically walk up to them and touch them. He said a 410 is great and a 12 guage is an overkill but I don't just want to buy a gun to use once a weekend a year.

So if I do just use the 12 gauge, can somebody recommend what type of ammo I could use?

Thanks
 
You can't go too wrong with the 22 either, as for shot gun 7 1/2's 1 oz loads would work fine for grouse in the bush. I have done both I prefer 22, but if the bush was more open and the birds jumpier then I go shotgun.
 
Tame partridge? Where may I ask?

In my (limited) experience, partridge in Ontario are anything but tame.

cereal83 said:
Hey all,

I have not accually bene out hunting them but from what I am told, they are tame and you can basically walk up to them and touch them. He said a 410 is great and a 12 guage is an overkill but I don't just want to buy a gun to use once a weekend a year.

So if I do just use the 12 gauge, can somebody recommend what type of ammo I could use?

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
20ga is more than enough for grouse or woodcock, flying or otherwise, but more importantly is what chokes you are using.

Full or modified are way too tight. Better off with Improved Cylinder or Skeet chokes with #7.5 or #8 shot. Heavy loads are not needed. It's only a small bird.

And why bother shooting a 12ga at birds if you're going to aim it like a rifle and catch the bird in the side of the pattern. Just use a smaller gauge with open chokes.




sc
 
If they're just sitting on the ground the .22 would be my choice. Of course, if you're not a very good shot, go with the shotgun... :p

hmmm...

Maybe I'll go with my 20ga... :redface:
 
For partridge I best use my 6 pounds Citory Featherweight 20 ga. with 24" barrels. I always liked Winchester 7/8 oz. Dove & Quail 2 3/4" with no. 7½ shot. Early in the season I use Improved cylinder + Modified chokes and later in the season I turn to Modified + Full chokes . I also carry few no. 4 shot for extended shots.
 
Thanks for some of the replys guys. I am going out tomorrow to see what damage I can do with my shotgun and see what is up with it and what it's like to shot a shotgun.

I think I am going to buy some more ammo just incase because I only have winchester.

Thanks all for the tips. I think I might be looking into buying a 20 gauge.
 
We always used 20 gauge over the dogs, for partridge or pheasants.
I used a .22 on the trapline and now for the fun of it I use only ML or cartridge shotguns, muzzle loading rifle ,longbow, or anything else hand and hit them in the head.
A tomahawk works well also.....:D
Cat
 
I prefer a .22 or a light loaded centerfire rifle to a shotgun for grouse and ptarmigan. When I'm packing a shotgun, I prefer low brass #4's from an open choke over smaller shot. If your upland bird hunting is more of the classical fashion - rather than blasting them on the ground like I do - a trim little 20 gauge double is the ticket.
 
There are actually quite a few buckskinners out there that kill partridge and rabbits with 'hawks when they are hunting, because they don't want to scare big game animals away with a shot from a muzzle loader!:)
Cat
 
Well I will try out my 22 and my 12 gauge. If everything is good, then I will just keep it. If I think I need a better gun, then I will buy one
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom