picking shot size
- Thread starter drache
- Start date
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
I generally shoot 6's myself. They have more knocdown power for longer shots and anchor birds well. I have shot #7.5's too but by god, you'll get lots in the breast compared with a 6, and 6's are easier to find to dig out. Many times they continue on through where 7.5's tend to stay in and drag in lots of feathers with them. Just my .02 worth.
Suka
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I always used #6 for partrige/grouse, #4 for ducks and pheasant, and #2 for geese.
Only once I used a trap load from a buddy when I ran out hunting partrige. One shot, 4 partrige. Sorta took the fun out of it.
Only once I used a trap load from a buddy when I ran out hunting partrige. One shot, 4 partrige. Sorta took the fun out of it.
If you want another challenge try #4 on clays, you'll see how good your aim really is.
CoryTheCowboy
CGN Regular
I use #6 lead for grouse and snowshoe hare
12g is a lot of gun for grouse... it doesn't take much to knock them down.... but anyhow, just regular trap loads will do.
meantime, you better get some more shotguns.... 20g and .410 for starters, then a 28g, and repeat as necessary in semi-auto, and side by side.
meantime, you better get some more shotguns.... 20g and .410 for starters, then a 28g, and repeat as necessary in semi-auto, and side by side.
I technically own a single shot 12 gauge cooey as well as a .410 although they are in my father's name. They used to belong to my grandfather. Besides shooting a grouse on the wing with a .22 isn't the easiest.
canadian hunter312
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County
i wouldnt use anything smaller than 6's unless you like picking shot out of your meat. as previously mentioned the smaller shot will often get stuck in the bird rather than pass through like larger shot. grouse are decent sized birds so you dont need a ton of tiny pellets smacking the birds when less pellets larger in size will do the job better.
i usually whack most of my grouse with 4's or 5's with mod choke as thats what i use for squirrel and rabbit as well. i cant even remember the last time i used anything smaller than 6's for hunting. the larger shot packs a little more punch for the longer shots. if its in close just lead the bird a bit more so you only catch him with the outer edge of the pattern.
i miss the days of blasting a couple hundred rounds every weekend for a couple years. it allowed me to get a little too good with my 870...if it was in range it was dead
i usually whack most of my grouse with 4's or 5's with mod choke as thats what i use for squirrel and rabbit as well. i cant even remember the last time i used anything smaller than 6's for hunting. the larger shot packs a little more punch for the longer shots. if its in close just lead the bird a bit more so you only catch him with the outer edge of the pattern.
i miss the days of blasting a couple hundred rounds every weekend for a couple years. it allowed me to get a little too good with my 870...if it was in range it was dead
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
For grouse and ptarmigan I prefer low brass #4s as they tend not to tear up the birds so badly as the smaller shot with denser patterns. Truth be told I prefer to shoot them with a rifle.
Yup and a good way to get yourself tossed out of a lot of shotgun ranges.
Read the range rules where you shoot, before trying this stunt.
Most inspected and regulated trap, skeet, or sporting clay facilites have rules about maximum shot size allowed. Ususally #7-1/2.
As for grouse, I'd be patterning my shotgun to see what patterns best, be it 7.5's, 6's, 5's or 4's.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Grouse & Woodcock ... 1 oz. of 8's. Rarely (if ever) get a shot beyond 25 yards.
Cylinder & Improved cylinder.
Cylinder & Improved cylinder.
I prefer with a .22 myself but if Im off hiking I want something that works for grouse and bear (if need be). I've come upon a bear now twice in the past two months and even with the bear bells Im wearing the bloody things have started walking TOWARDS me with their heads tilted sideways like puppy dogs. It gets a little unnerving.
I technically own a single shot 12 gauge cooey as well as a .410 although they are in my father's name. They used to belong to my grandfather. Besides shooting a grouse on the wing with a .22 isn't the easiest.
Drache, htting a grouse on the wing with a 22 is a tremendous feat! I was taught at a very early age, like 12 years old, to shoot grouse in the head or neck with a 22, on the ground. I think this is the best way there is to shoot grouse.
I consider grouse to be the hardest of any upland game bird to hit on the wing with a shotgun.
