USA: Grouse Hunting With My Son & A Double

[Carson]

Usually when people post about hunting with doubles on this site, it's for dangerous game. I've wanted a side by side shotgun for several years. Last week I bought a nice looking AYA side by side 12 gauge. I needed to break it in so I took my son grouse hunting yesterday. We got one grouse 5 minutes into our hike and bagged it. 30 or 40 minutes later we had filled our limit!

The new (to me) shotgun worked great. The weather was beautiful and the fall colors were impressive. It was a day to be remembered for my son and me. He couldn't stop talking about how awesome it all was.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Wow! That is a great day afield. I’m sure your son will never forget it

 

[MontanaPat]

Looks like a great time

 

[BC.Pat]

I do a fair bit of grouse hunting here on Vancouver island with some youngsters. You might want to keep your eye for a SxS 20 , my empierce is a twelve tears up bird a bit too much for my liking. And when you son gets older it is a nice place to start him with light loads.
Cheers
Pat

 

[Rare Breed]

I know just what you mean!!! I just got a Beretta Silver Hawk SxS 12 gauge that shoots like a dream!!!

 

[WyoBull]

That’s awesome! I grew up shooting my dad’s double.

 

[Carson]

I do a fair bit of grouse hunting here on Vancouver island with some youngsters. You might want to keep your eye for a SxS 20 , my empierce is a twelve tears up bird a bit too much for my liking. And when you son gets older it is a nice place to start him with light loads.
Cheers
Pat

Yup, I've already got my eyes peeled for a side by side 20 or 28 gauge for my boys to shoot. I thought my kids had to be 12 to start hunting, but apparently they can upland bird hunt at any age. So we're gonna get them setup.

 

[HankBuck]

I do a fair bit of grouse hunting here on Vancouver island with some youngsters. You might want to keep your eye for a SxS 20 , my empierce is a twelve tears up bird a bit too much for my liking. And when you son gets older it is a nice place to start him with light loads.
Cheers
Pat

@BC Pat - I know what you mean about a 12ga for Upland birds (bigger then needed) but just switching to simple 12ga target loads ie: 1oz of #8s at 1180 fps solves any problems…and you can also get 7/8s oz loads for a 12 ga. While I like my 20 ga & 16 ga —- I think the 12ga is the most versatile and offers a wide range of loads from 2 1/2” 7/8s oz up to 3 1/2” 2 1/4oz “jaw breakers”. What i really like best about the 20 ga is the smaller and lighter shells — take up less room in your pockets

 

[Altitude sickness]

My 20 gauge grouse gun actually patterns better than the 12 I bought for grouse.

So I use the 20 and it’s plenty.

 

[WyoBull]

I have shot a 28 gauge semiautomatic (Benelli Legacy 28) for quite a few years and use it for everything up to and including Canada geese over decoys.
I cannot tell you the last time I hunted with my Beretta Xtrema 12 gauge semiautomatic.
The 28 is getting more and more popular so shel prices are coming down some. They are a pure joy to shoot, and carry in the field.

 

[HankBuck]

I have shot a 28 gauge semiautomatic (Benelli Legacy 28) for quite a few years and use it for everything up to and including Canada geese over decoys.
I cannot tell you the last time I hunted with my Beretta Xtrema 12 gauge semiautomatic.
The 28 is getting more and more popular so shel prices are coming down some. They are a pure joy to shoot, and carry in the field.

@WyoBull: How do you like that Benelli in 28 ga? I’ve looked at them for a few years and super lightweight ——like a feather, almost too light. I think they would make a great first gun for a small kid or Woman starting out shooting skeet etc.. Benelli makes a quality shotgun and their semi autos operate flawlessly plus “simple” to take apart & clean.
Regarding 28 ga shell prices coming down ?? Where are you shopping? Only .410 shells sell for more and $140 a case of “target ammo” for 28 ga is a good price vs $80-$95 a case for some 12 ga or 20 ga “target ammo”. Also, fewer manufacturers even offer 28 ga shells where as they ALL make 12 ga and most offer 20 ga. Then if you want any shot but lead - steel, non toxic etc… - price goes way up and availability remains more limited then 12/20 ga. I like the 28 ga - my Son reloads and shoots a lot of it on game and clays but THE PRICE IS NEVER COMING DOWN because much fewer 28 & .410 shells are made.
The good thing is that if you buy a 28 ga - BUY the Best-one-made because the cost of the gun is the “cheapest” part of owning one….shooting it will make you poor!!

 

[WyoBull]

@WyoBull: How do you like that Benelli in 28 ga? I’ve looked at them for a few years and super lightweight ——like a feather, almost too light. I think they would make a great first gun for a small kid or Woman starting out shooting skeet etc.. Benelli makes a quality shotgun and their semi autos operate flawlessly plus “simple” to take apart & clean.
Regarding 28 ga shell prices coming down ?? Where are you shopping? Only .410 shells sell for more and $140 a case of “target ammo” for 28 ga is a good price vs $80-$95 a case for some 12 ga or 20 ga “target ammo”. Also, fewer manufacturers even offer 28 ga shells where as they ALL make 12 ga and most offer 20 ga. Then if you want any shot but lead - steel, non toxic etc… - price goes way up and availability remains more limited then 12/20 ga. I like the 28 ga - my Son reloads and shoots a lot of it on game and clays but THE PRICE IS NEVER COMING DOWN because much fewer 28 & .410 shells are made.
The good thing is that if you buy a 28 ga - BUY the Best-one-made because the cost of the gun is the “cheapest” part of owning one….shooting it will make you poor!!

@HankBuck, I love the Benelli Legacy 28. They do not make this model anymore but do make it in the Ultralight model. I believe it is the same gun just does not have the silver engraved receiver like mine has. At one time it was the lightest semiautomatic on the market but am not sure if that is still the same.
I do know that Beretta and other manufacturers are offering the 28 in a semiautomatic today and they are very nice as well. When I got mine that was the only one on the market.
You do have to get used to the lighter weight and how it swings through on birds but I am used to it.
Regarding shells, they are definitely not cheaper than 12 or 20 gauge but my point was since I started shooting the 28, they have come down in price as it has become more popular. You are correct in saying they will probably never be at the same level as the 12 or 20 gauge prices.

 

[MontanaPat]

I have a Benelli Montefeltro in 28 gauge that shoots great, very light and swings smoothly. I bought my wife a CZ Bobwhite SxS in 28 gauge that I shoot more than she does, it’s a great little grouse gun here in MT and would do well for a young person, very light and easy to shoot

 

[Ridge Runner]

My first 28 gauge was O/U. That was about 20 years ago. Ammo was hard to find back then and not much cheaper than .410 ammo. A few years later I sold it, regrettably. About 6 years ago purchased a nice 28 automatic and plenty of ammo on the shelf.

My excuse for getting it is for my buddy's grandson to use when we go dove and squirrel hunting. I found that little shotgun is not only light and easy to carry, it's also fun to hunt with. As for my buddy's grandson, he likes it over the single shot 410 his dad got him, but the 410 is his and his dad gave it to him so the 410 wins,.. overall.

Now if I good only find some quail, grouse, and woodcock in around my area to hunt. I think the 28 gauge would really prove its value as a bird gun.