What's your go-to grouse hunting setup?

I’ve had more chances at grouse when moose or deer hunting over the years, years ago we carried .22 handguns ( legally) for chickens but that option disappeared in the mid 70’s I think. As a senior senior now, birds are more my size than moose and I love a light responsive English side by side with at least one open choked barrel- rarely get a second shot. Mostly though for the last 40+ years I’m carrying my Heym Model 22S in 7x57R for moose or deer and the 20 gauge shotgun barrel has a Kreighoff .22 LR insert for birds and bunnies. Many a feed of grouse in moose camp, usually done as coq au vin. Other birds, other guns. My new to me Westley Richards 180 year old percussion double 16 and the sweet little Westley Richards made 20 gauge side by that is presently undergoing metamorphosis will get carried next year.
 

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I only use the rifle barrel with the scope which is sighted in for my favourite load. The shotgun barrel gets used with shot and shoots to point of aim, don’t remember ever trying slugs in it although I’ve occasionally carried a couple. Usually the shotgun barrel has the Kreighoff .22 cal insert installed, it is fully adjustable ( although a slow trial and error process) for both windage and elevation and is zeroed to the scope at 20 yards. This insert can be removed or installed in seconds with the provided key and maintains it’s zero every time. This is the superior quality insert and it’s very accurate although only about a foot long, it will stay on a dime all day at 20 yards with it’s preferred ammo. Although I’ve used other rifles for different specific hunting applications this combo has proved to be perfect for me for general moose and deer hunting with a side order of grouse.
 
Falconflyer said:
Sweet! I didn't know those inserts could be adjusted to point of aim, that's a very useful feature!
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These inserts aren’t a basic cheap insert, they’re a a typical German piece of precision equipment and they cost as much as a good rifle. This setup has been excellent for me going on 40 years and I’ve never found anything better for my purposes. A couple of deer, a few moose and a truckload of grouse. I also took this rig for sheep, goat and caribou a couple of times because it’s very light as well as accurate, resulted in a few feeds of ptarmigan. The ever present grizzlies and wear and tear on equipment convinced me that perhaps more gun was prudent for mountain hunting.
 
before I got the 410 it was the time of the 12G
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Waterfowler said:
One would think.....
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Not necessarily. The few times I went goose hunting with my 9GA SXS cap lock, the geese would come in and both blinds that we were using would erupt in gunfire when the geese were about 60 yards out. I would sit there all day and never fire a shot because the geese never got anywhere near close enough. Haven't hunted geese since. Besides, Lead for geese was outlawed shortly after so that was the end for me anyways.
 
Licensed to kill said:
Not necessarily. The few times I went goose hunting with my 9GA SXS cap lock, the geese would come in and both blinds that we were using would erupt in gunfire when the geese were about 60 yards out. I would sit there all day and never fire a shot because the geese never got anywhere near close enough. Haven't hunted geese since. Besides, Lead for geese was outlawed shortly after so that was the end for me anyways.
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You express sir a viable scenario with your chosen equipment.
But we were commenting on another gentleman saying he used a 410 on Waterfowl 60 yards.

Myself I have done odd things with a rifle, even stretchable shots with a 12 gauge and turkey choke.
But I don't try the limits of the sub gauges, and certainly never with a 410.

Be well
 
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Even my turkey choke in 410 with a red dot I can't get killable patterns at 60 yards. 40 I can. Tss shot has really increased the effective range of subgauges but I've yet to play with it. 60 yards with #6 shot in a 410 I'd love to know the load
 
Brutus said:
You express sir a viable scenario with your chosen equipment.
But we were commenting on another gentleman saying he used a 410 on Waterfowl 60 yards.

Myself I have done odd things with a rifle, even stretchable shots with a 12 gauge and turkey choke.
But I don't try the limits of the sub gauges, and certainly never with a 410.

Be well
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LOL, see what happens when joining in a conversation in the middle. My bad. Thank you for clearing that up. Much appreciated.
 
This is my 12g 1938 Belgian guild. Weighs 6 pounds 4 ounces, 28" barrels and choked IC & Mod. Bought it for $325. The metal, engraving & CCH was/is perfect, but I had to refinish the wood.

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I used a browning sa22 for years before getting a take down 1022. Find it not as accurate. Favorite is probably my 20ga stoeger coach, as it is easy to load and unload and gives me a shot if they flush.
 
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