small shotgun

[sochr000]

I've got a couple questions that relate to this year's upcoming hunting season, the first is about transporting a shotgun, and the second is about finding a suitable shotgun for my needs.

First, I am hoping to do a little bit of grouse hunting this year while on my motorcycle, and I was planning to get a cheaper single-shot 20ga that I can break down. My plan is to break the shotgun down so it's not as long, put it in a gun-sock, then put it either in my saddle bags, or in a backpack. Pretty sure it's legal for me to do this, since the law only says it has to be unloaded and in either a case or the trunk, just making sure there isn't some ruling I missed that prohibits this.

Second, if it's not illegal for me to transport a (cased) shotgun in either my saddle bags or in a backpack, does anyone know if the H&R series of single shot shotguns break down? I had a Tamer for a while, and that one didn't, and the H&R website doesn't say. Or, does anyone know of some relatively common, inexpensive shotguns that break down?

Thanks.

[VikesFan1]

If I'm not mistaken, it's legal to transport a shotgun uncased as long as you are on your way to a hunting site and you are outside of a couple of the metro counties. I know that wasn't exactly your question but it may help answer it... and maybe someone can confirm it with a link or something as I'm on my way out the door.

[Holland&Holland]

I would assume that if you do not consider your tamer to be breakdownable then you would not consider ther rest of their line to be so. I have never had the tamer (so maybe their is a different system but knowing this brand I would doubt it) but have had many of the H&R and NewEngland firearms pardner and topper series of shotguns. To break them down there is a single screw that must be removed. After that is does come apart quite easily. Typicaly do not break them down execpt for an extensive cleaning as it is removing a screw, not like liftig a catch on a double. However with a standard phillips screw driver you could break down any of thier single shot shotguns easily.

If you wanted to view the process before purchase I could show you on one of mine. I currently have 5 that use this method in my gun cabinet.

[sochr000]

I figured that's what the screw was for, but yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of your typical double, I know my dad has an old (I think it's an Iver-Johnson) that has the same thing, so was hoping that some other single had the same system.

[Norsesmithy]

H&R/NEF pattern single shots do break down. You need a phillips head screwdriver, unless you've got a sling stud instead of a fore end screw.

Unscrew the fore end screw, take off fore end, unlatch barrel and lift apart.

Or you could get an 1898 pattern Winchester Pump (interrupted thread take down version of the 1897).

Either way, 18.5 inch barrel or go home.

[DeanC]

Sounds like a double gun would break down easier than an H&R. Then you can at least appear like you're not a ground-swatter.

[sochr000]

The only problem I have with bringing a double along is, they're (typically) either too expensive, or one of those "coach" guns. The coach guns have some pretty short barrels, thus they tend to be louder than I personally care for, and most doubles are too spendy for me to throw in a gun sock, then stuff in a saddle bag. I should probably just start pawn-shopping for some old beater, either that or get a youth 870, they break down pretty small.

[monschman]

That mossburg breaks down prettysmall and easily, 12ga may not be what you are looking for though

[Belgiboy]

I don't think the single shot, break open guns are very well suited for grousehunting, at least not the grouse hunting I'm used to. Consider this, hunting grouse is covering a lot of difficult terrain, clambering over rocks and fallen down timber etc. How are you going to carry your shotgun? A break open like you describe has an external hammer that needs to be cocked. If a bird flushes while you're in the thick stuff, you have no time to cock the hammer and shoot. I definately would advise against walking around with the hammer cocked because, if you're anything like me, you will go on your face at least a couple of times. Not a good situation with a ready to shoot shotgun in your arms... The single shot guns that I'm familiar with do not have a safety. I don't know about the H&R you are looking at. If it does have a safety and you can carry your shotgun cocked and locked so to speak, then go for it. Cheap is good because grousehunting tends to add some scratches and dings to the finish of your gun.

Don't overestimate the loudness of the shots. Me and most people I know will hunt grouse with no 8 or no 7.5 target loads and those are pretty mellow on the ears, especially in 20 ga. My brother in law uses a short Remington 870 Marine and he is deadly with that thing. Personally I suck with a pump gun, so I use a Franchi 620 semi-auto which breaks down really easy too. Just my $0.02.

[realtor_packing_heat]

First, I am hoping to do a little bit of grouse hunting this year while on my motorcycle

Like this?

[DeanC]

Schroo - find yourself a Stevens 311. I got one at Bill's last year for $200-250. It's all you need.

Well, wait a sec, that one still needs a slotted screwdriver to take down, but that's just to remove the forearm.

[mitchx3]

Rossi has the same takedown system as H&R but also has a manual safety if that's what you are into.
http://www.rossiusa.com/product-list.cfm?category=10

[rugersol]

or one of those "coach" guns.

I used to own a couple of them ... bought 'em 'fore I ever heard of SASS ... just 'cause they were so cool.

Ended up shooting SASS ... used one. Shot a few thousand rounds thru it ... and ultimately broke it. Tried to swap the receiver from the other one (long story), and that broke the other one.

Switched to a '97.

'Fore all that, I shot a few grouse with the Coach gun ... worked real good! Don't recall any issues with "loudness".

If I thought I was gonna shoot some grouse again, I'd probly pick up 'nother Coach gun ... maybe 20ga ... jest 'cause we got a MEC 600 Jr. for 20ga, now.

Had a Uplander too, for a while ... had a single-trigger ... didn't work for ****. Sent it back ... they said they fixed it ... they didn't ... nothin' but double-triggers for me, from now on ... in cheap doubles.

Take-down was just a little tab on the forearm.

[Srigs]

Nothing wrong with a used SXS with shorter barrels for grouse hunting. You don't get many 40-50 yard shots through the trees.

I have found 20", 24" and 26" SXSs for 300 or under a number of times in the last few years.

The other way is a Mossberg 500 with the barrel out of it is very short so a 18.5" or 20" barrel works great for grouse.

[1911fan]

A youth model 870 with an adult stock is a great grouse gun in 20. easy to cart about too and it takes one theaded fitting to pull them apart for transport, and its only about 30 inches long when its broken down. undo the barrel nut, slip off hte barrel and its good to go. just as easy to reassemble.