Topic: The 28 Gauge and some Quail hunting

[Hannibal Smith]

Got myself a new 28 Gauge Remington 1100 (1970's manufacture) at an estate sale, and decided to try it out at one of my Quail spots.
I normally use an O/U 20 gauge, but decided to try something new.
I have never owned/fired a 28g, so I didn't know what to expect.

Wow! Really fun little thing, patterns fantastic up to 20 something yards, starts to get some holes near 30 though. I patterned No.6 and 8, and decided to go with the 8.
3/4 oz. of shot, and that gets me like 350 or so pellets I figure.
Bagged 4 gorgeous California Quail yesterday on a ridgeline with the snow covered Sierra Mountain range in the distance. What a great day of hunting!
Just had to share. what are your Quail setups?

[my78k]

wonder what he thinks: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=profile;u=220  

That was for some of us old timers!! Hadn't seen Quail on here in forever and was surprised to see he was last on only a month or so ago...

Dennis

[Kong]

The 28 Gage is inherently the best patterning of all shotguns, at least that was said in a book on shotgunning I read back in the 80's.  My experience with them has borne that out.  Here we do not have hunt Quail to any extent worth mentioning, but we have Ruffed Grouse, and they, my dear friend, are the finest creature a bird-hunter is ever likely to encounter in the woods.  My own shotgun is a Browning BSS, side-by-side, 20 Gage, Modified and Improved cylinder on 26" barrels; straight english style stock, oil, not gloss, finish.  Its a single trigger gun with engraving but only gold on the trigger.  Can you guess how much I love my little shotgun?

[jamesb]

i thought i was the only one left in the world who used a 28 gauge. i have a old ithica side by side the 28 gauge was made fun of by people i have been accused of taking my girlfriends gun when hunting but i let them know the proper term would be a gentleman's gun. it is a very sporting way to hunt, also after walking the feilds your arm does not get tired as those with the 12's and 20's. plus it makes you a better shot. we do not have very many quail in my area the turkeys have ran them out. i do hear some in my back yard often. pheasent are really extinct in my area. last time i seen one was about 10 yrs ago and my girlfriends brother shot it. but they are plentyful in western ks.well i'm glad you like your 28 gauge. they are very fun to hunt with.

[gregk]

When we go quail hunting here we just knock them out of the air with a hockey stick.

[ff154]

I wish we still had quail around here.      Last good quail hunt I was on I used my Belgian A-5 "Sweet Sixteen".  I bet that was a hoot for you to get some shooting in with that little 28.  What a joy to carry!

[Hannibal Smith]

I wish we still had quail around here.      Last good quail hunt I was on I used my Belgian A-5 "Sweet Sixteen".  I bet that was a hoot for you to get some shooting in with that little 28.  What a joy to carry!

I thought Texas was crawlin' with them! We have plenty around here outside Santa Barbara, California.

Had them last night. Mixed flour, fresh thyme and ground pepper- dipped the meat in whole milk, then rolled in the flour to a VERY light coat. Heated a skillet medium/hot with grapeseed oil and cooked covered about 17-18 minutes flipping every once in a while. Fantastic! Juicy and tasty, wild shot game is the best.

[bender01]

I have Quail where I hunt. I dont bother to shoot them but when my sons are old enough we will take some. I grew up in New england and Partridge(Ruffed Grouse ) Were fun. I probably only shot two but my Dad could nail em. The sound when they took off is awesome. We had some wood cock too. Thats a weird bird. As rare as the Swallow..

[Brown Bomber]

     Oh how I miss Quail hunting! I was just speaking with an acquaintance tonight about Quail hunting. Never got to shoot a 28 Ga., but I have a Browning O/U Special Skeet in 12 Ga. and the same in .410.
     The 12 Ga. is a bit heavy for a field gun, but a pleasure to shoot, and bagged many a bird with it, including a few Duck.
     I had an English Pointer named Georgia that was almost ready when some life changing decisions had to be made and had to close that chapter, but someday.....

[ff154]

There are still pretty good numbers out West, but I am in East Texas (about 22 miles from LA).  We shoot ducks and dove still, but the fire ants have all but wiped out the quail here.

You sound like you've got your recipe down pat!  Sounds delicious!