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

[casey]

I use a Parker Reproduction 28ga for grouse and Remington and Browning 10 and 12ga for waterfowl. I dont abuse any gun but I use them.

 

[BAY]

16ga AYA #2 in the uplands. 12ga SBE2 and 28ga SBE3 in the marsh.

 

[Kdgj]

I try to use a vintage Brit shotgun when I go out. If it’s miserable weather I won’t go hunting for birds.

A 12 gauge Dickson.

A 16 gauge H&H.
Ken

 

[Old3Toe]

No room for safe queens

 

[steve white]

Funny how I don't mind putting normal wear on a nice shotgun, but find myself really babying the nicer rifles. (I cringe when I read of Sir Samuel Baker wearing 1/2 inch off his buttstock by beating back brush with it as he went through the Veld) Upshot is I will never hesitate to take a nice shotgun out, even in weather.

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

I go with the nicest I own. We only have this short time here. Not bothered with how they look after I hand them down, because I won't be here, and definitely won't be worried about it.
Plus, some honest wear adds character.
It's odd how, when I get a new rifle/shotgun, I'm scared to get the first little nick or scratch on the wood, but after some time with it in the field, the character grows and you no longer think of it. But those first few times are like walking on needles.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I go with the nicest I own. We only have this short time here. Not bothered with how they look after I hand them down, because I won't be here, and definitely won't be worried about it.
Plus, some honest wear adds character.
It's odd how, when I get a new rifle/shotgun, I'm scared to get the first little nick or scratch on the wood, but after some time with it in the field, the character grows and you no longer think of it. But those first few times are like walking on needles.

+1. Use it and protect it then after that first nick, scratch, etc suddenly the firearm becomes a work horse and not so much a safe queen.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I hunt VERY hard. Nice wood wouldn't last three seasons. The quality Browning upland vest in this photo taken three days ago is only five years old. Already it's worn out.

 

[8 x 60]

No safe queens for me. Even in the pouring rain.

 

[DocHolliday]

Whenever it’s time to go out on a hunt using a shotgun, do you usually take what I think most people would call a gun that is far too nice to use? Maybe like a fox, holland and holland, aya, kreighoff or whatever.

Or do you take what’s considered a more typical modern hunting shotgun? Like a benelli or Winchester and the like.

Perhaps you have 2 dozen shotguns that are a mix of both where each one has a specific quarry, condition, and phase of the moon.
Secondly, does traveling to different states or countries affect this decision?

I ask because I’ve no problem trudging through the briars and rain with something with costs into the 5 figures. Although I should point out another one of my favorite shotguns to hunt with is a savage 311a worth no more than a few hundred dollars. Really it depends on my mood.

But then I have a couple friends who won’t go out to the duck blind because there’s a chance of rain and their day would be nearly ruined if so much as a drop gets on their beretta a400.

Well, I just returned from a duck hunt in the sloppy south Louisiana salt marsh.... I carried a 95 yo AH Fox AE grade 16 bore. I bought it to use it. It does little for me reposing in my safe in luxury. She's a working girl!