Chukar Hunting

[Stilly bay]

Will have to try some of the non-toxic shells to see how they pattern.  One more picture of of one of our birds.  Good luck to everyone with finishing up your season.

Nice Uggie! I have one that used to look that clean. its my go to grouse gun. If Im going non toxic with it I use "Nice" shot which is a little spendy but puts the birds down.

[Phantom Gobbler]

The first spot we tried on Friday has Chukar's, but they were no where to be found up high with the strong winds.  The second day we found them at a different spot at mid slope levels.  They kept flying back and forth instead of running up the steep cliffs, which gave us some opportunities.

Stilly Bay, you know your shotguns!  This was my first time hunting with a double and I had a hard time finding the forward trigger.  Not sure if it's a LOP problem.  Both birds I shot were with the rear trigger (and full choke) which I instinctively found on the covey rise.  Let me know if anyone has some tips for speeding up the learning curve on the use of two triggers.

I had five birds go up when I reached the top of a knob .....  and reaching for the forward trigger, I basically touched them both off ... ba boom and missed the bird I was shooting at.    

Chukar's are tough little birds to down and can be frustrating to locate.   But I hope to make it out once more before the season ends.

[Stilly bay]

Stilly Bay, you know your shotguns!  This was my first time hunting with a double and I had a hard time finding the forward trigger.  Not sure if it's a LOP problem.  Both birds I shot were with the rear trigger (and full choke) which I instinctively found on the covey rise.  Let me know if anyone has some tips for speeding up the learning curve on the use of two triggers.

practice and practice and practice. after awhile you should be able to switch back and forth from a double trigger gun and a single trigger, just like some people can swap pump guns for autos without any hiccups.

get some snap caps so you can practice pulling the triggers in the house without hurting the firing pins.
it maybe a combo of too much LOP and getting used to the double triggers AND the straight grip. a pistol grip tells your hand where to sit while an english grip leaves you to your own devices, thats why fit is so important. measure the LOP and fire up the band saw and git R done

if this is your first double trigger gun I would wager you will want nothing else once you get used to it. there is nothing better than being able to choose which barrel you want instantly!

[Phantom Gobbler]

Stilly Bay, Thanks for the tips on learning the ropes on a double trigger side by side with a european stock.  As I mentioned before, I really like the balance of the gun and look forward to getting used to it!     I think the pain will be worth the gain. 

Now if I can someday find an affordable 20 or 16 gauge, 6 lb sidelock double gun ...............  the dream is alive.

[Phantom Gobbler]

Great pick Phantom I am glad that could help. Thanks again for the seaducks can't wait to get started on them

Can't wait to see the finished drake White Wing Scoters and the Black Scoter.

[fethrduster]

I had a new Uggie grade 1 16ga that I got from Lion Country Supply for $1300 about 4 or 5 yrs ago.   Probably the best buy in the new double gun market.  It didn't have enough drop at heel for my tastes so I sold it, but I would highly recommend one regardless.

[Phantom Gobbler]

I had a new Uggie grade 1 16ga that I got from Lion Country Supply for $1300 about 4 or 5 yrs ago.   Probably the best buy in the new double gun market.  It didn't have enough drop at heel for my tastes so I sold it, but I would highly recommend one regardless.

I picked up the used Uggie in 12 GA  (with 28 inch barrels) over the holidays from DJs in Bothell.   I stopped in and tried out all of them in my price range (under $800) and this boxlock seemed to feel and "fit" me the best.  I was hoping for a smaller GA but I had the double bug bad and am very happy with the purchase so far.  My Model 221 Uggie was imported in the 80's by the Exel Co in Conn., is in good shape and has favorable internet reviews.  I plan to purchase some spreader loads for grouse and quail, as at it is choked Full and Improved Modified.

Sounds like you have some good areas in Oregon to hunt.  Our Central WA areas are kinda spotty as far as finding birds.  We typically have to cover a lot of ground to find some.

[fethrduster]

I had a new Uggie grade 1 16ga that I got from Lion Country Supply for $1300 about 4 or 5 yrs ago.   Probably the best buy in the new double gun market.  It didn't have enough drop at heel for my tastes so I sold it, but I would highly recommend one regardless.

I picked up the used Uggie in 12 GA  (with 28 inch barrels) over the holidays from DJs in Bothell.   I stopped in and tried out all of them in my price range (under $800) and this boxlock seemed to feel and "fit" me the best.  I was hoping for a smaller GA but I had the double bug bad and am very happy with the purchase so far.  My Model 221 Uggie was imported in the 80's by the Exel Co in Conn., is in good shape and has favorable internet reviews.  I plan to purchase some spreader loads for grouse and quail, as at it is choked Full and Improved Modified.

Sounds like you have some good areas in Oregon to hunt.  Our Central WA areas are kinda spotty as far as finding birds.  We typically have to cover a lot of ground to find some.

DJ's has some great buys.  There are a couple double project guns there I'm thinking about too.  I saw your Uggie on the rack a while back now that you mention it.  Uggie model 30's were imported by a number of different companies back in the 80's, much like Zabala and others.  Good guns.
I might give in and try finding some chuks around the Palouse next year on the Snake.  I thought it would be fun to do a combo chukar/pheasant/deer hunt, and spend a week.  We'll see.

[Stilly bay]

[/quote]

I picked up the used Uggie in 12 GA  (with 28 inch barrels) over the holidays from DJs in Bothell.   I stopped in and tried out all of them in my price range (under $800) and this boxlock seemed to feel and "fit" me the best.  I was hoping for a smaller GA but I had the double bug bad and am very happy with the purchase so far.  My Model 221 Uggie was imported in the 80's by the Exel Co in Conn., is in good shape and has favorable internet reviews.  I plan to purchase some spreader loads for grouse and quail, as at it is choked Full and Improved Modified.


[/quote]

sounds like we have very similar guns. mine was imported by excel also.

I ended up getting a case of 2 1/2" spreader loads for grouse, and couldn't be happier with their performance at the patterning board AND in the woods.

FWIW Im sure you already know this but don't put heavy loads in that uggie, although its marked 2 3/4" you should really only put lighter "square" 2 3/4" loads through it to avoid stock cracking and other parts breaking down from high pressure and heavy recoil.

the doublegun bug always starts with an uggie.

[Phantom Gobbler]

I feel like I've been bitten bad by SSD!!   

Stilly,  What size shot do you use for grouse and for chukar?  I'm assuming that the max load in the 12 GA Uggie would be
1 1/4 oz. in 2 3/4 high base?   

Duster,  Sounds like a good plan for next year.  Your gonna need to be in shape for hunting the breaks and also have some well worn lightweight boots! 

[fethrduster]

Phantom, if the wood is in good shape on your Uggie you can probably get by with a box or three of 1 1/4oz. loads without any problems, but if it's a lightly built gun overall, I would drop down to 1 1/8oz. loads just to be nice to the wood.  I shoot RST 2.5" 1oz. 6's in my 1900 era Lefever 12, and I kill roosters out to 60 yds.  Most shotguns perform better with light loads, not heavier ones. 

[Phantom Gobbler]

Thanks for the tips guys as this is my first double gun.

[Phantom Gobbler]

I picked up the used Uggie in 12 GA  (with 28 inch barrels) over the holidays from DJs in Bothell.   I stopped in and tried out all of them in my price range (under $800) and this boxlock seemed to feel and "fit" me the best.  I was hoping for a smaller GA but I had the double bug bad and am very happy with the purchase so far.  My Model 221 Uggie was imported in the 80's by the Exel Co in Conn., is in good shape and has favorable internet reviews.  I plan to purchase some spreader loads for grouse and quail, as at it is choked Full and Improved Modified.


[/quote]

sounds like we have very similar guns. mine was imported by excel also.

I ended up getting a case of 2 1/2" spreader loads for grouse, and couldn't be happier with their performance at the patterning board AND in the woods.

FWIW Im sure you already know this but don't put heavy loads in that uggie, although its marked 2 3/4" you should really only put lighter "square" 2 3/4" loads through it to avoid stock cracking and other parts breaking down from high pressure and heavy recoil.

the doublegun bug always starts with an uggie.
[/quote]

Stilly Bay - What are the specs on your uggie?  Do you have a picture you can post?

[floatinghat]

I had a new Uggie grade 1 16ga that I got from Lion Country Supply for $1300 about 4 or 5 yrs ago.   Probably the best buy in the new double gun market.  It didn't have enough drop at heel for my tastes so I sold it, but I would highly recommend one regardless.

I picked up the used Uggie in 12 GA  (with 28 inch barrels) over the holidays from DJs in Bothell.   I stopped in and tried out all of them in my price range (under $800) and this boxlock seemed to feel and "fit" me the best.  I was hoping for a smaller GA but I had the double bug bad and am very happy with the purchase so far.  My Model 221 Uggie was imported in the 80's by the Exel Co in Conn., is in good shape and has favorable internet reviews.  I plan to purchase some spreader loads for grouse and quail, as at it is choked Full and Improved Modified.

Sounds like you have some good areas in Oregon to hunt.  Our Central WA areas are kinda spotty as far as finding birds.  We typically have to cover a lot of ground to find some.

DJ's has some great buys.  There are a couple double project guns there I'm thinking about too.  I saw your Uggie on the rack a while back now that you mention it.  Uggie model 30's were imported by a number of different companies back in the 80's, much like Zabala and others.  Good guns.
I might give in and try finding some chuks around the Palouse next year on the Snake.  I thought it would be fun to do a combo chukar/pheasant/deer hunt, and spend a week.  We'll see.

If I recall correctly the 221 is not a model 30.  They are very similar but the 221 has chopper lumps and a hidden third bite.

[Phantom Gobbler]

"If I recall correctly the 221 is not a model 30.  They are very similar but the 221 has chopper lumps and a hidden third bite."


Floatinghat - I'm not sure what a hidden third bite means?  Are you saying that the model 221 is a higher grade gun?