Do you go afield with “hunting” or “nice” shotguns

i own and shoot quite a few shotguns, the most used for small game are remington 870 pumps-1187 semi autos in different gages from 28ga thru 12ga. and a few browning over unders 12ga-20ga and a 20ga double barrle browning sporter. my latest shotgun bought is a merkel 47E 20 ga with factory take down leather case. tho i only have fired the 47E 52 times it has not gone hunting yet, but i will fix that in the next few weeks.
 
For waterfowl I generally use my Benelli.

For everything else it is a wide variety of mostly SxS guns ranging from a cheap AYA to an early Holland Royal. The nicer guns usually get used in the dove field, for clays and nice days. Rough weather and thick brush gets a specific set. My go to quail/pheasant gun is a 1950s Sauer 16 gauge that was like new when I got it and now needs a little finish refresh. I have a early 2000s Beretta Gallery edition 20 gauge that's been to Argentina 3 times and is my tank for high volume shooting along with an early production Model 21.

They all get used but I do pick and choose based on the gun and conditions.
 
I use my Winchester 101 o/u 20ga for everything from dove to , geese
 
I always hunt the nicest gun appropriate to the task. Last duck I killed were with a 16 Grulla 216. CYL CYL!

Now, if it was pissing or salty, Then it’s a plainjane Win M12 or 391.

Last time I froze my ass off in a layup blind, pre-dawn to last legal, I had an AyA 56.

Did the canadas fly? Hell yes! Clouds all around. Overhead.

30 seconds after last legal.
 
Whenever it’s time to go out on a hunt using a shotgun, do you usually take what I think most people would call a gun that is far too nice to use? Maybe like a fox, holland and holland, aya, kreighoff or whatever.
Of course, took my numbered pair of Grulla SxS shotguns to ND a week ago.

I will take my 6 figure Rigby double to Africa next year.

Now, for waterfowl I borrowed a Beretta semi-auto as my SxS were not proofed for Hemi. I am planning to buy a waterfowl gun in the near future. I was impressed with a link that was posted on another thread.
 
Of course you use your nice shotgun.
 

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I use my Perazzi for all my wingshooting.
It is also my competition gun for Olympic Trap/ Double Trap and Universal Trench.
Works like a charm for me.....
 
I will take my 6 figure Rigby double to Africa next year.
Using such a tool as intended will only enhance the experience and your memory of the adventure.
 
The shotguns are nice but not fancy:
Waterfowl: Winchester 21 12ga magnum
upland: Parker VH 16ga 2 9/16
 
All of my current and formerly owned firearms are/were hunting guns. And all are/were used hunting in all kinds of weather and in all types of terrain.

.....Well almost all. I currently have 3 "novelty" firearms that have never been fired. A 45-70 Marlin with full length barrel and tube magazine. Similar to the ones used in the movie Silverado. A BP .31 cal Gentleman's pocket revolver. And a single shot BP .40 cal pocket Derringer. There may be a fourth firearm unfired, a single shot Steven's 12 gauge shotgun that was returned to me after my step-dad's passing away. I had originally given it to him years ago to use inplace of his well worn single shot 12 gauge shotgun.

I take it by "hunting" you mean inexpensive aka cheap guns and "nice" meaning expensive guns relative to one's budget.

Original NIB price was my great granddad's $15 Savage 1911, .22 Short Only, 22 caliber, bolt action, dual tube magazine, rifle that I inherited.

Original NIB priced under $50.00 single shot shotguns: Steven's, H&R, others I can't remember the brand names.

(OK. These prices were...ah humm... just say a while" back)

To what I consider "nice" more expensive $1000.00+ shotguns. I have certain shotguns set up specifically for hunting both woods fowl (grouse, woodcock, turkey,) and waterfowl, and other shotguns that are set up for hunting big game: deer, bear, boar. Depending on the hunting season, whether it's the $50.00 or $1000.00+ shotguns they will sooner or later be out hunting in various types of weather conditions and in various types of terrain. No such thing as a designated open field, dense brush/woods, fair weather, or inclement weather only firearm in my collection.

IMO: All guns are "nice" guns. Some are just nicer than others.

"Nice" (shot)guns designed for hunting are "hunting" (shot)guns that are meant to be used and enjoyed in the field and brush, around the water, and/or in the woods.
 
Ugly old Browning A5 Magnum Twelve does it again. Yesterday three roosters and one Hun for five shots. Today I shot a trifecta (rooster, Hun, sharptail) in as many shots. Required a LOT of walking in rough country. The dogs are done in.
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I really don't see how a fancy shotgun could do better. Every bird fell dead.
 
Nice shooting.
Thanks. The day before I shot a limit of three roosters and one Hun in five shots. It's been windy so not easy shooting. Makes the birds jumpy and hard to hit if they do get up in range.

My advice to anyone who wants to hit uplands with impunity is take up shooting skeet low gun. On station seven I often pull the target with gun under my arm or carried in my left hand to simulate walking into a flushed pheasant. I do shoot station eight high gun but would go low gun ... if I was 53 instead of 73. :D
 
I hunt with all kinds of Shotguns mostly doubles but last year i got the 28 ga bug and bought 4 two OU two semiautos .I hope to shoot rabbits grouse and doves with them.
 
My most expensive shotguns are vintage hammer guns. They are show pieces AND go pieces. I treat them in the field and on the range as I do with my most inexpensive gun; with care. They are tools that must be handled accordingly if you expect them to function when needed.
 

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