best choke for quail

Supports the steel shot and lead shot only. Lead 6’s would be my choice if chasing quail out West and is my preferred for grouse. The dog demands that much respect. Holm proclaims aftermarket choke tube makers are experts in their craft. Gun mounts must be fast and shots snappy if there’s to be any hope of connecting. Shotshells provided with Bior or felt wad on the first barrel and low soft lead weight density are ideal for quail hunting.As for the gauges, besides the traditional not too heavy 12- and 20- balanced ones, you may consider the 28- and 410 sizes, which are more widely appreciated by those who want to make the hunting challenge a little more nail-biting. Another top pick is any of Carlson’s various LM chokes, which have the added benefit of being steel-shot safe. 6: kent 12-gauge k122ufl 36, 1 1⁄4 oz. Available shot sizes include 6s, 7 ½s and 8s. That means shooting #6 shot (preferably steel) through any gauge .410 through 12, choosing a Skeet and/or Modified Choke configuration, as well as bringing along an enthusiastic pup that will find and retrieve your game. Regular 12-gauge loads, such as Herter’s Select Field Pheasant with 1¼ ounces of No. I haven’t seen enough of a difference to lean either way. Til this day I still do not understand the need for 3.5-inch loads and one definitely does not need them for a 6-ounce bird. 7 steel shot, which counts out to 253 pellets.Based on one hunt, with Improved Cylinder/Improved Modified chokes … Personally I use 3″ 1-3/8oz #5 bismuth that is 1450fps and an IC choke. Tighter chokes for longer range shooting. Shoot the more open barrel first on the covey rise, then the tighter barrel as the birds make their escape. He seemed to feel that a light 12 with one tight choke and one open with two triggers, was the best way to go. What are the best chokes for a side by side .410 used for quail and partridge? In addition to that pretty dog, you also likely have a nice looking Over-Under Beretta like mine or your Grandaddy’s Winchester Model 12 pump gun. 20 gauge ammunition is typically more readily available, especially in a pinch, though I would highly recommend soft-shooting 16 gauge RST shells. I’ve had significantly better luck shooting an Improved Cylinder/Light Modified setup out of my Beretta. However, it’s a small price to pay for what might be the ultimate upland autoloader. species gauge choke range in yd. Open chokes are best for close in shooting. Can also be good for hunting quail flushing from underfoot. So what chokes do you all suggest I use. You’ve got some kind of fine shooting dog who’s working the heavy cover,thorns, and thickets that house and host our quarry. If the latter flushes, I simply shoot what’s in my gun at the covey rise, then load up with spreader rounds and go after the singles, which tend to sit tighter and present the closest shots. I agree with your choices but prefer 71/2s. The 12-gauge model with a 26-inch, light contour barrel weighs just 6.75 pounds. Oct 7, 2010 #2 I like IC first barrel and Mod #2 for quail. chokes for upland bird hunting Typically most upland bird hunting is done with the more open choke constrictions. It only takes a few pellets and the meat is not torn up like it is with bigger shot. My favorite Franchi offering, though, is the legendary 48 AL. Quail aren’t big birds or exceptionally hard to bring down. A lighter load or expecting longer shots I’d maybe use a modified choke. If you think about the flight and escape habits of quail in their natural habitat, often they will sit tight in cover and hold for a pointing dog…assuming you have a pointing breed. Skeet – Just slightly tighter than cylinder bore, skeet choke tubes are made to get a quick spread on shot while providing slightly more range. Your email address will not be published. Either way, quail hunting requires a bit of class and nostalgia, so shoot a gun that means something to you. Skeet by definition is an optimal pattern at 21 yards. It's not a bad way to go for any upland bird hunting, actually. As with any other type of shotgun hunting, the choke you want to use depends on your shooting conditions and how that specific choke patterns the shell you want to use. Nowadays, I use a 20 Gauge, Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon chambered in Skeet and Modified, Under-Over respectively. At a time, Grandaddy was a quail specialist and now you’re in his footsteps. Both loads come in 12- and 20-gauge and are powerful enough to also bag surprise roosters if necessary. I do however disagree on your choice of chokes. A choke is a metal tube that screws into the end of a shotgun barrel, designed to constrict the pellets to varying degrees as they leave the barrel, determining the distance that the pellets spread out after leaving the barrel. 2 and 3/4 inch shells will suffice. I personally feel that for the 28ga on up that improved cylinder is the tightest choke you want for Bobwhite quail with preference going to cylinder and skeet. And the full choke for hunting quail and turkey, etc. This amount of spread is called the pattern. Quail hunters who prefer pumps should consider Remington’s 870 Wingmaster. The Parker has very little choke in either barrel and that along with a few other things makes it the very best ruffed grouse gun I have ever owned. The weight should be between 6-7 lbs and the balance should be muzzle light,neutral or very slightly muzzle heavy. Ethical hunting is inclusive of finding and retrieving downed game, with or without a dog. I use this combo also on Chukar, but have only killed the planted variety. Huntndogs New Member. Obviously, if you have not noticed, I am a bit biased towards #6 loads. I’ll initially load up with regular shells in anticipation of either pheasants or quail. As far as chokes goes, anything from skeet to mod works great in a double gun with one bbl for close work and the second for the going away shots (IC for a single bbl gun). Wild huns and chukars - 4's. Crazy Quail focuses on developing the most high-tech automated target systems that are efficient, versatile, simple to use, and all around more fun to shoot! If you’re hunting quail over a pointing dog, shots are usually up close and personal, so you’ll want to open things up a bit. I would like to know how you guys set up your chokes for quail and chukars? Anything tighter than modified is never needed for bobwhites. If you really want to be picky about it, I prefer to shoot my game birds with steel shot. I see very few cripples VS other shot sizes so maybe it is because I only use lead shot shells not steel. Speedy bobwhites erupt from cover and quickly put distance between themselves and the hunter. Quail will flush fairly close and will often provide a reasonable shot if you take a little time to breathe before the shot. Unfortunately, it’s a little pricey. Benelli’s new 12-gauge 828U over/under weighs just 6.6 pounds with 28-inch barrels (6 1/2 with 26), and its adjustable shim kit provides a customized fit. Where ranges overlap, hunters must be prepared to encounter both species. If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! As a first generation hunter, Durrell seeks to learn and contribute to the community by connecting with visionaries and veterans within the bird dog community who are willing to share stories and knowledge about the various breeds, creating a bridge to welcome new and novice dog handlers to the gun dog community. I also will warn you this: do NOT use #7 1/2 shot. Although LM is my first choice, last season I had to occasionally switch to a skeet tube in order to connect with close-range quail over my Kleine Munsterlander pointer. Sounds reasonable to me. I like 12-gauges to weigh around 6 ½ pounds, and sub-g… For an older shotgun especially, the RST shells are a much lighter shooting load than most other loads and will put a little less wear and tear on Grandaddy’s old gun. I think he wrote his book before the use of choke … In a double, where two constrictions are available, improved cylinder and modified are a good pairing, especially in fixed-choke guns. Benelli’s Ethos is another lightweight contender. It is my thought that if you’re reading this you have some kind of appreciation for the finer things in life. My choice gauges for wild bobwhite quail are primarily 20 gauges and secondarily, the classic 16 gauge side-by-side. The good news is many waterfowlers probably already own a sufficient quail taker. 8s. Hunting wild, bobwhite quail is much simpler when you stick to my choice load, there is just not much more to it. Personally, I prefer 7½s for quail, since they offer a nice balance between pattern density and knockdown power — an important consideration when only a few, quick-dispersing pellets might actually hit the bird. For quail and other upland birds you will most likely be doing more close in shooting. 410? Any shotgun can bag quail, but lighter and faster is always better. Learn how your comment data is processed. Modified: This choke has less constriction than a full choke, delivering approximately 60 percent of a shell’s total pellets in a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. The habitat and landscape demand that footsteps be left by dog and man, birds are successfully retrieved in full, and memories are made along the way. 5s (6s and 7s also available) work great on quail, as does Environ-Metal’s Heavy Metal Pheasant in 5s or 4s. Control and automate your targets with your smartphone so you can focus on what really matters, shooting more! Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. With a 26-inch barrel, this 3-inch 12-gauge inertia-operated semi-auto weighs just 6.4 pounds. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy, What is the Best Shot Size and Chokes for Bobwhite Quail, The Good Reasons We Do Not Have Bird Dogs, Bobwhite Quail – A Look at the Prince of the Uplands, All the Bobwhite Quail In the South Aren’t Gone, Scouting Bobwhite Quail While Dove Hunting, You Can Hunt Wild Bobwhite Quail on Prairie Grasslands. Ideal for the close shots common on a skeet range or when shooting other clays. Other 12-gauge spreader loads include Herter’s Super Spreader with a potent 1¼-ounce payload of rare lead No. I’ve shot quail everything quail with gauges 12 through 28 and even attempted with a 98 year old .410. The good news is many waterfowlers probably already own a sufficient quail taker. 7.5’s & 8’s in a light load are typically what you see for quail and my preference is the same in 28 gauge. That’s why a lot of upland hunters prefer an over/under or side-by-side. Oct 7, 2010 #3 I use a 20 with full and mod for everything. What choke is best for bird hunting? But selecting the best shotshell … 3/4's oz of 6's in the 20 works great on BWQ. The Good Reasons We Do Not Have Bird Dogs Take a look at selecting shot size and choke size for bobwhite quail hunting. I have also shot chukars with 7 1/2 shot as well because we ran into them while quail hunting. Conclusion . The lead shot could be banned in your state. #6’s will definitely do the job but seem to be overkill for the Bob White, especially when you consider that is the size shot used for pheasants. Reactions: Salmonchaser and Mule man A gun, vest, some shells, a worn-in pair of boots, and a good dog about covers it. In single-barrel guns like pumps or semi-autos, which are limited to one choke choice, I’ve found light modified to be the ideal compromise constriction. These are your stories.”. Blame it on my Southern superstition if it pleases you, but regardless, you won’t catch me shooting #7.5’s anymore. such as Quail, and slightly larger birds like Woodcock, #7‰ shot can be overkill, with more penetration than pattern density (at least with the 1/2oz shell). What about shotgun support models? A choke tube plays an essential role in hunting turkey, duck, waterfowl, rabbit, dove, geese, quail, pheasant, grouse, and clay shooting.The shotgun mostly comes in 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 Bore, but the 12 gauge is the most appropriate for turkey hunting because it is faster in exit velocity than the 20-gauge, and also has a better effective range. Shooting #6s for me has additionally made retrieving shot birds significantly easier as seldom do I find crippled bobwhites and runners. Home » Quail Species » Bobwhite Quail Hunting » What is the Best Shot Size and Chokes for Bobwhite Quail, Durrell Smith is a 28 year old Georgia native, visual…. That didn’t last long due to more wasted gun power than shot birds. Quail don't like to fly, and you're typically very close when you spook them. In the world of consumerism, many manufacturers are constantly producing loads for one reason or another. This featherweight Franchi is the only long-recoil-operated semi-auto still in production, so there is a friction ring that must be adjusted for light or heavy loads. While creating compelling ink and watercolor illustrations based on his field experiences and hunting dogs, he also runs a podcast called The Gun Dog Notebook, which can be found on iTunes and Soundcloud. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. The bird demands that much respect. It’s great for general waterfowl hunting and hunting distant-flushing upland birds and small-game animals such as late-season pheasants and rabbits. Aside from hunting upland game and waterfowl, he participates in Hunt Tests with his Labrador Retriever. I have killed a lot of pheasants with #6’s in field loads when they are flushing close, like quail do in the south. “To expose the uplands to the world, to capture defining moments, to push our passion and culture forward, to bring our community closer, to make us feel. So, you can only go with the steel shot. I enjoy early-season pheasant hunting with the 28 gauge and the Improved Cylinder and Modified chokes of the AyA make it a better choice for that. Any shotgun can bag quail, but lighter and faster is always better. K. Dear K, Partridge? Quail are fairly fragile birds, so shooting #6 or #8 have been proven effective, but, being honest…stick to the 6. If Prince Bob gives Pup a half-a-time-a-day,you should have within a 20 to 40 yard shot on a flushing bird. LM opens up relatively fast for quail, yet provides enough pattern density to drop birds at medium yardages. Like anything in shot gunning there are no clear cut answers to your question, the simple answer is that it depends. I agree with the author that quail are a fragile bird. In nontoxic zones, Kent’s Upland Fasteel No. 1 Ground Ambush Tip: Break Up Your Silhouette, The Best Shotguns, Chokes And Loads For Hunting Quail. Configuring your shot size, pattern, choke and barrel length as well as studying the habits of the birds themselves all come together to make a complete and successful hunting experience. It is also important to be selective about the right choke. Durrell Smith is a 28 year old Georgia native, visual artist, wing shooter, and dog handler. My dog tends to do a little more work with the #7.5 shot as birds, yes,little 6 ounce Bobwhites, seem to run off. I’m biased because they are a size that’s been proven time and again. Stick with, say, LM in your repeater and use a spreader load to widen patterns as needed. O/U. I’m fairly split on the #6 vs #7.5 loads. If you don’t want the hassle of worrying about chokes, simplify your life and carry a few spreader loads in your vest pocket. Modified is also a good all-around choice for pheasants, especially if hunting over flushing dogs, like Labs, where shots are a little longer. Our site uses cookies. I think there may be some kind of jinx with me and #7.5s, but regardless, I do not recommend them for quail. A 28-gauge hull holds 5/8 ounce of No. However, in many parts of the Midwest and Great Plains, bobwhites are often bagged as incidental takes by pheasant hunters. Because the gun is a nice piece and I can trust that my #6 shot Kent Cartridge loads will consistently drop the explosive, bobwhite quail. For quail, I recommend an open or skeet choke. It also needs considerably more choke with the lighter 1/2oz load, or alternatively, a 3inch shell with a magnum hunting load of 11/16oz, or even 3/4oz of shot. Lightweight, soft-shooting gas guns include Browning’s 12-gauge Maxus, which weighs around 7 pounds, and Beretta’s A400 Xplor Action line, available in 12- (6.7 pounds), 20- (6 pounds), and 28-gauge (5 1/2 pounds). Doubles provide a two-choke advantage, which can be a real asset when hunting quail over pointers. Just be sure and pattern you gun to see what gives you the best pattern at different ranges. If they were really running/flushing wild, a guy might try LM or MOD, possibly even with 5's if available in gauge. The first shot might be ultra-close and the second at medium range. One shotgun can take any bird from a 2-ounce rail to a 25-pound tundra swan if you choose the right ammunition. I like 12-gauges to weigh around 6 ½ pounds, and sub-gauges, like the 20 or even 28, a pound less. My guns were made before steel was required. ©2020 Northwoods Collective. Because you are chasing  Mr. Bob. Leading the spreader load pack is Polywad’s extensive Spred-R line, offered in 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge, all of which are effective on quail. 100 percent agree especially since I dont use dogs I prefer the heavier loads. I personally own one of each, and at around 5 ½ pounds, they are a delight to carry and are lightning fast on wild bobwhites. Upland Bird and Small Game Hunting Typically most upland bird hunting is done with the more open choke constrictions. Spreader loads are designed to disperse very quickly and can usually open up patterns one or two choke sizes without necessitating a choke swap. I personally just don’t want lead in my meat but that part is really up to you. All rights reserved. Well, all the Remington rem choke shotguns are supported. Really enjoy your website. |, Minnesota Angler Catches Two Massive Muskies Nearly Back to Back, Deer Hunting’s No. Much of a man’s quail shooting ineptitude comes not from selecting the wrong shot size, but from the hunter’s irreverence to the ethics of hunting. When choosing a choke for quail, more open is usually better. If you’re one of the wise waterfowlers who has discovered this affordable autoloader, you’re in luck, because it makes a nice upland gun, too. Quail hunting isn’t too gear intensive. Still, if you insist, I would choke that 410 SxS skeet and full. Still, the shotgun and loads you choose to use will be instrumental to your success. © 2021 Grand View Outdoors All Rights Reserved 20-40: no. An upland shotgun is an ideal gun for hunting upland game like pheasants, quail, chukar, and others. Why? What follows is a list of shotguns, chokes and loads that are suitable not only for quail, but also larger upland birds, if necessary. A good deal of my experience comes from 55+ years of hunting quail and pheasants, mostly in Illinois, but more recently in … At that range, an open choke is essential. Why? Everything said about the A5 could also apply to the Ethos, plus its Progressive Comfort system helps manage recoil. If you want more options you’ve got the choice of #8’s as well, I often skip over #7.5’s simply because every time I shoot them birds never seem to fall dead on. “Each of them has a unique way to look at patterns and performance. Bismuth is between lead and steel. I've used 5's or 6's with the modified choke on my 12 ga. which is the gun I use for everything. The best lead shot upland choke I’ve tried is Muller’s U2 (LM), although the more open U1 (skeet) also works well on quail. Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. I have not been quail hunting in over 50 years and then didn't have change out chokes. Make sure your gun has interchangeable chokes that are thick enough to withstand the blast from the ammo. Among Browning’s many BPS offerings is the 16-gauge Upland Special. For sake of length, I will conclude because I’ve got a knack for talking shotguns to great length. 5s or Environ-Metal’s new Hevi-Game with 1 1/8 ounces of lead 6s, have also proven quite effective on both midrange quail and pheasants. I have no way of knowing exactly what the latest Kent Bismuth shells will sell for, but I'll guess somewhere around $2.50 a shell, similar to premium steel loads but safe for lead-only barrels and chokes, and with a drastic increase in performance. The ideal shotgun for quail hunting is light and fast-pointing, but big enough to handle the occasional flushing pheasant or chukar if that's an option where you hunt. load shotshell; early-season pheasants: 12: i.c./mod. There’s no time for tea, but…I digress. Stevens 555 provides an affordable alternative, and at only 6.15 pounds with 28-inch barrels, it is one of the lightest 12-gauge over/unders available. If screw-in chokes are an option, try a more forgiving match, like skeet and light modified. DKScott EWB. Bobwhite quail - IC 6 - I've not hunted valley or desert quail in decades, nor with steel. If I was shooting steel I would probably try a higher velocity load with #4 shot and use an IC or Modified choke depending on how you are hunting. Browning’s new A5 is the perfect example of a lightweight 12-gauge. That’s like asking which BB gun is most effective against lions. The ideal range for this choke constriction is 15 to 25 yards. Whether you choose a 20 or a 28, the only gauges offered, it doesn’t matter — both work equally well on quail. When I walk out into the uplands with a 30-inch barrel, I have a bad habit of slinging my gun over my shoulder a little too confidently. Plus, 20-gauge and new 28-gauge and .410 models are also offered, all under 5 ½ pounds. 7s, and Kent’s Velocity with 1 1/8 ounces of No. As with any other type of shotgun hunting, the choke you want to use depends on your shooting conditions and how that specific choke patterns the shell you want to use. Gun mounts must be fast and shots snappy if there’s to be any hope of connecting. If you are looking to perfect your shotgun pattern, do some research and go with the one that best fits your hunting style and preferences.”

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