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12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
#6564908
11/30/16 02:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 961
TTUGrad08
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 961 |
Okay, so we are looking at going on a Blue/Scale quail hunt this February & it was recommended to use high brass #6's. My question is what load in either 12 or 20 Gauge does everybody typically go with?
Historically I would use size 8 dove loads when hunting Bobs but am considering picking up some heavy 6' s for this hunt. It will be my first hunt for blue quail.
Oppinions please ladies and gentlemen?
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6564976
11/30/16 03:20 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 528
TXPanhandler
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 528 |
Depends on where you're hunting them and what the cover is like. I hunt blues in places where they run like crazy and we take 30 yard shots all the time, and I also hunt them in thick cover where it's no different than hunting bobs. I pretty much always shoot Remington Heavy Dove 7 1/2. Never have had a problem killing them.
upshaw-insurance.com
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TXPanhandler]
#6565005
11/30/16 03:40 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 961
TTUGrad08
OP
Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 961 |
Depends on where you're hunting them and what the cover is like. I hunt blues in places where they run like crazy and we take 30 yard shots all the time, and I also hunt them in thick cover where it's no different than hunting bobs. I pretty much always shoot Remington Heavy Dove 7 1/2. Never have had a problem killing them. Thanks, for the money that is my favorite load and I'm probably sitting on a case of them!
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6565140
11/30/16 06:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 26
DFWHunter123
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 26 |
12 ga High brass #6 with a modified choke IMO. I absolutely hate knocking one over to watch him take off as I've started my approach to pick them up.
Wreck em
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6565170
11/30/16 11:28 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,206
CCBIRDDOGMAN
Bird Herder
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Bird Herder
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,206 |
I load a hot 7&1/2. 1&1/4 Oz of shot at about 1,400 fps. It knocks them down.
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out. I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6565171
11/30/16 11:38 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
I've always shot 7 1/2's. Last February I went hunting on public land in Southeastern New Mexico with some customers that grew up out there. There were tons of bird but they were the wildest blues I've ever seen. No cover and the dog was just about useless except for dead birds. The first day I was shooting an improved cylinder and n7 1/2's. I only killed 8. The next day I opted for high brass #6 and a full choke. I limited out fairly quickly and never blew up a bird. You will be amazed at how far you can kill a quail with 6's and a full choke. Don't be too proud to shoot those running bastards on the ground.
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6565201
11/30/16 12:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825
poisonivie
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825 |
Whatever I have or the store has. Quail were born looking for a place to die. Throw up your gun and holler "boo" would be nearly as effective.
Pee on Photobucket
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6565305
11/30/16 02:14 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,485
CinchMan
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,485 |
I bought high brass #6s for blues. I haven't shot one yet, but a friend of mine hunts them quite a bit and he said if you shoot one and injure it, it's harder to track down than a wounded pheasant. He shoots 20ga #6 prairie storms and said that drops them like a brick.
Say When.....
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: CinchMan]
#6565323
11/30/16 02:23 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,206
CCBIRDDOGMAN
Bird Herder
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Bird Herder
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,206 |
I bought high brass #6s for blues. I haven't shot one yet, but a friend of mine hunts them quite a bit and he said if you shoot one and injure it, it's harder to track down than a wounded pheasant. He shoots 20ga #6 prairie storms and said that drops them like a brick. He's right, if they don't hit the ground dead, you have a good chance of losing it.
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out. I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6565652
11/30/16 04:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,542
reeltexan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,542 |
I like 20 gauge Rios in 1 oz, 7.5s. 1250 fps.
Dead bird.
"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: scalebuster]
#6566115
11/30/16 09:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 26
DFWHunter123
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 26 |
My sentiments exactly, you can hit one, be on your way to pick it up and watch him haul [censored] off.
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6566140
11/30/16 09:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 950
YellowDog
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 950 |
7.5 or 6's will work fine. Make sure your legs are in running shape. They can cover the ground fast
Born to Hunt/Fish
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6566688
12/01/16 04:01 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 961
TTUGrad08
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 961 |
Thanks everybody..,,leaning toward some 6' s!
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6566803
12/01/16 11:50 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,860
Kahuna
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,860 |
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Re: 12/20 Ga. Load-Blue Quail?
[Re: TTUGrad08]
#6567307
12/01/16 05:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 507
TWarren
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 507 |
7.5 shot works great for me with a skeet and improved choke. Started the season last year turning too many birds into "quail puddin" as Kahuna put it using modified and improved/modified with 7.5s.
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