Which shotgun for quail hunting ?

[Jesus805]

Looking for a new shotgun to do some quail hunting
Budget is kinda open nothing too crazy$$$$
What do you guys recommend?
12 gauge ? 28” barrel?
Would like a automatic

[Sherpa1]

20 GAUGE WITH A 26 INCH BARREL.. ALOT EASIER TO SWING ON FAST MOVING TARGETS

[The Manager]

I've been using a Ruger Red Label 20 ga with 28 inch barrels for several seasons. Easy to carry and plenty of punch for dove and quail.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

[NATEWA]

Benelli Montefeltro is my favorite 20 gauge. I like the Benelli M2 field.

Then there is the 12 vs 20 debate.

I have a friend that uses a M2 field, 20 gauge for everything except goose hunting. He’s taken dove, ducks, geese and turkeys with his 20.

[boattail]

I ran a 28" 12g but for just quail you cannot beat a good 20g. Most of my quail hunting was done in brush and a shorter lighter gun would have been handy. I could reach out and knock down distant birds but most shots on quail are fairly close. As a kid I used my dads 20g Ithaca pump and was never outdone by the 12g's that were carried by the others.

[Jesus805]

Ok, never thought about a 20 gauge. What brand 20gauge automatic ?

[ysr_racer]

Beretta A300 in 12ga is a great value on a soft shooting gun.

[RayPDA]

[NATEWA]

Beretta A300 in 12ga is a great value on a soft shooting gun.

Agree - I have nothing but positive things to say about my a300 but have been using my Remington V3 recently. The V3 feels lighter and softer shooting to me.

[tankarian]

You'll probably hunt quail in the steep hills, in thick brush. Lots of times these smart buggers stay put in the thick until you pass them, then they take off in the opposite direction you are moving. This is putting the brush or the tree in which they were hiding between your line of fire and them. You only have less than a second to turn, swing and take the shot before they do that. Shots are taken within 5-20 yards, rarely more distant. This is why the shortest, lightest, fastest swinging gun you can find is the best gun.
20 gauge is lighter than 12 gauge, and 26" barrel O/U is shorter than 26" barrel semiauto.

[Jesus805]

^^^ good to know.

[FISHNFRANK]

Turners always has that 20 gauge montefeltro for 999. You won’t find a better gun for quail at any price. I usually use a legacy 20 gauge which is just a more decorated version of the same gun but no better for the task. Get the Benelli you won’t be sorry

[-hanko]

1100 in 20 is, imo, plenty.

I'll sometimes switch to a Browning pump with an English stock...24" barrel iirc.

[Bull Elk]

Ok, never thought about a 20 gauge. What brand 20gauge automatic ?

A 20 gauge would have been my first choice.

[elk hunter]

Mod 12 Winchester 16 ga