Originally Posted By: Dave Vedder
Long ago Stam correctly observed that Tye might be the one of us to decide if we were going to become bird hunters. Well he has voted and the choice is clear. We both love it! I am now planning on a few weeks in Arizona quail hunting in Jan/Feb.

Sooooo . . . . of course I need a new gun. I have a Beretta AL2 that is a good gun but its pretty heavy for me to pack all day.

I'm thinking of switching to s Benelli 20 gauge. I will keep the Beretta for ducks and some phesant hunting, but would use the Benelli for quail, huns, etc.

Any suggestions - advise?

Do I really need a 12 gauge for phesants?

Personally, I would rather have a 12 for everything and tailor the loads to the game. Perhaps swapping barrels for different tasks.
That way I'm always mounting the same gun.
Being a good wing shot is partly about keeping things constant and familiar.

The 20 is very capable. Just remember the age-old warning that a 20 will fall through a 12 chamber and lodge in the forcing cone. Then a 12 can be chambered on top of that. Yikes!
The ol' man drilled that into me.

For close-flushing quail like our California Valley Quail I would want a fast spreading, short barrel in SKEET bore. Not sure what type of quail are in AZ. You want to throw watermelons, not softballs, an old skeet shooter once told me, in reference to pattern size.

Oh and watch out for Dick Cheney grin

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NO STEP ON SNEK