#2381900 - 08/20/08 06:03 PM
Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
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WFR
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Registered: 07/25/07
Posts: 111
Loc: Upstate SC
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My father-in-law just invited me to go on a week-long pheasant hunt in early Nov this year!
Not sure if it's North or South Dakota. I'll know more soon.
I've always dreamed of going and it looks like this year it may happen if I can get off work that week!
I own 3 shotguns.
Ithaca 37 beater 28" modified = not a good choiceand old.
Remington 870 20 ga 26" IC = too small & choked too open
Rem 1100 12 ga 2 3/4" 30" Full = would this work in a pinch?
In my pheasant hunting dreams I don't see myself carrying any of the above!
I'm thinking either an O/U or a Belgium A-5.
What chokes, loads and guns should I be looking at?
If cost prohibits me from buying another gun will my 1100 suffice with a different barrel?
Thanks in advance!
WFR
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#2381953 - 08/20/08 06:23 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: WFR]
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VernAK
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Registered: 06/27/01
Posts: 889
Loc: Delta Junction, Alaska
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WFR,
Later season pheasants are getting wary and larger with moore feathers and fat....thus I prefer good loads of 4 or 5 shot and some of these create a lot of recoil.....I haven't used my O/U for several years and most of my partners have also switched to the lower recoil Auto 12 gauge....in our group of a dozen hunters teh first choice is overwhelmingly the Beretta 391....we also have a Binelli and a remingto 1100....and only one pump gun left.
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#2382082 - 08/20/08 07:30 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: VernAK]
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WFR
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Registered: 07/25/07
Posts: 111
Loc: Upstate SC
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I could see a Beretta or Benelli too!
Good input!
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#2382092 - 08/20/08 07:36 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: WFR]
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Spotshooter
Campfire Guide
Registered: 05/10/03
Posts: 4600
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Save your money and use your 1100 with the long barrel and a full choke.
I kill a good deal of pheasant, and BTW go and shoot some trap at least a weekend or two so you can hit some birds Especially if you haven't shot in a while.
Spot
_________________________
Spot shooter
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#2382100 - 08/20/08 07:41 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: Spotshooter]
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passport
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 10/04/06
Posts: 2284
Loc: Coast Guard city MI
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BTW go and shoot some trap at least a weekend or two so you can hit some birds Especially if you haven't shot in a while.
Spot
That is GREAT advice!!
As for a gun I vote for a new/used 1187 12 ga with screw in chokes. Tough to beat a 26 inch 1187 with mod and a stout load of #4's for late season birds, there tough and need big shot and tigher chokes, just dont forget to hit the trap, skeet and sporting clays range!!!!
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#2382178 - 08/20/08 08:09 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: passport]
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rob p
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 11/14/05
Posts: 1711
Loc: rhode island
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I blew a lot of pheasants to bits with a full choke 1100 with a 30" barrel and 1 1/4 oz of #6's and green dot powder back in my college days. It was the only gun I had and I shot pheasants with #6's and ducks with #5's. I bought a 26" barrel with Rem chokes later in life and have used it pretty much exclusively with the modified choke. It does far less damage on the close birds and still throws a good pattern (obliterates a pizza box) at 40 yards. Here that's a good pheasant gun. Your wild birds and conditions may dictate another formula, but the 1100 was all I had for about five years and I killed a lot of birds with that full choke barrel.
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#2382220 - 08/20/08 08:25 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: rob p]
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WFR
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Registered: 07/25/07
Posts: 111
Loc: Upstate SC
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A 26" barrel with screw-in chokes would make the 1100 a go if I do not find something else.
I will be shooting before I leave for sure and patterning with loads I will take.
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#2382938 - 08/21/08 09:04 AM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: WFR]
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KevinGibson
Campfire Guide
Registered: 10/08/04
Posts: 4114
Loc: NW Arkansas
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WFR - any of those guns will work, pick the one that fits you best. A full choke gun is tough to use on Pheasant because if you hit them close, you tear them up bad. If you let them get out further so as not to tear them up, they're hard to hit; you have to be a good shot.
The Ithaca 37 is a great gun (not sure how "beat" yours is). They pack well and are completely reliable. Modified choke is ok for Pheasant, again you might want to let them get out just a tad before dropping the hammer on them.
870 20ga with IC - This would be my first choice given your list. 20ga is nice to carry in the field and if you shoot well, it kills 'em just as dead as a 12ga. IC is my all around hunting choke. Most hunt with too much choke, and IC is perfect for almost everything. If you shoot well, this gun would be ideal.
It all depends on how you hunt. Do you hunt with a dog? Is that dog a pointer or does he just flush birds? If he's a pointer, then you have the opportunity to get set, get close and call your shot. If that's the case, the 20ga is perfect with a #5 or #6 1oz load.
If the dog just runs around and kicks up birds, then the Ithaca or 1100 may be the better choice as shots will be longer. Again, #5 or #6 shot and 1 1/8 oz is fine.
If you're hunting without a dog, and you're kicking them up, again, I'd go with the 870 in 20ga because shots will be real close.
It's hard to shake off tradition. Tradition says you have to use a 12ga with a modified choke to hunt Pheasant, but this tradition goes all the way back to black powder days and a whole lot has changed since then. Modern loads in an IC choke give tighter patters than an old (paper shell, cork wad) load would do in a Mod choke; this is why the IC is THE choke for most pheasant hunting.
If you shoot well, a 20ga is a Pheasant hunters dream. If you don't shoot well, then you want a 12ga with an IC choke.
If you're going to buy a new gun, then just get the one that fits you best, and is within your budget. And remember, use an IC choke; you'll kill more birds and take them cleaner.
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#2383143 - 08/21/08 10:35 AM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: KevinGibson]
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nighthawk
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Registered: 05/31/05
Posts: 1133
Loc: NE South Dakota
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Probably stating the obvious, but ammunition makes a difference too. Premium shells have harder shot (antimony costs), don't deform as much and so pattern tighter and more evenly. I like IC with premium shot in a 20 (or 12) early in the season or behind a good dog when the birds hold well (good cover, not windy). A 12 ga. O/U, full/mod (fixed) with cheap shells to open up the pattern a bit otherwise. If it had tubes I'd go mod/IC with premium shells. Hard shot and full choke can be hell - except for really long shots, either you miss or blow up the bird.
A major consideration is which gun fits well. If your eye isn't pretty much lined up with the barrel when you mount the gun it can be a long day no matter.
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#2383551 - 08/21/08 01:58 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: nighthawk]
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Derek
Campfire Regular
Registered: 07/23/08
Posts: 875
Loc: PA
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I am excited to go with dad this year and use my Ruger Red Label. It's a beautiful gun. Shot a round of trap Monday night -- first time I've shot trap in about 8 years -- and broke about half the birds.
Dad's Weatherby Orion I got him for his 50th birthday is a dream to hunt pheasant with -- although I posted results just as nice the last time we went, using his old 870 Wingmaster from the '80s.
Use what you're comfortable with, but that said, there's nothing like a nice over/under for pheasant hunting.
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#2389194 - 08/24/08 12:21 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: Derek]
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birddog1
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Registered: 09/06/02
Posts: 319
Loc: Massillon, OH
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Check out the Weatherby Orion's. The older ones are made by SKB, I can't remember who is making the newer ones. I picked up one of the Orion Upland O/U from CDNN. Due to a job change I have to sell it though, I just listed it in the classified section.
Edited by birddog1 (08/24/08 12:27 PM)
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#2389520 - 08/24/08 03:21 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: birddog1]
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Derek
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Registered: 07/23/08
Posts: 875
Loc: PA
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Check out the Weatherby Orion's. The older ones are made by SKB, I can't remember who is making the newer ones. I picked up one of the Orion Upland O/U from CDNN. Due to a job change I have to sell it though, I just listed it in the classified section.
My dad's is a 2000-ish manufacture by SKB. I think Fausti makes the newer ones, the ones with the d'Italia suffix. I much prefer the Japanese ones.
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#2389701 - 08/24/08 05:00 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: KevinGibson]
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GPA
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Registered: 09/17/07
Posts: 1003
Loc: Upstate NY
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You make some good points. I grew up in the backwoods, where long barrel... full choke...and heavy shot were the order of the day. You couldn't hamstring a young hunter more!!! About 15-20 years ago, I switched to shorter barrels...more open chokes...and smaller shot. Guess what?? I started bagging more birds. Now, my "bring home the bacon" gun is a Remington 11-87 with 26" barrel and IC tube with shot never larger than 6's. I wish I had learned this years ago.
Thanks,
GPA
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#2389857 - 08/24/08 06:15 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: Derek]
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rob p
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 11/14/05
Posts: 1711
Loc: rhode island
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I used to carry my 1100 (5 shots) along side my buddy with his Citori (2 shots). One day, hunters in the field over flushed a bunch of birds. Over the tree tops they came. Two birds came straight at us, My buddy said "you take one I'll take one." He fired both his shots: miss - miss. I put up my ll00 and dropped one bird in front of me, let the other bird fly over, and out about twenty five yards and "pow" dropped him too. My friend's looking at his double barrel. He sold it and got a Browning BPS after that. Doubles are nice, but you've got to be a good shot. I like to carry the five slugs in deer season too. I've never shot two shots at a deer, but I've hit ducks and geese on the third (guns have to be plugged). I feel better with the other two back ups in the mag. With a lot of practice, maybe I'd carry one of my doubles.
Edited by rob p (08/24/08 06:18 PM)
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#2390290 - 08/24/08 10:34 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: rob p]
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nighthawk
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Registered: 05/31/05
Posts: 1133
Loc: NE South Dakota
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A lot of it's fit. Usually I prefer to carry my Zoli O/U but the stock has been "adjusted" so it comes up well. On the other hand an 1100 fits me well right out of the box. But then there's the story of a relative from around 60 years ago that keeps coming up. On a family hunt they flushed a big nye, five shots from his at the time fancy Browning Auto, five birds, and he said, "Don't know about you guys, but I got my limit and I'm ready to go." I was told that nobody kidded him about carrying "a rich man's gun" after that. Great uncle Lawrence was said to have been an exceptional shot.
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#2390984 - 08/25/08 10:32 AM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: nighthawk]
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KevinGibson
Campfire Guide
Registered: 10/08/04
Posts: 4114
Loc: NW Arkansas
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Hey nighthawk, which Zoli do you have? I have a Z-gun (LX980\Kronos) that is use for sporting clays.
This one with adjustable comb
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/images/zoli/Z-Sport_Gun_Hi-Res.jpg
I call it a poor man's MX8
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#2391056 - 08/25/08 11:03 AM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: WFR]
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tzone
Campfire Guide
Registered: 02/23/04
Posts: 2702
Loc: just south of the Youpers
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I'd get a new choke or a new barrel for that 870 20ga. A modified choke/barrel will work great on those phesants. It will be a little tight for close flushes but better than your full. You probably won't be having too many close flushes in Nov. anyway.
That 20 will be great to carry, as I'm sure you're going to be a good deal of walking. It will also hit just well as the 12. Try to pattern with the Federal phesant loads in the 20, I've had good luck with them. You also might want to try Remignton Nitro Mags. They pattern well in my 870 20ga and are a little cheaper than the premiums. I have used them on turkey and they hit like the hammer of Thor at 40 yards and closer on those.
_________________________
My biggest fear when I die is...my wife will sell all my guns for what she thinks I paid for them.
'SKOL VIKINGS 'SKOL
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#2391175 - 08/25/08 12:01 PM
Re: Need a shotgun for pheasant hunt this year!!!
[Re: KevinGibson]
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nighthawk
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Registered: 05/31/05
Posts: 1133
Loc: NE South Dakota
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It's the Zoli that Sears sold years ago, nonadjustable stock, 28" barrels. Dad got it for me as a present when I was in the Army so it must have been around 1980. That particular store was closing out on firearms so they were discounted, bought it from an employee, another discount, and the rib was dented (easy fix) for another discount. He always lucked into deals like that!
It's given me no problems and is just fun to shoot. Only modifications are the Barsness trick of shimming one side of the stock for some castoff, trimmed the butt for pitch, and add a quick change recoil pad system (Gun Nut II) so I can change the length of pull by season and application.
Some day when I get more ambition I'll restock it in fancy wood. The adjustable comb is nice, been daydreaming about adding one. Maybe if I build that new stock. Fortunately I'm pretty much standard size so the factory comb is good.
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