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

[TennesseeHunter]

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.

 

[eyedok]

I hunt with all my guns, no safe queens here, doesnt matter if its an 1896 Uncle Dan, Merkel, Aya….all get hunted with, conditions dont matter, same w rifles, have done alot of deer hunting w a Soringfield trapdoor all original, was a blast, took a nice 10 pt

 

[Hunter-Habib]

A good shotgun is one which gets used, but not abused.

Mine is a 1987 made 12 gauge 3” Magnum Beretta Model 626E with a single selective trigger, a fully choked left barrel & a half choked right barrel. A premium grade gun. But one which sees extensive use throughout the year.

 

[Flbt]

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.

My dad used a fox sterling worth 32 sxs with both full choke
He used that gun for everything after his uncle gave it to him. The uncle used it during a few small “ riots”
Most of the others from that age group used Ithaca sxs and browning autos.
I used mostly pumps

 

[steve white]

I have always hunted with the best shotgun I have. I like pretty wood and engraving, but if I bought it at all, I bought it because it fit me and I shot better with it. Greener double and Funk drilling have gotten the lion's share of shooting time. The only knock around gun I have I haven't used much.

 

[Goopy]

CZ Bobwhite 20 gauge SxS for me today…it’s an understated classic!

 

[VAHunter]

I’m a simple guy. I carry a Beretta 390 in the thick stuff for turkey, rabbits and deer or a Beretta 686 Onyx 20 Ga for birds.

 

[mdwest]

It depends…

For waterfowl or something like Sandhill Crane I go with a “modern” synthetic semi.. my benelli super Vinci or a beretta a400…

Most everything else gets a webley & scott o/u (I’ve got both 20 and 12 ha guns) ..which are nice.. but not really anything super special or outrageously expensive…

If I owned a higher end shotgun I wouldn’t hesitate to use it… but… that’s probably why I don’t own a higher end shotgun… I’m pretty hard on gear.. and I’d likely have it all f’d up after just a couple hunts lol.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

My go to shotgun growing up was also a Stevens 311A that my dad bought me to match his grandfather’s 311A that he hunted with.

I still hunt with that 311 once in a while or the 20, 16, or 410 I bought to match it. Lately however I’ve found myself grabbing a 1886 built Westley Richards or one of 2 different 1930’s built Browning Superposed shotguns when I upland hunt or go shoot sporting clays.

If it’s Turkey’s I use a trusty old Mossberg 835 wearing a red dot, with 3.5” TSS because there’s no such thing as overkill. Waterfowl is a SBE 2 that the camo has started wearing off the metal.

 

[TennesseeHunter]

So far it seems like to one degree or another yall have and use all makes of shotguns for most jobs. That makes sense, especially considering this is a hunting forum.

What I use the most is a ceasar guerini invictus for all I can. Except for also a mossberg 835 for turkey and a browning b2000 for duck and goose.
Then when it feels right I’ll take a savage/stevens, Ithica, or one of the very fancy looking Italian or Spanish side by sides.

I reckon it’s a whatever makes you happy there’s no wrong answer type of thing. Except maybe a 2 1/2” chamber quarter choke Boss and co for use on goose.

 

[BryceM]

For upland hunting, which I do 3-4 times a week in-season, I carry a 20 ga CZ side-by-side bobwhite. Two triggers, just like it should be.

For waterfowl, a Benelli 12 ga auto with a black plastic stock.

I don’t even own anything fancier.

 

[DillonG]

I love shotguns. I’m not much of a bird hunter, but my father always told me that a solid 12 gauge can handle everything from mice to big bears. I own 6 now, and I can honestly say that some of my cheapest shotguns are what I grab first. They are reliable, they are easy to handle, and I’m not too bothered when I rub the stock on a tree. A single shot 12 gauge might be the most versatile firearm invented to date.

 

[Cleathorn]

I use everything from a Remington 870 Sportsman that I bought in 1984 to my Caesar Guerini Invictus V, and I have had to use both as canoe paddles/push polls on occasion. I've also used a whole bunch of other shotguns in between.

I use whatever I happen to have on hand, or borrow, depending on the circumstances. I have never found the intended quarry (or occasional target of opportunity) to care much about the gun I was using. In my experience, they all work about the same.

I do, however, like shooting my Caesar Guerini a touch more than the 40-year-old Remington, but that's a personal issue. I take care of them all the same way after the hunt — wipe down and complete cleaning when required — but use them nonetheless.

It's all personal preference. I know some "gun guys" who would never dream of taking a high-end shotgun or rifle into the bush, and some pretty good hunters who have hunted a lifetime without owning a gun that costs over $1,000. Mostly, the personal predilections make for some interesting conversations among hunting buddies, but again, the dead pheasants do not seem to concern themselves with the gun that was used in the process.

 

[Red Leg]

I use all of mine. My limiting factor is air travel. For instance, I was in South Dakota two weeks ago pushing pheasants from milo fields. Either my McNaughton or Stephen Grant would have been ideal, but the notion of risking either to baggage handlers gave me pause. I brought my RBL instead.

 

[coreydb]

I shoot all my rifles and shotguns and they are all beautiful; some very beautiful. I have a vintage (130 yr old) English side by side with beautiful engraving and stock. I shoot that also! I just don't treat any of my guns rough.

 

[318AE]

I seem to enjoy the day more if I have my explora or one of my drop locks, depending on what the day likely has to offer. My father in law’s silver pigeon gets some use and reflection too.

 

[coreydb]

I seem to enjoy the day more if I have my explora or one of my drop locks, depending on what the day likely has to offer. My father in law’s silver pigeon gets some use and reflection too.

Yes!

 

[mark-hunter]

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.

Living in Europe, I have much more guns then average gun owner. I have at least one gun, for one purpose. But I do everything, bulls eye shooting, hunting here and there, africa, feathers, dangerous game, long range shooting, practical shooting sport, and I am a coach.
When it comes to shotguns, my inventory is modest. I have mossberg 500, and browning b525.
So, my choice for hunting is 525. 12 GA.

If I would have high end shotgun, I would take it to rough shooting any time!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Browning A5 Magnum Twelve with a few modifications. 1961 Belgian receiver, 1970s trigger group, 1990s Miroku barrel with Invector chokes, and aftermarket plastic fore end and butt stock. It wears a Pachmayer slipon recoil pad for extra LOP. I had a bushing made so I can shoot it with 2.75" barrel spring and friction brake when light loads are needed. It shoots lights out in the field or at the skeet range.