Shotguns for Vintage Hunting

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I found a few pictures from the past .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I finally found this picture from a few years ago . This was a hunt I will remember , I called him for a long time and he finally came into range . After I shot he started flopping around and flopped into the creek . I walked over and pulled him out of the water with him still flopping . Now the hard part was climbing up the small bank which was slick as a gut . 

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Today is the last day of Turkey season , no turkey this spring . Well maybe this fall ?

[Mean Bob Mean]

Howdy
Today is the last day of Turkey season , no turkey this spring . Well maybe this fall ?

No one in my office got one either Rusty. 

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Mean Bob Mean
Don't know what happened to the Turkeys , word has it last winter was rough on them ?

[Mean Bob Mean]

Mean Bob Mean
Don't know what happened to the Turkeys , word has it last winter was rough on them ?

I think we were simply too busy here Rowdy sir, we intend to rectify this.  Loaded my first BP brass shotshells and am testing them this weekend.  If they pattern, will locate some heavier shot for use in my Double Hammer on big birds. 

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Any Squirrel  Hunters out there , season comes in Aug. We use shotguns until the leaves are off the trees . Then it's rifle season .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Any fall Turkey Hunters having any luck ? I need a barrel stretcher for my 87 need to stretch it to at least a 28 incher . 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Howdy
Any fall Turkey Hunters having any luck ? I need a barrel stretcher for my 87 need to stretch it to at least a 28 incher . 

Is that "legal length" in your State?  If so, that is another good reason to avoid the hacksaw. OTOH, If you just have to have a few more inches to get a closer shot

Seriously, BP mvs are often less than what you get with even modest smokeless charges so barrel length helps to keep it up there.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Sir Charles
My 87 has a 20 inch barrel with basically no choke . My black powder loads work for about 20 yards , after that it opens up to a giant pattern . Sure would love to take a Turkey with it .  I just need to get the barrel choked ?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Rowdy; I feel for you, but I have been preaching against chopping shottie barrel on cascity for years.

HALF the resale value

Half the effectiveness

Not necessary even at "stand & deliver" ranges and no faster getting around range props.

[Lucky R. K.]

Rowdy,
Find a local gunsmith to install screw in choke tubes for your '97  then you can go from cylinder bore to full choke if you want.  I did this with my '97 several years ago. It has a 20 inch barrel and works great with the choke tubes.

Sir Charles, in my part of the country about the only use for a '97 is in CAS shooting and possibly at a turkey shoot. They are not of great value except for those uses and a shorter barrel makes it more desirable than a longer one.  I have seen that they are being reproduced with the shorter barrels.

Lucky

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Lucky and Rowdy; I know the arguments, but I feel a chop job is more fashion than function.

A choke tube, possibly even a turkey tube is probably the cheapest way out.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I guess I will have it tubed . I talked to froghair about a long tube to add length to the barrel and xtra tight for turkey . Trying to figure out if the 87 would be worth the add expense ? If it happens it will be this Spring . Might try to shoot Quail with it this winter ? Thanks for the advice and helpful hints .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Hope I can find a few Quail to hunt . Would love to try the 87 on them . I love fried Quail excellent eating .

[Oregon Bill]

I currently have a Husqvarna Moddel 20A hammer gun with the LeFaucheaux underlever action, 12 gauge, 2 1/2.
But I have a W.C. Scott 12-bore percussion double incoming. Eager to work up loads for it.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I currently have a Husqvarna Moddel 20A hammer gun with the LeFaucheaux underlever action, 12 gauge, 2 1/2.
But I have a W.C. Scott 12-bore percussion double incoming. Eager to work up loads for it.

I have one of those m20a's, made when I was 4 months old. Still an effective hunter.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I grabbed my 87 and a handful of bp shells .I smoked up the range and had a great time . I called a gun smith about making it a long barreled shotgun . Would love to have a 30 inch barrel with a X full choke . He is checking on aPOSSIBLE source for long barrels ?
This is the shotgun I would love to Turkey Hunt with in the Spring .

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I hope it comes through for you, Rowdy.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Last night I cleaned my 87 after shooting . The rolling block makes cleaning the 87 a breeze . Shoved all the crude down the barrel and cleaning patches fell on the floor .  the action  wiped clean . The 87 is a fun gun to shoot and easy to clean up afterwards .