Anyone still hunt with an old gun?

I saw a video put out by Woodsman8, and it made me wonder, does anyone still hunt with the old guns? The super tight-choked 20 ga. guns with 24" barrels are the rage, but ....

Does anyone still really hunt with the old stuff? I still carry a Winchester model 12 2 3/4 30" full with magnum 4s every day I hunt turkeys. I still kill my share, and some of you all's share. I have one of my uncle's Lynch's gobbling box from the 60's or 70's and my yelping box from the 70's I still carry every day it isn't calling for a downpour. I have a small push/pin box from the early 80's I still carry.
The gun is sentimental and it fits me. I love putting that gun in my hands. The boxes, still work on birds. I wish I had some mouth calls from back then, but sadly over time they loose their composure, and I have to buy new ones. I've been killing turkeys since 1973, I don't see a reason to change now. Now, I'm wanting my son-in-law to get his turkeys and get hooked into the chase and thought process of it as much as killing. I don't feel old school, I feel sad for some of you. Those old guns have a feel that the new ones don't, I have a Browning Gold Hunter I use for ducks merely because of the newer type shot I am forced to use by our government. Those old guns tie you to someone you once knew and still have in your heart. Those old guns tie you to days you wish you had back.

Did not start turkey hunting until 1979; but with my dads 12 gauge double barreled Fox Savage. Killed my first 52 with the left (full) barrel. Have since killed with several guns but usually get one with it each year. My regular now is one of two 20s; Fox Savage double or my Stevens single barrel 20; both with TSS. Yes, I like the feel and memories of older guns. Have two 22s, Winchester 1896 (octagon barrell) and Win Model 62 I grew up with. If I never shoot they still feel great in my hands.

I used to hunt with a 1930s double 12 with 32 inch full and full bbls. I gave it to a friend for Christmas several years ago. He damn near cried.

I've been toting my grandpa's 1918 model 12 some. I want to kill one with it mighty bad.

I've switched over to a new gun for myself, but took my son for his first time last year with our Model 11 20 gauge. Seemed to kill just fine. All my dad ever used was his Model 11 12 until I got it stolen for him. Left it at a gunsmith's house and the guy died. Never saw it again. Engravings and all.

If I kill a couple early maybe I'll bust out my grandpa's Model 12 like 2Dogs. Heck, I've even got some old magnums from the 70"s that I could go really old school with.

I’ve killed some over the last 10yrs with a Fox 20ga SxS IC/M....my first shotgun.

I have a black powder parker brothers S/S 2 3/4 12 ga that's been passed down through the family. I hunted with it for the first time last year, really can't wait to shoot one with it.

My main gun's a 24" Benelli 20 gauge M2 with #7 Federal Heavyweight, but if I ever get to where I can kill more than one per season I'm gonna try with my 1950s vintage 16 gauge Wingmaster with fixed full choke barrel and some Nitro loads I've had for over five years.

Just realized I have my dad’s old Remington 1100 magnum. It’s a full choke barrel shooting 3” shells. He used it for shooting buckshot. Might pull it out this year. Don’t know if it’s safe to shoot those hard TSS shells through it so I might just go back to the old days with some Winchester supremes # 6 if I can find some. Anybody else shoot this gun?


Dr. B

Yep, have that gun from my uncle too, 30" full choke, great shooter. I would not shoot those TSS out of it, I know 1 shot should not hurt that gun, why take the chance, those #6's will do just fine. My uncle used his for dog hunting with #1 buckshot and for shooting #4's in 3" shells. Those are mighty fine guns. I love that gun, it is heavy when it is fully loaded with five 3" shells, but man do one feel well armed with that thing.

Come on guys, surely you haven't all gone this "new gun" route. Who taught you to turkey hunt, what did they carry? I bet they killed plenty of birds.

1940s 1897 Winchester. It's all I've carried for turkeys for the last 10 years or so.

I tote my old 20-ga. single shot Stevens a time or 2 every season. I’ve had it since I was about 12 so I reckon it’s old now.

Friend of mine has the same gun, been shooting tss out of it for years. It’s fine to shoot it out of it. What do y’all think it’s gonna do to it?? Lol

DW, I don't know other than some of the older barrels are not made to shoot steel or that really hard shot. Seems like it messes up the inside of the barrel or something.

Dr. B

20+ years old

Good point. what is old? I think pre-1960 is an older gun. I'm sure others feel different.

Yep, pre 60's --- 20 years is not that old in gun years.




Yep, the new steel is just too strong for the old barrels. I know we used to shoot lead, but this new steel is a lot tougher.

Dr. B[/quote] Friend of mine has the same gun, been shooting tss out of it for years. It’s fine to shoot it out of it. What do y’all think it’s gonna do to it?? Lol [/quote] I don't begrudge what anyone wants to shoot out of their gun, I don't think it is going to explode on him, I believe it has more to do with the inside of the barrel getting dinged.

That 1100 will handle it all day.

I'm gonna make a point to pull out my old winchester 12 gauge single shot and use it this year. I bought that gun, my first, @ TG&Y. I killed my first 4 turkeys with it back in the spring of 98 when I started hunting those blasted birds. It has the 30" full choke barrels. Kicks like a mule though.

I have a Belgium browning light 12 made in 1950s. Original owner put a poly choke on it. It also came with a full choke barrel with solid rib. Shoots 2 3/4 shells. What y’all think I should try to pattern with?

Dr. B

I know it isn't popular but mine shoots #4 better than #6. I haven't shot but a couple with it, but my model 11 (about the same) also shoots #4s better. That gun has shot a bunch. I like Remington nitro mags but I'm sure others do the job.

Im not a fan of the poly chokes but I have one on a model 11 20 gauge. Even the full isn't that tight, but my son killed his 1st with it last spring.

Springfield 67F 20 guage...

Dr. B, i like to use 2 3/4” Hi-Brass #5’s out of my older guns. I’ve killed several out of my dad’s old Model 11 12 ga. using Estate Hi-Brass #5’s.

4, 5 , 6 Start with what you think, me, I just shoot magnum 4’s and call it a day. I aim for right above the but of the wing if he is out ways.

Put several shells of different shot size thru both barrels.Only way to know. I have a poly choke barrel. When it's cranked down to full, I really can't tell much pattern difference than with the fixed full choke barrel. But that surely doesn't mean that'll be the same for your stuff. Don't know how familiar you are with the belgian gun. With that being said- I guess your aware of the heavy & light load setting on the friction ring.Be sure you have that set right for the heavy shell. If not you will for sure feel it & the gun will take a beating to.