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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.
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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.Quote:
Originally Posted by stug
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 :thumbsup:
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.
Bitch seems fat enough, will hopefully dock them soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by R93
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,
This. 6's work on everything, and shoot through quail, so no pellets in the bird.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnd
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:yaeh am not durnk:
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
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 outQuote:
Just to add to the 6's. I find that it only takes one pellet to kill a quail
Hamish Stevens has short bit in latest fish n game mag about this very thing...he doing ok with the steel target loads and is a honest enough chap to say if they were crap.
I like the 16 ga with 6 shot for quail.
Steel shot seems to be hobby horse of yours?? I would try it (if I could find it) at a retailer in my 20g or my 28g although I have serious concerns about ricochets if being used in a river bed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
(same reasons as its banned on NZCTA ranges).
If it were a serious option then its worth a try but as yet I have not seen steel loads for other than 12ga so your point is moot.
I personally do not believe the hype that steel is more environmentally friendly than lead they both have issues
I do not use a 12g for anything apart from mud pies and prefer 20s and 28g for their point-ability and lighter weight when carried a lot and shot a little.
not a hobby horse at all...just saying it as I see it......if you have a good dig you will see Ive given heaps of guys help with what to use in .410 aswell,we used one for years so worked out what does n doesnt work.
sure Ive loaded steel .12ga loads up with my old school whackamole lee loader......did this to get our son to progress from the wee .410 up to the .12ga WITHOUT having the crap knocked out of him 7/8th oz or 1 oz loads do this very well.....these new lighter/clay type steel loads are whats been missing from our gunbelts since steel was introduced for two purposes
#1 for headshooting woundies (not that we get faark all anymore)
#2 for young folk to use for in close pond type shooting,greater number of smaller pellets with open chokes = far better chance of making a clean kill or at least getting birds down.
oh and mikee while we are at it look back to ORIGONAL POST and tell me the 35grm loads OP mentions are .28ga..........
he asks what might be better and is using a .12ga.
Thanks @Micky Duck. I was after something in steel to shoot through 12ga when out shooting ducks in the river bed. I will be closer than 200m to water, and will also be actively after ducks at the same time. I've a couple of quail possies that are in between duck pond/ backwaters. I'll track down some and try them outQuote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
I'd drop down to a sub gauge double barreled shotgun and shoot 1oz loads of #7.5 to get a bit more distance for somewhat similar spread.
Personally I have never felt a noticeable difference in my hit ratio between #9s and #7.5 when shooting skeet, statistically yes there is more spray, but lets face it if your shooting is good the difference between the two is marginal.
That's all I use on pheasant and partridge in the uk, 6s 36gram. Seems to work there's 270 odd pellets in that load.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnd
Now quail if you use 7.5 say 28gram there's nearly 400 pellets:o.
I've used my clay cartage's on pigeons on really busy days. Worked a treat even on 40 yard birds. Hit just as many and my shoulder was happy too:thumbsup:
I have no issue except everyone tells me to use steel shot but I cannot buy any for love nor money locally, nor do I expect this to change any time soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
I use an 3/4oz of 7's (trap loads) for quail (and pheasants) in both my guns
with a pointy dog shots at game are usually not that far. i would imagine same size will work in a 12ga if you can get them
distance has never been a problem on the Rakaia. spread at short to medium range has and is the reason for 9,s for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Petros_mk
I would reckon I get 3 quail with nines for every one I get with 7.5,s.
not scientific but just my observation in shitty crap where the come out at you feet or a tree twenty feet above you.
speaking of which are you keeping your peepers on the mob of quai lby the parrie wash point??that mob that scared the bejasus outtame when i went walkabout on round the mounds last time.Quote:
Originally Posted by gsp follower
Don't disagree with you, its a matter of trial and error to find the best match for the hunter in the given environment. All the quail I've come across is in pine forest so I prefer that little bit of distance for the open country.Quote:
Originally Posted by gsp follower
Quote:
Originally Posted by Petros_mk
that's because you always miss
Not always, occasionally I hit the odd bird that you and Pointer miss.Quote:
Originally Posted by upnorth uplander
Case in point - refer to the photo below.
Attachment 66228
that block changed as soon as the big pines behind u got cut dwn
Pete you caught that with a pool net you lying bugger :D
goin goosin tomorrow avo if you want inQuote:
Originally Posted by kotuku
