Can I get some hunting tips please?

[NStone23]

I am trying to get into hunting bird game and I was wondering what gauge of shotgun, brand, and model I would need for a bird like ring neck grouse. Looking to spend less than 200 for the shotgun.

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[Andy54Hawken]

I am not sure what a ring neck grouse is...
But I do enjoy hunting both Ruffed Grouse and Spruce Grouse.

I use both 20 and 12 gauge shotguns
In Flintlock , pump and single shot break open styles of action.
I also prefer a more open choke , like Modified or Improved Cylinder.
#7 1/2 and #6 shot seem to work the best with my guns.
2 3/4 size shells also work nicely...you won't need a 3 inch or magnum shell to get a Grouse.

As far as brand , model and a gauge...
You need to find what works for you and how you hunt....
Which means looking at lots of different shotguns and if possible trying them out.
And to be blunt here...with $200 you can find a shotgun...but your choices will be very limited.

Grouse hunting involves lots of walking and usually quick shots at a smallish , fast , bird that can switch flight direction in a moment.
So I like a gun that carries well and "Points" quickly when I shoulder it.
Andy

 

[Roundball58]

I would suggest taking a hunter safety course as your first step as well as an ODFW "how to" class. Learn to Hunt - Pheasant Hunting Workshop - Sauvie Island | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. It will answer a lot of questions.

 

[Stomper]

First rule of bird hunting.... don't go with Dick Cheney!!




OK, that's not helping....

 

[NStone23]

I am not sure what a ring neck grouse is...
But I do enjoy hunting both Ruffed Grouse and Spruce Grouse.

I use both 20 and 12 gauge shotguns
In Flintlock , pump and single shot break open styles of action.
I also prefer a more open choke , like Modified or Improved Cylinder.
#7 1/2 and #6 shot seem to work the best with my guns.
2 3/4 size shells also work nicely...you won't need a 3 inch or magnum shell to get a Grouse.

As far as brand , model and a gauge...
You need to find what works for you and how you hunt....
Which means looking at lots of different shotguns and if possible trying them out.
And to be blunt here...with $200 you can find a shotgun...but your choices will be very limited.

Grouse hunting involves lots of walking and usually quick shots at a smallish , fast , bird that can switch flight direction in a moment.
So I like a gun that carries well and "Points" quickly when I shoulder it.
Andy

Thank you very much so you mean a shorter barreled gun?

 

[uberguy]

20 gauge is probably easier on the birds and you but either 12 or 20 will do. As was mentioned, $200 isn't going to go very far, but there are a few choices.

At that price range, you're looking at a pump, semi-autos cost more.

Might want to check out Mossberg Maverick 88 or Charles Daily, both around $200.

Pump Action Shotgun & Slide Action Shotgun

Pump action shotgun are classic choices for everything from home defense to hunting. We carry all the best from top brands like Remington and Mossberg.

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[Andy54Hawken]

Thank you very much so you mean a shorter barreled gun?

You are welcome.
Barrel choice is very subjective and personal.

I have three Remington Wingmasters , two have 28 inch barrels and one has a 18 inch barrel.
All three handle nicely and "swing" and "point" well , for me.

I have two single shot break open shotguns...
One with a 28 inch barrel and one with a 26 inch barrel
Both work well.
These feel and handle differently than my three Wingmasters due to a short receiver and lighter weight.
The short receiver of a single shot shotgun , makes for a shorter overall length , even if the gun has a long barrel.

My flintlock has a 40 inch barrel...but due to its balance and lack of a receiver , like a modern gun...it is fast and easy to carry and shoot.

A shorter barreled gun is usually preferred for upland game...but again , you need to find what carries and shoots well for you.

Shotgun shooting is extremely personal in style.
The gun must fit you ...as in how it carries and is shouldered and fired...
Each shotgun will pattern differently with different loads of shot , even the same size of shot , by a different maker , may pattern differently.
Andy

 

[Stomper]

If you're looking to blast an entire covey that you may flush from the brush, a semi-auto would do you well....

My Weatherby SA-08 with 26" barrel... it runs on heavy loads (referred to as "high base" loads) usually for heartier waterfowl species, and lower powered loads (referred to as "low base" loads) used for more delicate upland game birds and target clays.


It's a veritable "duck slayer", and I wouldn't hesitate to take it out for upland bird hunting.

 

[Gunnerboy]

Look for a side by side 16 ga...best of both worlds and generally on a smaller frame gun that swings quickly

 

[Hop Sing]

Like motorcycles and bicycles your first shotgun is going to be a learning platform, and maybe later on you can go on to other brands or styles once you find out exactly what it is that you want your gun to do. As with motorcycles and bicycles I feel it's better to find a good used one than a crappy new one, and trust me if you hunt with it it WILL get beat up so figure on that.

With shotgunning nothing succeeds like practice so if there is a place near you to shoot clays, that's a bonus.

One last thing. Make sure your gun is empty and you are in a safe location, focus on something, close your eyes and snap the gun to your shoulder,. When you open your eyes it should be aimed at whatever it was that you were focusing on. If so, the gun fits; if not, find another gun.

 

[Hop Sing]

Just checked shotgun ads and there are two perfect candidates, a Remington 870 and a Stoeger Condor over under.

 

[EPS]

I am not sure what a ring neck grouse is...
But I do enjoy hunting both Ruffed Grouse and Spruce Grouse.

I use both 20 and 12 gauge shotguns
In Flintlock , pump and single shot break open styles of action.
I also prefer a more open choke , like Modified or Improved Cylinder.
#7 1/2 and #6 shot seem to work the best with my guns.
2 3/4 size shells also work nicely...you won't need a 3 inch or magnum shell to get a Grouse.

As far as brand , model and a gauge...
You need to find what works for you and how you hunt....
Which means looking at lots of different shotguns and if possible trying them out.
And to be blunt here...with $200 you can find a shotgun...but your choices will be very limited.

Grouse hunting involves lots of walking and usually quick shots at a smallish , fast , bird that can switch flight direction in a moment.
So I like a gun that carries well and "Points" quickly when I shoulder it.
Andy

Ring neck would be a dove .
But if you want a easy to use gun or Gage
That is used in lots and lots of bird hunting.
20ga is your gun .
As for the 200 dollar range.
Look for used pump guns in 20ga.

 

[EPS]

I have three 12 ga guns and one 20ga
My sister has a 16 ga and I have shot all of them.
Of course! The 12 ga the ammo is easier to find.
20ga is easy to find also.
But 12 ga is more versatile.
You can find light loads to heavy loads.
Depends on what you want to hunt.
A good Rem 870 in 12ga will cover you for almost every thing.
I bought my used at a pawn shop for 300 bucks.
10 years ago.
And it still works.

 

[EPS]

Ok I did a little bit of research.
But I am sure if you look around.
You can find these guns cheaper.on the used market.

 

[EPS]

The stoger 3020 I put in there because I have one.
Simi auto 20 ga.
The MOSSBERG MAVERICK .
IS PROBABLY THE CHEAPEST YOU WILL FIND.
that is ACTUALLY A REALLY GOOD GUN.
it comes in 12ga and 20 ga