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Posted: 10/24/2023 5:25:05 PM EDT
Fairly experienced duck hunter here, but i'll be going on a 2 day quail hunt in early December. Never hunted quail before.
I have a 686 Silver Pigeon O/U in 12 ga. that I'll use. My chokes are good with steel shot. I honestly don't know if lead is legal for quail in Louisiana? Even if it is...should I be looking for a high velocity steel shot instead? I was thinking 6 or 7 shot 2-3/4"? |
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Posted: 10/24/2023 6:13:27 PM EDT
[Last Edit: FredMan]
[#1]
Any 2 3/4” #7.5 or #8 cheap game load will work. Quail are pretty easy to bring down if you get them in your pattern.
You’ll be taking relatively close shots, if you and the dogs do your jobs, so be thinking improved choke. ETA, run improved in your first barrel and modified in the second. Most people select their lower barrel for the first shot. |
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Posted: 10/24/2023 6:20:23 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Bigger_Hammer]
[#2]
2 3/4" game loads in 8's or 7.5s will be more than enough. Quail are small & not too tough.
Quail tend to stay put until almost under foot then burst up so most shots are close - a IC choke works well for me. You might need the steel loads. I know they are required for Dove hunting in the Wildlife Management Areas but dove are a MIGRATORY bird & Quail is not. Louisiana 2022 - 2023 Hunting Regulations PDF. LINK You might post the Steel or Lead on Quail Question in the Louisiana Home Town Forum for a SME. Good Luck & Good Hunting. Bigger_Hammer 
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Posted: 10/24/2023 6:26:30 PM EDT
[#3]
Thanks guys, that's helpful and along the lines of what I was thinking.
I shoot bottom barrel first...IC in bottom and LM in top which is my go-to for sporting clays. Seems like quail hunting will be pretty similar to sporting clay shots? |
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MO, USA
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Posted: 10/24/2023 9:26:16 PM EDT
[#4]
Ditch the 12ga. and buy a 20ga. Preferably a side by side.
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Posted: 10/24/2023 10:18:07 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By LittleAugieMo: Ditch the 12ga. and buy a 20ga. Preferably a side by side. After dropping $2600 on this sporting rig 12 ga…I’m tapped out. If I were do buy a lighter gauge it would probably be a Sweet 16. |
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Posted: 10/24/2023 11:00:26 PM EDT
[Last Edit: FB41]
[#6]
IC and Mod will do you just fine, but bring a Cyl just in case they're flushing real close.
7-8 lead shot will be fine or 7 steel if you must. 1 oz. loads make it easy on the shoulder and you're not losing much over 1.125 oz. loads. If you get addicted to quail hunting, you'll be wanting a 28 gauge soon (my go-to for all bird hunting). |
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USA
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Posted: 10/25/2023 9:23:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: rebel_rifle]
[#7]
Since quail are non migratory, the mandated use of steel shot is not required at least on the federal level. However, LA might (although doubtful) so check the state regs to make sure.
With a 12 gauge I would use no larger than 7 1/2 shot, 8 is just fine. I would also shoot no heavier than a 1 1/8 ounce load, a 1 ounce is plenty and virtually no recoil. For chokes, as open as you have, skeet and a light modified for a longer second shot would be great. |
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USA
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Posted: 11/6/2023 4:36:38 PM EDT
[#8]
My upland gun was a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon II 12ga for a number of years. Great gun for the hunt. As others have said, any 1oz #7.5 or 8 will do the trick.
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USA
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Posted: 11/6/2023 4:38:18 PM EDT
[#9]
I always used Mod over IC. I like taking my time on that second shot instead of just ripping off both barrels. Modified gave me an extra 5-10 yards after the flush.
Enjoy your hunts! |
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Posted: 11/11/2023 10:50:47 AM EDT
[#10]
I like skeet on bottom first, and IC on top. I prefer Express 9s if I can find them, but any cheapo 8s will work.
I never could hit them until I figured out you have to slow down. Now I'm fast. 
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Posted: 11/11/2023 10:57:51 AM EDT
[#11]
Quail aren't "tough" birds so 9's 8's & 7.5s will all kill them well with standard loads.
Open choke (Skeet / IC) first then to the IC/Mod as they fly further out. Good Luck & have Fun Hunting. Bigger_Hammer
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Posted: 11/11/2023 11:17:16 AM EDT
[#12]
Used to hunt them a lot as a kid before the population basically dried up. I always used the same field and target loads I shot clays with that were always 7 1/2 or 8s. Quail are much different than ducks. Hardly any cripples and you can definitely over kill with too heavy a load and basically destroy the bird. If you get some that you have to kick up before they fly let them get out a bit before shooting. Even field and target loads can blow a bird in half if you shoot it right off the muzzle out of reaction. Ask me how I know...
I assume you use a different gun waterfowling? If not there is no harm using the same gun and loads as it is good practice and keeps your leads or swing through consistent. Just more expensive to shoot. |
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Posted: 12/13/2023 2:46:53 AM EDT
[#13]
I keep a loaner 12 gauge A400 in Florida for guests.
For quail I put in a skeet choke and 1oz loads. I’ve had guests use #9 1oz Winchester Super Targets or promo Winchester dove loads in #7 I bought several years ago from Cabelas. They work fine. |
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Posted: 12/14/2023 1:53:18 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Deere_John_16: Used to hunt them a lot as a kid before the population basically dried up. I always used the same field and target loads I shot clays with that were always 7 1/2 or 8s. Quail are much different than ducks. Hardly any cripples and you can definitely over kill with too heavy a load and basically destroy the bird. If you get some that you have to kick up before they fly let them get out a bit before shooting. Even field and target loads can blow a bird in half if you shoot it right off the muzzle out of reaction. Ask me how I know... I assume you use a different gun waterfowling? If not there is no harm using the same gun and loads as it is good practice and keeps your leads or swing through consistent. Just more expensive to shoot. I have a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon Sporting (30”). IC in bottom barrel and LM in top. First quail hunt was a success. Such a blast. I shot 7.5 and 8 1oz. Didn’t take long to get the hang of it. I preferred the longer shots.  Attached File |
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Posted: 12/14/2023 3:11:37 AM EDT
[#15]
My favorite load for wild birds with good dogs:
3 1/4 1 1/8 8. 9’s will work. 7 1/2’s always tore the birds up too much. IC or Skeet choke. Or just no choke. |
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Posted: 12/14/2023 2:28:20 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By alpha0815: I have a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon Sporting (30”). IC in bottom barrel and LM in top. First quail hunt was a success. Such a blast. I shot 7.5 and 8 1oz. Didn’t take long to get the hang of it. I preferred the longer shots. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/311137/IMG_7617_jpeg-3059032.JPG Congrats! Anxiously awaiting dinner pics! |
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Posted: 12/14/2023 9:26:07 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By alpha0815: I have a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon Sporting (30”). IC in bottom barrel and LM in top. First quail hunt was a success. Such a blast. I shot 7.5 and 8 1oz. Didn’t take long to get the hang of it. I preferred the longer shots. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/311137/IMG_7617_jpeg-3059032.JPG Congratulations! |
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Posted: 12/15/2023 10:24:58 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Deere_John_16: Congrats! Anxiously awaiting dinner pics! Just did some bombs the first night before I froze the rest.  Attached File |
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Posted: 12/16/2023 1:37:35 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By alpha0815: Just did some bombs the first night before I froze the rest. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/311137/IMG_7622_jpeg-3060128.JPG 
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TX, USA
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Posted: 12/16/2023 1:43:53 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By LittleAugieMo: Ditch the 12ga. and buy a 20ga. Preferably a side by side. Agree on the 20, ou is fine too. No steel shot, they are not waterfowl |
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