Upland Game Shotguns

Upland game hunting — pheasant, quail, grouse, chukar, woodcock — demands a different kind of shotgun than waterfowl or turkey work. You're walking all day, covering ground, and mounting the gun quickly on flushing birds at close range. That means light, well-balanced, fast-handling shotguns that won't tire you out over a full day in the field. We stock the full range of upland game shotguns across pump, semi-auto, and over/under configurations.

Read our Upland Game Shotgun Buying Guide ↓

What Makes a Great Upland Gun?

Three qualities define a good upland gun: weight, balance, and handling speed. You'll carry this gun for 8+ hours over rough terrain — every extra pound matters by afternoon. Balance point (where the gun balances between your hands) affects how naturally it swings to a flushing bird. And a well-stocked gun that fits your mount means faster, more instinctive shooting when a rooster flushes at your feet with no warning. This is why serious upland hunters obsess over gun fit far more than hunters who shoot from a blind.

Gauge Selection for Upland

12 gauge is the most versatile, with the widest ammunition selection and the most range on larger birds like pheasants. The tradeoff is weight — 12 gauge guns are heavier, which matters on long days afield.

20 gauge is the upland hunter's favorite gauge for a reason — lighter guns, less recoil, and completely adequate for pheasants, quail, and grouse at normal hunting distances with modern loads. This is our top recommendation for most upland hunters, especially those covering serious mileage.

28 gauge and .410 are the specialty gauges for experienced shotgunners looking for a challenge. Lighter guns, beautiful patterns, but limited range and load selection. Best reserved for close-flushing quail and woodcock.

Action Types for Upland

Over/under is the traditional choice — excellent balance, two choke options, and a classic field aesthetic. The Browning Citori and Beretta A300 are the standard bearers for hunting O/Us.

Semi-auto provides fast follow-up shots and lower recoil for all-day comfort. The Benelli Montefeltro and Mossberg 930 Field are excellent upland semi-autos in a lightweight package.

Pump is the most affordable entry point. The Mossberg 500 Field and Remington 870 Express in 20 gauge make effective and durable upland guns without the premium price tag.

Choke Tubes for Upland

Improved cylinder (IC) and modified are the workhorses for upland hunting. IC for close-flushing birds like quail and woodcock; modified for longer shots on pheasants running in open fields. A set of three tubes (IC, modified, full) covers every upland scenario you'll encounter.

What to Know Before You Buy

  • Gun fit matters more for upland hunting than almost any other shooting discipline — a gun that fits your mount will feel like an extension of your body when a bird flushes.
  • Lighter is not always better — a gun that's too light swings unsteadily and produces more felt recoil. 6–7 lbs is the sweet spot for most 20 gauge upland guns.
  • All shotguns ship to your local FFL dealer. Standard background check procedures apply.

Questions about upland game shotguns? Call us at 800-917-7137 or use our live chat — we're happy to help.