Shotgun for Quail

442man · January 20, 2006, 10:07 PM

I need help selecting a good shotgun for quail hunting. I shot a Beretta Silver Pigeon O/U today, 12 ga. with 32" barrell. The barrell seems too long and slow to get on target. Any suggestions on style, gauge, model and barrell length appreciated.
Thanks

dm1333 · January 20, 2006, 10:45 PM

I won't get into brands but I hunt a lot of quail and like lighter quick handling guns. My 12 gauge pump is too heavy and slow for those fast little suckers. I have used both a 20 ga. single and side by side with good results. The area of California that I live in is not the greatest habitat either so I have to do a lot of walking between coveys so a light gun is definately a plus!

Hello123 · January 20, 2006, 11:16 PM

I like pump guns. I would choose one in a 20 guage with an aluminum receiver for the lighter weight.

LHB1 · January 20, 2006, 11:40 PM

My choice for both quail and dove is a Browning Citori 20 gauge O/U with 26 inch barrels and interchangeable chokes. I typically use IC in one barrel and either Lt Mod or Skeet in the other depending on situation. The MOST important thing is for the shotgun to FIT YOU! I had to remove slightly more than 1/4 inch from the top of comb and completely strip/refinish stock on my Citori to make it shoot to the "point of aim" for me. Required more than a little courage to apply a rasp to the stock of Grade VI Citori.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: This problem is not unique to Browning or Citori's. I have the same problem on all current factory shotgun stocks. Guess they design the stocks for people with thinner faces.

gordo b. · January 21, 2006, 12:07 AM

I use currently a 26" Citori grade 2 .410 o/u , 7 1/2 shot 3" out of it's Skeet 1 &2 barrels.I have a sweet little 24" Fox(311b savage gussied up) 20ga SxS whitch does the dead with #8 low base loads.Quail don't take much in Central Calif. , you just got to hit them. A long shot is 25 yards. Think smaller guage (20 and less) and 24-26" barrels.

Samuel2001 · January 21, 2006, 02:38 AM

How bout a MERKEL SxS 28ga. with 24 or 26 inch tubes, and a straight (English) stock. Now that would be the sweet set up.

If not, a Rem 1100 20ga with 26" tube and Remchokes will do.

.50cal packer · January 21, 2006, 03:15 AM

I like any o/u 20 gauge, with a 26" barrel. They are quick to target, and pretty light. Or go with a auto, like a SX2 light field. Still staying with a 26" barrel, if you like the three shot concept. I have both, and most days it's hard to choose.

Dave McC · January 21, 2006, 08:45 AM

There's few quail around here now, but long ago I did a fair amount of hunting them. Shotguns that worked well for me on quail included.....

870s, 12 gauge with 18-21" barrels. Choke went from none to IC. Weight, around 7 lbs.

SKB 20 gauge O/U with 28" barrels choked IC/Mod. 6 lbs

Stevens 311 12 gauge SXS, AKA "Ranger" with barrels shortened to 25". IC/IC and about 7 lbs.

French/Belgian Didier SxS 12 gauge,27" barrels, chokes 8 and 15 POC. 6 lbs, 5 oz.

All handled quickly. All had open to moderate choking. All were totable. The best, looking back, were the 870s and that Euro boxlock.

A cousin has the Stevens now. He's taken some grouse and lots of rabbits with it.

Quail guns need to be portable, handle fast(though this can be overrated) and do not need a teacup of 2 shot to fold a half lb bird. Shot opps run close and oft in thicker cover. Action type is not crucial, but lots of good quail hunters use SxS shotguns.

In the East, I'd go with 8s, IC and shorter barrels. 26" on a repeater is good. Not more than 28" on a double.

HTH....

442man · January 21, 2006, 09:49 PM

Looks as though the 20 ga and smaller are best along with 26-28 barrells. Great info and thanks. Hats off to LHB1, a rasp on a Citori, what a guy!!

sm · January 22, 2006, 01:42 AM

Gun Fit comments +1

Other factors include :

-Gentleman Hunts - Gotta be 28 ga in a two barrel gun configuration. Etched deep in tradition.
-Toting- like many bird hunts , lots of walking and toting, so again a gun that fits , easy to tote for when shots do presents themselves lean again to 20 ga and smaller gauges in guns such as/ similar to 1100, 870, and of course a two barrel gun.

No quail here, used to be, I used to visit neighboring states.I have taken quail with Super X Model 1s, 1100s in all 4 gauges, 870 and 1300 in all 4 gauges [1300 in all 4 ga dates me huh?] Model 12s in 12, 20 and 28, Model 42s...Ithaca 20ga...1897 Winchester gets one some looks...

I also have this thing about using single shot shotguns for hunting. Quail and Dove , 28 ga again is favored, 20 ga used a lot and eventhe .410, because I can.

My favorite was My Citori 3 bbl Skeet set. I used the 28 ga barrels of course.

Respect the Quail.

No matter the guns or loads - Always Respect the Quail.

Steve

sm · January 22, 2006, 01:43 AM

Gun Fit comments +1

Other factors include :

-Gentleman Hunts - Gotta be 28 ga in a two barrel gun configuration. Etched deep in tradition.
-Toting- like many bird hunts , lots of walking and toting, so again a gun that fits , easy to tote for when shots do presents themselves lean again to 20 ga and smaller gauges in guns such as/ similar to 1100, 870, and of course a two barrel gun.

No quail here, used to be, I used to visit neighboring states.I have taken quail with Super X Model 1s, 1100s in all 4 gauges, 870 and 1300 in all 4 gauges [1300 in all 4 ga dates me huh?] Model 12s in 12, 20 and 28, Model 42s...Ithaca 20ga...1897 Winchester gets one some looks...

I also have this thing about using single shot shotguns for hunting. Quail and Dove , 28 ga again is favored, 20 ga used a lot and even the .410, because I can.

My favorite was My Citori 3 bbl Skeet set. I used the 28 ga barrels of course.

Respect the Quail.

No matter the guns or loads - Always Respect the Quail.

Steve

January 20, 2006, 10:07 PM	#1
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	Shotgun for Quail I need help selecting a good shotgun for quail hunting. I shot a Beretta Silver Pigeon O/U today, 12 ga. with 32" barrell. The barrell seems too long and slow to get on target. Any suggestions on style, gauge, model and barrell length appreciated. Thanks

January 20, 2006, 11:40 PM	#4
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	My choice for both quail and dove is a Browning Citori 20 gauge O/U with 26 inch barrels and interchangeable chokes. I typically use IC in one barrel and either Lt Mod or Skeet in the other depending on situation. The MOST important thing is for the shotgun to FIT YOU! I had to remove slightly more than 1/4 inch from the top of comb and completely strip/refinish stock on my Citori to make it shoot to the "point of aim" for me. Required more than a little courage to apply a rasp to the stock of Grade VI Citori. Good shooting and be safe. LB ps: This problem is not unique to Browning or Citori's. I have the same problem on all current factory shotgun stocks. Guess they design the stocks for people with thinner faces. Last edited by LHB1; January 21, 2006 at 12:38 AM.

January 21, 2006, 02:38 AM	#6
Samuel2001 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2001 Posts: 838	How bout a MERKEL SxS 28ga. with 24 or 26 inch tubes, and a straight (English) stock. Now that would be the sweet set up. If not, a Rem 1100 20ga with 26" tube and Remchokes will do. __________________ .45 ACP Because no matter how you try to rationalize it, 9mm is still for women and pansies. Build a bridge, and...GET OVER IT!

January 22, 2006, 01:42 AM	#10
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	Gun Fit comments +1 Other factors include : -Gentleman Hunts - Gotta be 28 ga in a two barrel gun configuration. Etched deep in tradition. -Toting- like many bird hunts , lots of walking and toting, so again a gun that fits , easy to tote for when shots do presents themselves lean again to 20 ga and smaller gauges in guns such as/ similar to 1100, 870, and of course a two barrel gun. No quail here, used to be, I used to visit neighboring states.I have taken quail with Super X Model 1s, 1100s in all 4 gauges, 870 and 1300 in all 4 gauges [1300 in all 4 ga dates me huh?] Model 12s in 12, 20 and 28, Model 42s...Ithaca 20ga...1897 Winchester gets one some looks... I also have this thing about using single shot shotguns for hunting. Quail and Dove , 28 ga again is favored, 20 ga used a lot and eventhe .410, because I can. My favorite was My Citori 3 bbl Skeet set. I used the 28 ga barrels of course. Respect the Quail. No matter the guns or loads - Always Respect the Quail. Steve __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

January 22, 2006, 01:43 AM	#11
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	Gun Fit comments +1 Other factors include : -Gentleman Hunts - Gotta be 28 ga in a two barrel gun configuration. Etched deep in tradition. -Toting- like many bird hunts , lots of walking and toting, so again a gun that fits , easy to tote for when shots do presents themselves lean again to 20 ga and smaller gauges in guns such as/ similar to 1100, 870, and of course a two barrel gun. No quail here, used to be, I used to visit neighboring states.I have taken quail with Super X Model 1s, 1100s in all 4 gauges, 870 and 1300 in all 4 gauges [1300 in all 4 ga dates me huh?] Model 12s in 12, 20 and 28, Model 42s...Ithaca 20ga...1897 Winchester gets one some looks... I also have this thing about using single shot shotguns for hunting. Quail and Dove , 28 ga again is favored, 20 ga used a lot and even the .410, because I can. My favorite was My Citori 3 bbl Skeet set. I used the 28 ga barrels of course. Respect the Quail. No matter the guns or loads - Always Respect the Quail. Steve __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

January 20, 2006, 10:45 PM	#2
dm1333 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2005 Posts: 401	I won't get into brands but I hunt a lot of quail and like lighter quick handling guns. My 12 gauge pump is too heavy and slow for those fast little suckers. I have used both a 20 ga. single and side by side with good results. The area of California that I live in is not the greatest habitat either so I have to do a lot of walking between coveys so a light gun is definately a plus!

January 20, 2006, 11:16 PM	#3
Hello123 Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Posts: 571	I like pump guns. I would choose one in a 20 guage with an aluminum receiver for the lighter weight.

January 21, 2006, 12:07 AM	#5
gordo b. Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2002 Location: Peoples republik of Calif. Posts: 961	I use currently a 26" Citori grade 2 .410 o/u , 7 1/2 shot 3" out of it's Skeet 1 &2 barrels.I have a sweet little 24" Fox(311b savage gussied up) 20ga SxS whitch does the dead with #8 low base loads.Quail don't take much in Central Calif. , you just got to hit them. A long shot is 25 yards. Think smaller guage (20 and less) and 24-26" barrels.

January 21, 2006, 03:15 AM	#7
.50cal packer Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Posts: 154	I like any o/u 20 gauge, with a 26" barrel. They are quick to target, and pretty light. Or go with a auto, like a SX2 light field. Still staying with a 26" barrel, if you like the three shot concept. I have both, and most days it's hard to choose.

January 21, 2006, 08:45 AM	#8
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	There's few quail around here now, but long ago I did a fair amount of hunting them. Shotguns that worked well for me on quail included..... 870s, 12 gauge with 18-21" barrels. Choke went from none to IC. Weight, around 7 lbs. SKB 20 gauge O/U with 28" barrels choked IC/Mod. 6 lbs Stevens 311 12 gauge SXS, AKA "Ranger" with barrels shortened to 25". IC/IC and about 7 lbs. French/Belgian Didier SxS 12 gauge,27" barrels, chokes 8 and 15 POC. 6 lbs, 5 oz. All handled quickly. All had open to moderate choking. All were totable. The best, looking back, were the 870s and that Euro boxlock. A cousin has the Stevens now. He's taken some grouse and lots of rabbits with it. Quail guns need to be portable, handle fast(though this can be overrated) and do not need a teacup of 2 shot to fold a half lb bird. Shot opps run close and oft in thicker cover. Action type is not crucial, but lots of good quail hunters use SxS shotguns. In the East, I'd go with 8s, IC and shorter barrels. 26" on a repeater is good. Not more than 28" on a double. HTH....

January 21, 2006, 09:49 PM	#9
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	Looks as though the 20 ga and smaller are best along with 26-28 barrells. Great info and thanks. Hats off to LHB1, a rasp on a Citori, what a guy!!

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