New 12ga O/U under $1000, anything worthwhile?

[BOBGBA]

Did you ever hear of a shell catcher for a semi?

I've never seen a shell catcher used while hunting. I've only seen a shell catcher used on the trap field for singles, so I'll ask the following.
When using a shell catcher on a semi-auto, what happens if you fire 3 rounds in immediate succession?

[RayPDA]

I've never seen a shell catcher used while hunting. I've only seen a shell catcher used on the trap field for singles, so I'll ask the following.
When using a shell catcher on a semi-auto, what happens if you fire 3 rounds in immediate succession?

[BOBGBA]

That's what I thought.

So, in my mind a shell catcher isn't really a viable option for a bird hunter using a semi-auto. Unless you don't want to shoot two or more birds in the same flight or take a follow up shot.

[deckhandmike]

Yeah, my biggest issue is the spent shells. I hunt private property and lost shells are a no no. It’s a major pain to keep track of your shells and which way the quail are running.

[Ducky's Dad]

Bringing them back to the vehicle only to trash them is a shame.

That's what you are supposed to do if you don't reload. Leave the area cleaner than you found it.

[tanks]

I was talking to a friend of mine in Georgia. At their private quail hunts if someone shows up with a semi-automatic or a 12 gauge they are escorted out and never invited back.

[md2020]

That's what you are supposed to do if you don't reload. Leave the area cleaner than you found it.

This ^^^^

[Chewy65]

I've never seen a shell catcher used while hunting. I've only seen a shell catcher used on the trap field for singles, so I'll ask the following.
When using a shell catcher on a semi-auto, what happens if you fire 3 rounds in immediate succession?

I wondered how long it would take for someone to figure that out. There are catchers with nets for ARs and AKs, but I haven't seen one for shotguns

[BOBGBA]

We hunt private land and it's not uncommon for us to pick up 20 to 40 hulls a day, that we find along the way. Some hulls have been out there for a long time and some haven't.

More often than not, it's 3 hulls right next to each other in multiple places.

[deckhandmike]

I was talking to a friend of mine in Georgia. At their private quail hunts if someone shows up with a semi-automatic or a 12 gauge they are escorted out and never invited back.

Yeah, I use a pump right now so it’s not terrible to keep track but I’m switching to a over under to be more efficient. With the steel requirements do you still think 12 gauge is overkill? It’s so much less efficient. Kinda want a 12 gauge for the versatility.

[smittty]

I sold off my 12's a few years ago and happy to own only 20 gauges. I won't own a 12 again!

I prefer o/u but for hunting I think a semi-auto is a lot more efficient. Holds 3, faster to reload, etc. My kids prefer them over anything else.

But a break action o/u is just much more elegant!

[deckhandmike]

How are the 20’s with steel? I’m barely happy with my 12 with steel.

[tanks]

...

But a break action o/u SxS is just much more elegant!

FIFY

[BOBGBA]

I was talking to a friend of mine in Georgia. At their private quail hunts if someone shows up with a semi-automatic or a 12 gauge they are escorted out and never invited back.

When you hunt a private club over pointing dogs using lead, the sub gauges are sufficient.
I would guess the participants in those private quail hunts are probably a little more well to do than the average hunter and have the resources to shoot enough practice to become quite proficient with the gauges they choose to use.

Change that scenario to hunting birds in California on public land without dogs using steel and it's a different story. The birds here get a lot pf pressure. It can still be done. It's just not as easy as it is on private land.

Either should do, but you need to become proficient with whichever gun you choose, which means practice, practice, practice.

I typically use steel on the first shot and bismuth (sometimes hevi-shot) on the second shot.
If the birds are close to being out of the effective range for steel, I'll switch to shooting only bismuth and/or hevishot.

[Killer Bee]

I ordered this Huglu in person from a gun shop in Antalya..

made a lot of friends there, awesome people, even invited to several personal dinners in their homes..

copious amounts of Turkish tea and it was delivered on the back of a bicycle

I think it was under $500 local but I'm sure that was the wealthy American price LoL

I'm very pleased with it, hand engraved and fit / finish is above my standards..

it points and shoots great although only killed a lot clays with it, not been to the field yet..

I would buy another one here if I was in the market and the price was right..





store owner's business cards



import papers for the auto (scanned from a previous thread)