Do you go afield with “hunting” or “nice” shotguns

[MS 9x56]

Any long gun that doesn’t get hunted is just a bauble. There is no such thing to me as a gun too pretty or nice to hunt with.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I am considering a “beater” modern semi for steel shot now.

In 2025 I have used my 1868 WC Scott for Turkey and geese. My 120 yr old Westley Richards 20 gauge for grouse and Woodcock, and Colorado for Blue Grouse. and will use my 1972 AYA number 2 for Geese this weekend.

BUT ! I would draw the line at a rainy, muddy day in the marsh for ducks. I need to settle on which plastic beater semi to use for ducks.

 

[Challer]

I have what many would consider a shotgun problem. Highly engraved highly figured shotguns from Italy and Germany. All go the field. Same for rifles. Snow rain mud water, they get used and cared for appropriately. They look better for it and it fulfills my dopamine needs. Man’s creations are meant to be used otherwise it’s just art of some sort.

 

[MS 9x56]

I am considering a “beater” modern semi for steel shot now.

In 2025 I have used my 1868 WC Scott for Turkey and geese. My 120 yr old Westley Richards 20 gauge for grouse and Woodcock, and Colorado for Blue Grouse. and will use my 1972 AYA number 2 for Geese this weekend.

BUT ! I would draw the line at a rainy, muddy day in the marsh for ducks. I need to settle on which plastic beater semi to use for ducks. View attachment 723338View attachment 723339View attachment 723340View attachment 723341View attachment 723342

Nice looking double. Who made the knife pictured? Nice bag of geese also.

 

[S Bertram]

I hunt my 12 bore Holland Royal self-opener, recent trip to South Dakota shooting Prairie Chickens and Pheasants.

Wyoming for Sage Grouses and Ruffs

I shoot it as well as any gun that I have shot, it is my very favorite firearm that I own.

 

[MS 9x56]

I hunt my 12 bore Holland Royal self-opener, recent trip to South Dakota shooting Prairie Chickens and Pheasants.

Wyoming for Sage Grouses and Ruffs

I shoot it as well as any gun that I have shot, it is my very favorite firearm that I own.

Beautiful dogs as well as double.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I will take a nice shotgun into the field but if the weather is looking like rain, there are some that I will leave at home. I have a nice old Belgian Browning A5 that is lovely but that Euro steel will rust if you look at it too long, let alone get it wet. That one is a fair weather hunter. I also have a nice old SxS with double triggers. It is well worn with the patina of a well loved overlander. I have had it for more than 30yrs and take it about anywhere.

I have other more utilitarian shotguns but tend to choose the one best suited to the job at hand. Some are old family heirlooms and do not get out much anymore.

 

[Altitude sickness]

MS it’s an antique Scarperia. A 600 yr old intalian knife company. On my wife’s last trip to Italy, she visited AH’s own @Phil Giordono and he sent this beauty home with her for me. So I try to take it on every hunt now. Along with other heirloom type knives I have.

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Using it on a recent Elk hunt

 

[PARA45]

This shogun is not by any means a masterpiece or something super expensive. For me it was expensive when I bought it. It is a Weatherby Athena Grade IV in 12 ga, and yes, I took her hunting in some nasty South Dakota weather.

 

[S Bertram]

Beautiful dogs as well as double.

Thanks, I have been running Springers for almost 30 years, great dogs. The Setter is my first pointing dog, she was given to me and I'm thrilled with her, she was bred by the Berg Brothers.

The Holland gets hunted whenever I hunt the prairie, I don't hunt in rain, but I don't mind hunting in the snow.

 

[MS 9x56]

MS it’s an antique Scarperia. A 600 yr old intalian knife company. On my wife’s last trip to Italy, she visited AH’s own @Phil Giordono and he sent this beauty home with her for me. So I try to take it on every hunt now. Along with other heirloom type knives I have.

​

Using it on a recent Elk hunt
View attachment 723349View attachment 723350

During my military tour in Germany late 1970’s I was privileged to hunt with an older German gentleman who had a knife very similar to yours which is why it caught my eye. Another example of great old world craftsmanship. As adept at opening a wine bottle as field dressing game.

 

[GeorgeGibbs505]

William Evans best 12 bore . In my opinion, there are very few guns or rifles too nice not to carry in the field .

 

[Altitude sickness]

Yes MS those are very popular in Europe and especially Germany. 20 and 12 gauge shell puller, and all the other handy tools

 

[baxterb]

Had I owned any really fine shotguns I would have zero problem using them anywhere. The ONE exception is chukar hunting in their true habitat. It is not to be underestimated.

 

[Odinsraven]

Don't own a shotgun but all my rifles get hunted - but then I am a legend in my own mind for how cheap I am with the guns I have so suppose it does not really matter ! However, if I did have an expensive rifle, who am I kidding, that will never happen!

 

[thoma018]

The old 311A is the best, cheap checkering worn smooth, blued barrels worn white--nostalgic, plus its killed about everything that flies or swims, has fur, hair, feathers and even scales/skins.

 

[Firebird]

A plain utilitarian semi auto for all waterfowl. Upland birds require something with some elegance, reverence, respect for the birds and the sport. I shoot the nicest guns I can afford, which isn’t much but best I can do. A pretty o/u is much more fun to hunt chukars in true chukar country than the soulless semi auto I would carry for waterfowl.

 

[chashardy]

I shoot a Beretta SL3 20g for doves and quail and a 687EELL Classic 12G for pheasant. No safe queens, but I do take care of my guns. If it's raining, I might switch to my A400 semi-auto with the composite stock. If I could afford a Purdey or Holland & Holland I would still take them into the field and hunt with them.

 

[Altitude sickness]

A nice vintage SxS is nice to show off. But the real enjoyment is just carrying them in the field. Even when there is no one to show off to.

It’s not explainable, but it is similar to carrying a vintage Recurve or longbow or Selfbow. It makes you slow down and smell the coffee. Enjoy the process instead of only a goal of killing.

Of course I like to get my limit like many. But it really is a different unexplainable experience.

 

[steve white]

I will take a nice shotgun into the field but if the weather is looking like rain, there are some that I will leave at home. I have a nice old Belgian Browning A5 that is lovely but that Euro steel will rust if you look at it too long, let alone get it wet. That one is a fair weather hunter. I also have a nice old SxS with double triggers. It is well worn with the patina of a well loved overlander. I have had it for more than 30yrs and take it about anywhere.

I have other more utilitarian shotguns but tend to choose the one best suited to the job at hand. Some are old family heirlooms and do not get out much anymore.

Give it a thin wipe of lanolin based grease and it won't rust.