How light is too light? Quail gun musings...

[ArmedBear]

Now that quail season is over, I'm back to sniffing around for a good deal on the Perfect Quail Gun.

Note that quail hunting here is in rough high country, choked with brush, lots of climbing, lots of boulders. There's so much cactus that I seldom see any dogs. So it's all about shooting fast and trying to drop the birds, stone dead. Our quail are tough birds, and it takes a few good pellet hits to kill them. #6 shot can be helpful at any range beyond "righchayrinfrunnaya".

I'd love a good fast, light, easy-carrying gun, probably in 20G 26".

Two guns are tempting at the moment.

The Citori Superlight Feather, weighing in at 5 lb. 11 oz.

The 391 Urika, weighing in at 5.9 lb.

Now this season, I used an old plain-barrel 12 Gauge 28" 1100 and when we saw birds, I was pretty successful in dropping them fast and dead. That's an 8 lb. gun, or close to it.

Would it be a mistake to go with such a light gun, when a full-sized 8-pounder seems to work (apart from being a PITA for bushwhacking, climbing, etc.)? Will I miss having a 12 Gauge to drop them dead?

Should I really be looking for a SxS?

 

[TrapperReady]

AB - Either of those look good. I really like the 391 in 20ga, but I also like to hunt with O/Us... so it's up to fit and preference.

As far as lightweight guns...

My clays gun now weighs in over 9 lbs. I love it. However, I have a variety of lighter alternatives that get used for hunting and occasional target use. These include a 20ga synthetic-stocked Benelli M1 Field, a Winchester Model 42 .410 and a 28ga 870 Express. Switching to the lighter guns takes a little change in technique and some practice. One thing I've found is that I take a "longer hold" on the fore-end, which helps me from moving the barrel too fast. I also have to remind myself to keep the swing moving... like having a deliberate follow-through.

The good thing is that I can switch to these guns and get comfortable with them within 25-50 shells. Therefore, if I'm going to go hunting with one, I just take it out to a nearby 5-stand or sporting clays course and shoot a round.

 

[kentucky_smith]

I just went through the same problem, but the good grouse terrain around here can be a bit vertical.

I tried an 1100 LT20 Special Field for awhile, but at over 7 lbs, my Beretta 1200 field is lighter. Couple side-by-sides, over-unders, tried out a friend's 20ga Montefeltro and the one I settled on is:

Franchi 48al in 20ga. 5 1/4 lbs. Set for hotter loads, and shooting 1 oz's of 6, this is what I'm going to stick with. Walked a good 10 miles up and down, through briars and brambles, LOVE carrying that gun, and it points like a wand.

So I'm done. This is the perfect upland gun. Until I can talk papaw out of his Belgium Browning LIght 20.

 

[Dave McCracken]

There are a number of Holy Grails in Shotgunland, this is one of the more popular.

YMMV, but I've problems shooting anything under 6 lbs well. Little shotguns are fun to tote, but we have to hit with them also.

Unless you're going for Blue Quail that flush out near the horizon, the 20 is plenty.

 

[zinj]

The Franchi AL48 is a little gun! The first time you see one you think you are looking at a youth model, then you realize that the length of pull and barrel are adult sized. Another Franchi to look at is the 720, a gas auto which weighs six pounds. If you are looking for a deal the Franchi's are a good place to start. Quality but you won't cry when the finish gets the dings and scratches.

If you feel the standard 20 loads aren't enough you can bump up to 3" magnums (except in the 2.75 AL48) which will duplicate a 12 gauge field load.

If you want to stick with the 12 there was a version of the Winchester Super X2 called the Light Field that only weighed 6.5 pounds. It looks like the Browning Gold Superlite has replaced it (the SX2 and Gold are variants of the same basic design).

 

[MCgunner]

Light guns require concentration on smooth swing. I'd sure be looking at a light weight 20, though, if I were you. They do take some getting used to, but point much quicker. I'd go with the Citori, myself, between the two. I really like doubles and especially on flushing game.

 

[TrapperReady]

AB - Have you tried one of the 20ga Benelli Montefeltros? Lightweight, decent looks, dead-easy to clean. The recoil isn't really a problem, especially in the "carry a lot, shoot a little" type of hunting that is typical of upland game.

 

[PJR]

Of the two guns mentioned I've owned one, the Browning Featherlight although in a slightly different configuration. Last summer a buddy and I swapped 391s and I shot his 20 gauge while he shot my 12 for a couple of sporting clays rounds. I liked the 391 better because it had a little more weight upfront and seemed to swing smoother. Also in that weight class a 20 gauge can be a little stiff on the shoulder and the gas action helped keep the recoil down.

As noted previously light guns require some adjustments. I am currently wringing out a Wingmaster 28 gauge and at 6lbs. it is tougher to shoot well than my heavier guns. It is so fast that either I'm swinging in front of the birds or so barrel light that it stops dead and I shoot behind.

I like guns in the 6-1/2 to 6-3/4lb. range for the field. You wouldn't think that an 8 or 12 ounces would make that much difference but it does to me. I'd rather have a slightly heavier gun that I shot well than one so light that I'm not hitting birds.

 

[Gordon]

Any body ever tried the Browning Twelvette ?

 

[Fred Fuller]

After all these years my favorite gun for Gentleman Bob is still dad's old Fox Model B (SxS, 20 ga., 26", ImpCyl/Mod). Nothing beats two barrels and an instant choice of choke IMHO, and you need enough weight to keep from 'throwing the gun away' on fast flushing/fast moving birds. A break-open gun is a lot better IMHO from a logistics standpoint, easier to manage, safer too.

I've hunted quail with pumpguns and semiautos but just like a 20 ga. SxS best. 'Course, I never had a 28 ga. double 8^) .

lpl/nc

 

[JMusic]

I have the Citori pictured and it has become my favorite hunting shotgun. I don't seem to have the problem mentioned shooting lighter guns. I have a 12 ga. Charles Dailey OU that I have used for years and prior to that Rems in 1148 &1100. I have to say the Citori is still the top choice.
Jim

 

[ArmedBear]

It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing, right?

Re the Montefeltro, I'm not afraid of recoil for my shoulder's sake, especially if I'm only going to be shooting a box of 20's all day. However, it's hard to beat an 1100 12 Gauge when it comes to shooting three really fast shots in a smooth arc, without worrying about keeping the gun on target.

The regular 6.5 lb. steel-receiver Citori Lightning in 20 is looking good, when I consider swing weight. And the Ruger straight-grip Red Label. The Weatherby Orion 20 has a nice POW grip on it, as well. I've only seen a couple, but the owners liked them.

Hmmm...

I need to see if I can try one of the Browning Feather guns to see how I like it. I have an old straight-grip 20 gauge single shot that is very light, and I can hit fairly well with it, but a modern double (or 391) would be really different.

Fortunately, I can always use the guns I have, so I've got plenty of time.

 

[HKGuns]

It will be difficult for you to find a better gun (auto) than the Beretta 391. Utterly reliable, ergonomics are fantastic and it is a pleasure to shoot from a recoil perspective.

 

[Guntalk]

Here's another way to go, but it can be hard to find.

A real problem with many of the super-light shotguns is that they not only start swinging quickly, but they stop swinging quickly, also.

Try to find a lightweight shotgun with longer barrels. That's a sweet package.

Balance is at least as important as weight, and many of the short-barrel guns feel like a fence post when swinging them.

A lightweight 20-gauge O/U or S/S with 28 or even 30-inch barrels is great.

I bought a Spanish S/S in 12 gauge, weighing 6 1/4 pounds. It's a 12 gauge on a 20-gauge frame, with 29-inch barrels. Carries great, swings wonderfully. I use 3/4 to 1-ounce loads in it.

I also have an Ithaca SKB 20-gauge "Quail Special" S/S. 25-inch barrels. Quick as lightning. I can't hit the Earth with it. Feels quick, but not really shootable.

Beware the whippy, "quick" shotguns.

 

[dogsoldier0513]

I'm not sure of its weight, but I picked up a NICE Remington 1100 Lt.Wt. .410 w/25-inch IMP CYL barrel last summer for $369. Now to find some quail....

 

[lawson]

i hunt quail in very similar terrain here in central az, just with less giant boulders and more jagged rock piles. brush is very thick, lots of creosote, mesquite, and other very bushy growth.

unless you're near water at dawn or dusk, quail hunting means jumping the birds and shooting them before they sink down into nearby brush. the window to shoot is very small, so i like a scattergun with a bit of weight to it that points quickly.

i use my Winchesters mostly, a Model 12 and now a Model 1897 (got it at the tail end of quail season), and a Mossberg 395 (see "The Ugliest Shotgun in Maricopa County). these are all in 12 gauge, and I also occasionally use a 20 gauge SxS of unknown make. the Winchesters are pretty heavy, since they're both pre-1920 manufacture. I like my quail guns a bit barrel heavy, since they swing fast and point naturally for me.

the Model 12 is my favorite quail gun, the 28" barrel makes it point like it's part of my arm. i'm partial to pumpguns, but that's just me. i'm used to them, and i don't like change. the new 1897 has only been taken on one quail hunt, but it was a great performer that day.