Found my ideal woods-wandering shotgun

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
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6,105
I've been on sort of a quest for a while now, hunting for an ideal woods shotgun. There several criteria, but it needed to be lightweight, simple, rugged, well-balanced, and versatile. I was initially up in the air about gauge, but decided to go with 20 gauge due to perceived needs and smaller/lighter ammo. I knew I wanted H&R brand however as a single shot is the only action type that suited my 'theme'.

I'd been going back and forth on how to go about building it though, because I wanted a short-ish barrel length, and most of them have 26" barrels or longer. I finally stumbled upon a 20 ga H&R Pardner Youth model a my local shop however! It's a perfect fit and brand new, though LOP is a little short, and it's got a wood stock. The barrel length is 22" which is a little longer than I wanted, but it is 'pretty close' and saves me from having to visit (and pay) a 'smith to shorten it and add screw in chokes. The Pardner is also a modified choke which is a good compromise for my needs.

I took the synthetic stocks off my .45-70 H&R Handi-rifle, which already have sling studs and a recoil pad, and put them onto the 20ga instead. Talk about perfect! Incredibly rugged, simple design, with a very light overall package (I'd guess around 5 lbs or so now) and a scant 38" OAL. It'll have some kick, but that's a very acceptable trade off to me. Now I'm just considering getting a butt cuff to hold a few extra rounds.

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Well thats one purdy setup :).
I would have recommended a Franchi AL48 in 20 gauge. I have the Black Magic model and I can walk around all day with that baby and still swing it and point in the blink of an eye even at the end of the day.
I believe the gun comes in at about 5.5 lbs. It is one sweet shooter
 
Nice! That looks like a handy little poke-stick. A lot easier to haul and swing around than the monster side-by-side 12ga. with 30" barrels I had as a kid!:D
 
Nice choice. :thumbup: I'm also a fan of the H & R 20 gauge.

Jeff
 
I like a 20 Ga myself for woods walking. I favor a pump though over a single shot. This little Mossberg 500C pretty much does it all. A mix of bird shot and slugs covers most everything I'll run into . A black nylon sling fits right on, and it shoulders easily.
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SpookyPistolero said:
It's a perfect fit and brand new, though LOP is a little short,
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Forgive me if you're already familiar with these concepts...

In shotgunning, fit is everything. If the LOP is too short, it's really not a perfect fit. Generally, short LOP causes shots to go high. Your cheek rests farther forward on the upward-sloping comb, causing your eye ("rear sight") to be higher than it should. A longer LOP moves your cheek back --and down-- the comb, lowering your shots

Off-the-shelf shotguns don't fit me at all, and it was years before I learned the importance of gun fit in shotgunning. A lot of ducks, geese and especially, grouse are alive because of my late learning. Nowadays, they're at risk. :D

Good shooting,
desmobob
 
desmobob said:
Forgive me if you're already familiar with these concepts...

In shotgunning, fit is everything. If the LOP is too short, it's really not a perfect fit. Generally, short LOP causes shots to go high. Your cheek rests farther forward on the upward-sloping comb, causing your eye ("rear sight") to be higher than it should. A longer LOP moves your cheek back --and down-- the comb, lowering your shots

Off-the-shelf shotguns don't fit me at all, and it was years before I learned the importance of gun fit in shotgunning. A lot of ducks, geese and especially, grouse are alive because of my late learning. Nowadays, they're at risk. :D

Good shooting,
desmobob
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Thanks for the good advice! I very much agree with you, having only one point to sight along makes things more delicate indeed. Having switched the 'youth' stock for the adult size handi-rifle stock w/ recoil pad makes it fit me perfectly, however. Lucky!
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Thanks for the good advice! I very much agree with you, having only one point to sight along makes things more delicate indeed. Having switched the 'youth' stock for the adult size handi-rifle stock w/ recoil pad makes it fit me perfectly, however. Lucky!
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If you are a member of graybeards they have H&R trader forum you could most likely trade the wood youth set for a adult stock set for your 45/70 I have a youth 410 I like well.
 
plumberroy said:
If you are a member of graybeards they have H&R trader forum you could most likely trade the wood youth set for a adult stock set for your 45/70 I have a youth 410 I like well.
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Good call! I may just try that. And thanks again for your help/thoughts elsewhere. :thumbup:
 
Nice gun!

A bit of advice though, I've used Butt cuffs before and they really screw up the balance of a gun. You're better off getting a belt slide to keep your extra rounds.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Nice gun!

A bit of advice though, I've used Butt cuffs before and they really screw up the balance of a gun. You're better off getting a belt slide to keep your extra rounds.
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Thanks! I haven't used one before, and that was a concern. I may go the belt route. :thumbup: Plus it's a little more in keeping with KISS.
 
I have been using the same rig, except in wood, for a long time, still use it. I have killed deer, hogs and about every variety of small game that lives in the south with it, it is light as a feather and reliable as a hammer, what more could you ask for. Mine has the 26" on it but is still handy enough for me, I have much nicer guns but this one gets the nod more than any other. About the only time I take anything else is when I am duck or quail hunting. Chris

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I just cut down mu old Steven's bolt action 12 gauge for forest carry. It does weigh more than a single shot, but a lot less than a pump, and even less than my savage camp. I'l get some photos when I finish the stock mod and get it fitted with rifle sights, and a sling.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Nice gun!

A bit of advice though, I've used Butt cuffs before and they really screw up the balance of a gun. You're better off getting a belt slide to keep your extra rounds.
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This is true
I wear the butt cuffs on my strong side wrist, Break the gun down with your thumb reach over for shell with weak hand drop in , snap it back up with weak hand gun never leaves firing position the twelve that sits in the corner beside my bed is loaded with #4 buck the cuff is loaded first shell closest to my hand is another #4 buck next are 2 #4 bird shot the 2 towards my elbow are slugs it's main use is for critters messing with my animals I can change from Buckshot to slugs or birdshot before the guys with pumps or autos can think about how to do it
By the way Spooky you'd like it to 24" barrel full camo It is full choke butshoots slugs better than a lot of guns built for slug guns
Roy
 
I've been looking real hard at the H&R 20 gauges for a while. I might have to get one.
 
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