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

I have two guns and they're the only ones I've ever had. I use one for upland and the other for turkey.
 
i will switch guns around thanksgiving when i hit my shooting slump. i think this is due to changing my layering system due colder weather.
then I keep shooting until I get my "mojo" back
none of my guns are custom made and all have about same LOP. There may be some difference in drop or thickness of the stock. I really don't have time or desire to get custom fitted, although i do believe that would help.
i have tried add ons to my stock but without great improvement.
Confidence is key, Losing confidence requires a change-- even if the change is not the cause of improvement.
 
Might switch from S/S to O/U, always 20ga. IC/Mod or Mod/IM. Blessed to have options. Never switch waterfowling, always 12ga. Mod
 
The friend I hunt with in ND has a Benelli SBE he bought new the year they came out. Over time, that thing looks like it fell in the swamp for a couple years and then recovered. I tried to clean it once years ago, but needed a vise-grip to turn the magazine cap due to severe rusting. I'm sure there has never been a patch or brush run down that barrel. Although he complains of occasional misfires (what a shock) he still uses it, and is one of the best shots I've seen in the field.
 
I primarily upland hunt with two old, cheap shotguns.

I have a 16 gauge Stevens 5100 SxS and a 12 gauge Winchester Model 59 semi-auto with a fiberglass barrel. I keep two upland vests, one all orange with 16 gauge ammunition and one tan with orange patches with 12 gauge ammunition.

I use the 16 gauge with #4 & #3 steel shot primarily in the early season and when firearm deer seasons are open as an orange vest and hat are required in Minnesota.

I like the semi-auto for late season hunts, especially in high winds as I use larger shot (#3 & #2 steel) and the 12 gauge provides a larger payload than the 16.
 
Got an old 1905 Fox with just the sweetest wrist repair in brass plates and screws. You can’t even feel it. Bought it for a song on gunbroker. Sent it to JJ Perrodeau in OK. All was well and he marveled at the repair. Sometimes late at night she whispers tales of gore and we have to roam the game fields once again. Doesn’t matter where we’re at or who’s carrying what gun. They all want to handle Ole Kill All.
 
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I like to use as few as possible but I’m not a collector in the sense that I don’t buy guns to look at. If I buy one, I intend to shoot it and I like to make memories with my guns. I can pick one up and relive a hunt and think about the shots I took with a particular gun. So if I get a new gun before season, it always goes with me as my backup. I will use it on at least one half day walk to make memories. However, this season my backup became my primary. I wasn’t confident with my new A5 so I switched to the Marlin Model 90 that I brought as a backup. Hadn’t hunted any with the Marlin. Turns out it was a pheasant buster and I ended up just using it all 3 days. I thought about switching back but my BIL told me I would be crazy to switch since I was shooting the Marlin well, so I didn’t.
 
Years ago i shot minimum of 400 rounds a week up to 1500 rounds for prob 15 years straight. Id shoot sporting clays couple times a week too.
In 2017 I had a brain tumor that screwed my dominant eye up so Im not as good as I once was but Ive got it and I understand wingshooting. That being said I almost always hunt with a 28 Citori. Sometimes a 28 or 20 Silver Pigeon and Ive just gotten a 20 white lightning. That 28 is my main gun but no matter which gun I plan to use it gets mounted and remounted. Swung, tracked, etc. I never have an issue no matter the gun. I may pick one for any old reason but the result is still the same. Practice the mount and swing guys. Ive done this for over 40 years. It works.
 
Keep'er Movin said:
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?
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I stick with one gun, the one that gives
Me the most confidence. I always have a backup though. My backup is an 870. Infallible gun.
 
I’ll start with one but will change if I run into a slump. Might change the chokes first and then the gun. Confidence is important.
 
LCR10A said:
I’ll start with one but will change if I run into a slump. Might change the chokes first and then the gun. Confidence is important.
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Buddy if I could???
It’s not the gun that put you into a slump. It’s the shooter. Changing guns would only help your mentality which is absolutely important. I teach once someone understands mechanics, it’s mostly mental.
That being said it could also be an equipment issue. Choked too tight for instance or not enough if the shots were further. Idk what type shot you use but understand cheap lead has low anitomy and has more flyers resulting in ragged patterns.
A buddy of mine always does that. Change guns shells, etc figuring it’ll change his “luck”. Try to figure why you’re missing and as I said last post. Practice dry mounting, swinging gun, it pays giant dividends. Not one really top shooter does dry fire practice with a pistol, dry mount/swing with a shotgun, use a string bow for archery.
 
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