Autos or double guns...

[AnnabellaKennels]

What is your go-to gun for hunting upland game? I am always torn between my Franchi I-12 semi-auto and my Franchi Renaissance over under. I like them both and usually just take the one on top of the pile in the back of my truck.

In training situations I use my 20 gauge single shot quite a bit.

[RangeViewKennels]

I have a semi and 2 side by sides. Semi is 12 ga and the side by sides are 12 and 20.
I will use one of the side by sides 99% of the time for Upland hunting.

[Grand River Gun Dogs]

An auto loader is always an advantage, that is why many states require a plug for waterfowl. When your hunting upland birds and
only getting a single find here and there, it doesn't matter, but when multiple birds are flushing, having more rounds in the gun is an advantage. One of my hunting partners in S.D. uses an over under, I use either one of my Beretta 12 or 20 gauge guns, and hunting side by side I alway get more birds. I often see him shoot at birds that flush a ways out front, miss two quick shots, and stand there with an empty gun when a bird 10 yards in front of him flushes. Guess who gets that bird. Not that big of deal either way, making a good shot on the birds you shoot at is what counts the most.

[wolvmarine]

I use doubles on upland game (usually 20 gauges) and a 12 gauge semi on ducks and geese. I am trending more to 8 or 9 shot spreader loads on grouse and woodcock and generally 5's for pheasant. I found an old book by Frank Woolner that was published in the 70's in which he writes back at the turn of the century the professional bird hunters used 10 gauge guns with 9 shot. Hard to imagine that - here in the North woods anything bigger than a 20 is frowned upon. Pretty much everyone I know uses a 20 or 28 gauge SxS or O/U. If the foliage is real thick I will break out my AyA 12g SxS and go up to 7's or 7-1/2's- especially if I am having a bad day of just blasting leaves. The biggest challenge I find is switching back and forth from single to double triggers. Missed more than one follow up shot that way don't you know!

LB

[bratt's]

In the open CRP fields of Kansas I never use anything but my Weatherby O/U. That gun has been so reliable and if I can't bring down a pheasant or quail in the first two shots...I have no business shooting 2 or 3 more just to cripple birds. During our opening weekend we have a pretty good group of guys that come out to hunt and it never fails that 2 or 3 of them will bring semi autos and let the lead fly. The only reason this bothers me at all is that is seems like those last couple shots always produce a runner pheasant or two. Now you spend precious time chasing down that runner with the potential of flushing more birds that might have sat tight for the dogs had they not had to go 200 yards for a retrieve. I really love going out with just a couple guys and really concentrating on the dog work. However, there are times in the 300 acre CRP fields that a large hunt is necessary to have a good harvest. Just my opinion, whether you have a BB Gun or a Bazooka, it is all about an ethical shot and kill and giving your dog a chance to do what he was made to do.

[britguy]

I use both. Keeping it simple, I use the over/under in a controlled situation like on a game farm or if I am focusing on working my Brittany with other shooters around. I use the semi-auto when I am hunting wild birds and I am by myself or around less experienced hunters. Although I have both in 12 and 20 gauge, I find myself picking up the 20 gauges more often.