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05-15-2019, 03:10 PM | #13 | ||||||
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For grouse and woodcock in thick cover -- or in the mountains -- I like a very light gun that I can easily carry with one hand while using the other to clear brush...or hang on for dear life while climbing through a mountain clearcut. The guns I use for this weigh between 5 lbs. 3 oz. (my Dickson 28 bore) and 5 lbs. 13 oz. (my Fox XE 16 bore).
For quail on the prairie I like between 5 lbs. 10 oz. (my Cogswell & Harrison back action hammer 16 bore w/30 inch barrels -- good forward weight) and 6 lbs. 10 oz. (my Parker DHE 20 bore with 30 inch barrels that fits me like a glove). If I think I will encounter pheasants I'll opt for a heavier 16 in the 6 1/2 pound range or a 12 bore in the 7 pound range (my GH 30 inch 12 bore that weighs -- and letters at -- 7 lbs.). Obviously, choke requirements change, too, and are just as important as weight. Like Kenny, we hunt long days when pursuing upland birds. I don't want to end up with one arm longer than the other. Now for ducks or dove...
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers ) "'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy) |
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05-15-2019, 03:39 PM | #14 | ||||||
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Ducks or dove are two whole different discussions.
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The Following User Says Thank You to Mills Morrison For Your Post: |
05-15-2019, 09:40 PM | #15 | ||||||
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Not necessarily. I routinely us my grouse guns for doves, and passing birds at that. No handicap at all.
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05-16-2019, 05:38 AM | #16 | |||||||
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Quote:
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05-16-2019, 06:24 AM | #17 | ||||||
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A well balanced gun ( and Parkers are well balanced ) always fells lighter than they are.
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05-16-2019, 10:52 PM | #18 | ||||||
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When I was a teen and a young man chasing quail, my favorite weighed 7 1/4 #.That was a
Belgian A-5.Later the doubles came. Love 16 parkers about 6.5 #.The common factor in them all is a good very slightly foward balance.Interesting how the weight preference tends toward lighter with increasing years |
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05-17-2019, 06:45 AM | #19 | |||||||
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Quote:
__________________
"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers ) "'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy) |
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05-17-2019, 09:34 AM | #20 | ||||||
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In the last 6 years, I've started using light 12 gauge guns in the 5 1/2 lb to 6 lb 5 oz range. I do a lot of walking for few shots at pheasant and quail on all day hunts in KS. I use to use a 7lb gun, but I don't need to throw a heavy load at quail or pheasants.
Ken |
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