Chukar, shotgun, questions for the experts

[CP]

Again, thanks for all the input!

What are your recommendations, if any, for good side-by-side shotguns in the $500-$1000 price range?

Take a look at the CZ Bobwhite -

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-bobwhite-12-26-5-choke-tubes/

[fethrduster]

Again, thanks for all the input!

What are your recommendations, if any, for good side-by-side shotguns in the $500-$1000 price range?

Lots of good guns out there in that price range.  Older and used, with double triggers, indeed.  I just bought a 1910 Lefever 16ga sxs today in that price range that will hopefully be my go-to chukar gun.  Just get on gunbroker and do a sxs search.   I have an ffl and buy/sell often also. 

[jackson7]

ugartechea, skb, miroku are a couple.
be careful on older sxs as many have more drop on their stocks which will affect your shooting. Restocking is an expensive proposition. hit some of the used gun stores to get a feel for what you like.

[Dave Workman]

Yep, there are lots of lightweight autoloaders. My Remington 1100 LT 20 gauge is about as light as a feather. I also have a Franchi 12 gauge autoloader that must only be a couple of ounces more. The recoil isn't light, however, but for chukar hunting it doesn't matter. I only noticed it when I tried using it for trap shooting once.   

That's pretty common. One rarely feels recoil when shooting at a live target. It's at the range where recoil becomes the bugaboo, because the target really isn't getting away and you're not at risk of losing something for the bag. (Who ever ate a clay disk?)

I cannot recall having ever felt recoil when shooting at live game, whether birds or bucks or bunnies...

[Dave Workman]

Then one day about 10 yrs ago I happened on a little 6lb belgian 16ga sxs, and on my first chukar hunt with it that fall, I got a triple and a double.  I've never looked back since, and my hits increased by going to a sxs vs a pump and o/u.  I don't have big hands, and I like the smaller, shallower frame of a 16 sxs in my hands.  It feels very instinctive. 16's hit like a 12, without having to resort to 3" magnums at longer ranges like you might in a 20. 

HA! My first shotgun was an old single shot 16 H&R exposed hammer gun that didn't have a front bead. My dad swapped some guy a .380 Beretta Model 1934 pistol for that gun (today I wish he'd kept the Beretta, it was a dandy) and I killed several grouse with it before buying my first double, the 12-gauge Beretta.

I'm surprised the 16-gauge doesn't get more attention because it is a hell of a round. As you suggest, a great "compromise" between the 12- and 20. The "sweet 16" is something of an anachronism because it was never offered in a 3-inch version like the 12- and 20- but in the right hands, as you have discovered, it is hell on wheels for upland birds.

[jetjockey]

Probably because there is really nothing you can't kill with a 20ga.  I keep saying Im going to buy a 16, but just can't pull the trigger.  We hunt SD every couple years for pheasants.  Everyone in our group shoots 20's.  There is no upland bird in the world that 1 oz of #4's or 5's won't kill easily out to 40+ yards. With that said, I've also handled several English Best 12 ga's that weighed in around 6 1/2-6 3/4 lbs.  let's just say that if I was rich, Id have one!

[merkelman]

The Spanish are among some pretty dandy doubles for a great price if you look in the right spots. I just came across my new mountain gun at about 6 lbs.   I agree that 20 will take any bird down just fine given the proper load!  Can't wait till September!

[AWS]

This is a nice little Bernardelli BLE 12 ga. that comes in at 5#15oz. I usually run 2 1/2"(it does have 2 3/4" chambers but most of my guns are 2 1/2") 1oz of 6's for pheasant, huns and sharptail.  I picked it up off of GB in your price range.

[Dave Workman]

This is a nice little Bernardelli BLE 12 ga. that comes in at 5#15oz. I usually run 2 1/2"(it does have 2 3/4" chambers but most of my guns are 2 1/2") 1oz of 6's for pheasant, huns and sharptail.  I picked it up off of GB in your price range.

CRIPES! That almost looks like my Beretta! I think Bernardelli was one of their off-shoots. My gun has a monte carlo comb, straight grip, nickel silver receiver, double triggers...similar wood. 

[chukar hunter]

Leave the fancy gun at home a light semi auto 12 &
Cheep 2 3/4 #6  shells. Or #4 in the snow ..

Best advice so far!  You don't want to be worrying about the finish on your nice gun when your sidehilling 60 degree frozen slopes pushing to the next rock outcropping or cover.  Been rocking Pump Rem 870 for years and have killed dozens of chukar.  I'd rather go heavy on the lead than worry about winging one and watch it lock it's wings and sail down a 1000 vertical feet.