HI Everyone,
I have not posted in quite a while. I agree with much of what Stan said on page 1. That said I do have a few disagreements. First off my favorite guage is a properly sized and weighted 16 ga, almost always a continental offering. I most often hunt Ruffed Grouse and released pheasant. When carrying all day long often on my hands and knees, a gun much over 6 lbs is just too much, I need to be quick after 3,4 or more hours in the field. If I am using one of my 12's that weigh 7.5 to 9.5lbs I just will not be as effective. That said I cant argue with a nice light 12 (6.5lb area I have a beautiful grade 4 Ithica 1913 that weighs 6lb 4oz with 28" barrels. To me it is less the guage and more the largest guage while retaining proper weight and balance. I don't see a reason to use a 410 which may work well on early season dove or quail it still is less effective then a similar weighted 28,20,16 or 12 so why use it?
I have a couple of very nice 20's but rarely use them because the 16's have more payload and weigh about the same.
Ofcourse I am assuming you are equally effective accuracy wise with all the guages. Now when I hunt late season wild pheasant anything less then a modern 12 that can take high pressure number 4's or 5's is is not enough so I deal with the weight. The walking is quite a bit easier then grouse hunting physically.
I do not hunt ducks but I believe I would feel the same, either a 12 or even 10 guage, in particular if I am not walking very much.
Enjoy what ever is the right guage or gun for you. I love my 16's both o/u's and sxs's but do also take out my 12's and even 10's.
Jeff G.
