KYWindage 
Group: 2013 CONTRIBUTING MEMBER
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky
Posts: 424
Joined: Jan. 2007
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Posted on: Feb. 26 2012,8:09 |
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I too purchased a BUL when they first came out, in 12 gauge. In Europe this gun is known as ""Beccaccia" which is woodcock in Italian, and was designed for rough shooting the larger European bird. In 12 gauge it handles much like a lightweight double, either O/U or SBS, and for bad country hunting, is about ideal.
Here in Kentucky it is my goto grouse gun in the rugged cliff section of the Cumberland Plateau. The area is steep, rugged, rocky and slippery, and covered with rhododendron and Mountain Laurel thickets. For years I hunted this country with my 20 gauge Beretta 686 20 (which has been refinished twice), but realized the 12 gauge was more suitable for the longer, cross-drainage shooting which occurs in this country. It seem the birds either get up under your feet or they flush at 35-40 yards. In the small bores I always used cylinder or IC/Full, but with the 12 I can use more open chokes with heavier loads. I first used a 12 gauge Beretta Ultralite but when I lost it in a fire, replaced it with the BUL.
My wife has a 20 gauge Montefeltro with 26 inch barrel which handles much like my 20 686. I can't imagine the 20 gauge Benelli with a shorter magazine and 24 inch barrel as it would be very much on the whippy side. OK for brush quail and woodcock where you poke and point but not much else. On the other hand, the 12 gauge BUL seems to be a darn good rough country upland gun and works for jump shooting wildfowl and turkey hunting too. After acquiring my BUL, I gave my old M1 Super90 duck and turkey gun to my stepson.
I have some fine SXS doubles which I love to use in Wisconsin and other flat-land venues, but when the country or weather gets rough, I leave them back at camp.
If you are thinking 12 gauge, the BUL is great. If you want a 20, IMHO the Montefeltro 26 or 28 is a better choice.
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I would rather miss a grouse while walking than kill a duck from a freezing blind.[B]
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