Thread: Best Cartridge for Quail.

What are you guys using on quail? Normally they're a bonus when river shooting ducks and just use Falcon 35, 4 shot, with varying degrees of success. However this year I've discovered a couple of coveys and are going to try and target them. It's still within 200m of water, so have to use steel.
Any recommendations.

you can get steel clay loads....some 7.5s would fit the bill.

You can use lead on them so long as you are targeting upland game (quail are not waterfowl). So don't have your duck caller or decoys on you.

From http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/sites/...202016%20C.pdf
"USE OF LEAD SHOT AMMUNITION OVER WATER
(S18 Wildlife Act 1953)
It is an offence to possess, or hunt waterfowl with 200 metres
of open water using lead shot ammunition otherwise than with
the exceptions allowed (see use of non-toxic shot above). The
maximum penalty is $5,000 fine, and forfeiture of shotgun used"

just use trap loads ie 7.5s Eley Blues work good. I however use a 28ga for quail

I just use 1 oz Club 7.5 or 8s for quail. (Falcon?)

Hopefully have a new pup arriving in May so looking forward to the 2018 upland season.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by stug

You can use lead on them so long as you are targeting upland game (quail are not waterfowl). So don't have your duck caller or decoys on you.

From http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/sites/...202016%20C.pdf
"USE OF LEAD SHOT AMMUNITION OVER WATER
(S18 Wildlife Act 1953)
It is an offence to possess, or hunt waterfowl with 200 metres
of open water using lead shot ammunition otherwise than with
the exceptions allowed (see use of non-toxic shot above). The
maximum penalty is $5,000 fine, and forfeiture of shotgun used"

Was trying to find that in the book. I still thought if you were within 200 you had to use steel, but that clears that up.
The only trouble is ill have callers and hopefully a duck in hand when shooting these wee guys. They've got a couple of spots just off the river. This time I'll be ready and change the ammo then stalk in. Still stuck with steel bugger it

or just use your mates shotgun and id

For a number of years I was running 5's for pheasant and then 8's for quail.
Swapping them in and out as I tried to predict what was around the corner.
A good ( successful ) mate told me to use 6's and quit pissing about. Doesnt matter what gauge, 6's will knock down any upland game ( unless its a Peacock )

Might be different in areas where you dont see many pheasants, but knowing what i know now i would probably shoot 6's even if no roosters about.

Originally Posted by R93

I just use 1 oz Club 7.5 or 8s for quail. (Falcon?)

Hopefully have a new pup arriving in May so looking forward to the 2018 upland season.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Bitch seems fat enough, will hopefully dock them soon.

9s if you find them are fantastic on quail

If I was just after quail, I take a 28ga SxS, and a load 3/4 oz of 7.5 or 8 shot,
I normally take a 16ga, for most bird hunting or a 20ga semi from time to time, # 4-6 shot, depending on expected game.
Something light and fast handling, quail are unbelievably quick,

Originally Posted by johnd

For a number of years I was running 5's for pheasant and then 8's for quail.
Swapping them in and out as I tried to predict what was around the corner.
A good ( successful ) mate told me to use 6's and quit pissing about. Doesnt matter what gauge, 6's will knock down any upland game ( unless its a Peacock )

Might be different in areas where you dont see many pheasants, but knowing what i know now i would probably shoot 6's even if no roosters about.

This. 6's work on everything, and shoot through quail, so no pellets in the bird.

20 gauge 9,s if inside 25 metres
had no joy with 8,s at all and limited success with 7or 7.5s.
tho most of my shots were within the 15 t0 25 metre range.
anything bigger left buggerall to eat

Just to add to the 6's. I find that it only takes one pellet to kill a quail. i dont get a lot of shot to shit birds Also run very open chokes usually skeet and skeet 1. Or Improved Cylinder.
Normally run a 28 gauge or 20. Dont even pick up the 12 these days

Just to add to the 6's. I find that it only takes one pellet to kill a quail

same johnd I just have trouble getting that one pellet to cooperate others get in the way and if its to big it turns them inside out