Which gun is best for Quail hunting?

IRONWIREgwp

IRONWIREgwp

New member
So I have the privilege of inheriting some guns from my uncle. I am getting a Winchester 21 12ga that is is in great shape and have my choice of one one of two Winchester 101 O/U 20ga. One is choked Mod/Imp and the other is Skeet/Skeet. I am hoping to use the 101 as a Quail gun and for my wife to shoot trap with (she doesn't shoot often but I thought a 20ga would be easier for her to handle). So which choke configuration would be better for quail hunting?

Thanks!
 
There again your question is one of personal choice. With those guns, I would use the 101 with SK/SK. I like 7.5 shot with those chokes on Quail. That shot I feel will penetrate the feathers better...........Bob
 
Thanks! I have never Quail hunted before and only own 12ga shotguns that I pheasant hunt with. Quail is something that sounds fun to get out and try and since I have the chance to get a nice gun that will have sentimental meaning to me I want to get a gun I can use. Your advise helps as I have no idea on range of shots when hunting quail. Both guns are in perfect shape so I am having the hardest time deciding and it comes down to which choke would be best. Thanks for your advise.
 
For Bobwites, Light weight, short barrels, the ticket. If your shooting just quail, 8's or even 9's low velocity are fine. In mixed bag country or late season 7.5 are a good compromise. Lots of quail guns from the past are amputated beyond any choke at all, 20"-24" cylinder bore. I have used imp cyl., sk1,sk2, mod., all with fine success. Use the gun you shoot best.
 
IRONWIREgwp said:
I am hoping to use the 101 as a Quail gun and for my wife to shoot trap with (she doesn't shoot often but I thought a 20ga would be easier for her to handle). So which choke configuration would be better for quail hunting?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The SK/SK would no doubt be the best for quail. But for shooting trap neither the SK/SK or the IC/Mod is ideal. And if you are going to be shooting a mixed bag of pheasant and quail then perhaps the IC/Mod would be a better choice. Guess it depends on what you are going to use the gun for the most. Not sure if you could have tubes installed but that might be an option. However, it may devalue a 101. Yours is a nice problem to have. :)
 
My wife only shoots trap 2-3 times a year so that is kind of a secondary use. She won a Beneli Nova last year at the PF banquet that she struggles to shoot because it is too big for her. I thought the 101 would be easier for her to handle for the few times she goes out. She can't get any worse, last round of trap she shot 3 of 25 but she still had fun.

The 101 is in excellent shape and I don't think I would want to put tubes on it. I am leaning towards the skeet/skeet gun. There is also an Ithica SKB 600 Mod/Imp that my ant wants me to look at. She said it was one of my uncles favorite guns. More choices are making it hard for me to choose.

Maybe I will have to see if she will let me take them to the range and see which one I shoot best. I have never hunted Quail so I am not sure on what the usual shot distance is. What shooting game most closely resembles quail hunting? I usually shoot trap as I find it similar to pheasant hunting with pointing dogs.
 
Last edited:
The Ithaca/SKB 600 is one fine shotgun. I think you are right in taking them to the range and shooting them to see which you like best.

If you want something that would more closely resemble quail shooting I would suggest finding a skeet range or sporting clays, or both. They are both a lot more fun and more of a challenge than trap.
 
It looks like I won't be able to take them to the range and shoot them as I just found out she is leaving on Tuesday to go to her daughters who get's the rest of the guns. So I will have to decide which gun is best with out shooting them. I just picked up the SKB to clean it (all of the guns have been stored in a closet in vinyl cases and all have been filthy). The SKB feels lighter to me than the 101's and is definitely fancier. The SKB shows a little bit more wear than the 101's.

I have my grandfathers Winchester Model 12 12ga, Model 12 20g (2" shells), and just inherited my uncles Winchester Model 21 that is in incredible condition. I am think I am leaning towards the Winchester 101 in Skeet/Skeet to add to my collection of Winchesters and this gun will be used mainly for quail.

I thank everyone for their help.

It is hard enough to decide which gun I want to buy when I am in the market for a gun but when they have sentimental value I find it even harder to decide. I want to get a gun that I will use and add to the memories I have of the guns and my family.
 
Purely for quail, I'd opt for the SK/SK; Imp & Mod would be a better "all-arounder."
 
Hey Ironwire,
I'm just up the street in Aurora near Parker Rd. and Hampden and belong to Quail Run in Elizabeth. Once you make up your mind I'd be happy to take you out there and you can shoot sporting clays, skeet, or trap. The Win 101 and the SKB 600 are both fine guns, we've had them in the family. I had a 28 GA SKB600 with 28" barrels and SK/SK. I used it once in awhile for doves--quail are pretty sparce in CO--and some skeet. I sold it and bought a Citori 20GA with tubes to give me (and my wife) more chances to use it. I've shot skeet, trap, sporting clays, doves, and pheasants with it. The SKB600 was a prettier gun than the base model Citori that I bought.

Send me a PM if you want to go down there sometime and get the lower "guest" prices with me. I'm always looking for an excuse to go down there.
PairOfLabs
 
my 20 ga A5 has a cly barrel works great, been using it since 1969 first two weeks of season use 9's, then 8's and finally 71/2's
 
I do think the best Quail gun I ever used was an 1100 Remington 28 gauge sporting model. It has choke tubes and I find it does the job very well........Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top