Switch guns throughout the season or stick with one primary firearm? How do you determine which one to take?

[Keep'er Movin]

During your typical season for pheasants, do you guys tend to hunt with one firearm or do you switch it up throughout the season and hunt with multiple brands/makes/models/gauges? If you do switch it up, has it made a difference in your success rate (birds in the bag, number of cripples, etc.)? How do you determine which gun to take with you?

 

[matto]

Only one for me, but I bring a backup on overnight trips.

 

[LC Smith]

I have been known to switch mid-day. When I make my regular trips to KS and SD, I usually bring three guns and hunt all three, sometimes two in a day. They are three different sizes and gauges. Two of them are SxS, but one is a London built 12ga with straight stock and one is a little CZ 28ga. The third gun is a Browning 16ga OU. My biggest hurdle is when switching to the OU just because of how differently it fits/points vs. the SxS. Once I focus on what I am holding, and realize how differently I need to shoot, I am usually okay. This year I found myself shooting the 28ga and 16ga more, but I love the 12ga and it is my absolute favorite gun I own. That little 28ga is really starting to take over for me...

 

[benelli-banger]

Less switching this season than usual…mostly my benelli 12 gauge ultralight, carried a few 28 gauges as well…did well with my red label 28. Past seasons I jump around between 4-6 doubles, 12,16, 20, 28…mostly S x S’s, some O/U…the one that buggers up my shooting is a beretta AL391 auto 20 gauge…forward safety.,.costs me birds! The doubles are guns I shoot pretty well and the safety’s are uniform. Tend to shoot the auto(s) when I’m with a group, usually trying to put #’s on the board.

 

[westksbowhunter]

I might use 1/2 dozen different guns a season. Depends on weather and many other factors. If it's damp or snowing I'm using my synthetics. If I'm shooting where I know shots are long I'm carrying a 12. If I'm walking long distances, one of the 20's. Most of the time I'm carrying a 20.

 

[CRP]

Back in high school, I shot trap in an Izaak Walton league. I used my 870 20 ga. because it was also my hunting gun, and all I could afford. Of course, with all of the different guns in the club rack, it was only natural to try as many as possible looking for that "perfect" one. One of the best older shooters told me one day to just find one you shoot well, and QUIT looking for something else. Although he drove a Caddy, and shot new AA's, he shot an 870 TB instead of Krieghoff's or Perazzi's, because that was his money gun. While that advise was good both then and now, it is fun to use different guns if you have them. I've learned to take a backup gun on trips because that is smart. As long as the guns used fit properly, and you can shoot them well, go for it. Because, no matter what gun you have in your hand, if you're on you're on, and if you're not, you're not.