shot size for ruffed grouse

Scout Rifleman said:
Lift the bead just abve the little bugger's head and he'll pin him in the head with fringe of the pattern. No broken teeth! 20 or 12 gauge, forget the 410
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I just bought me a 16 gauge ... should be half descent considering it's right in between lol

I second forgetting .410 ... never could hit anything with 'em. But the problem there might be between my boots and the trigger.
 
Nine said:
I like #2 & #4 shot myself, but keep in mind I use a 14" barreled shotgun.
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thats what I use too. just don't bother with any longer shots. :D

I really don't like pickign shot out of my meal, and the wife won't cook or eat those little 'hairy chickens' as she calls them, unless I have cleaned them and removed any shot and have given my gaurentee that they are shot free :rolleyes:
 
arancio said:
I hate biting down on shot. #4's always end up against bone.
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Can't say I have ever had a pellet stick with #4, your problem is that your aiming to low, put the bead about 1-2 inches above the head, that way you wont have any in your breast meat. I guess it depends on what choke your using and load size as well.
 
Some one else made the comment already.....


In use 20ga mostly for birds... I find the 12ga to (on occasion) be alittle much...


lighter shot like a 7 1/2 or even 8.... but once the birds start to adapt to the cold weather i might start rummaging the bag for some heavier stuff... Usually 6's
 
Also... 410 is fine for grouse.........

the true measure for caliber selection is one own accuracy/ profishancy(Foniks hahaha)

Those who talk about hunting grouse with a pellet gun make me laugh.... Hardley even a gun but if you can reliably pull off the shots then they benifit from the massive advantage of not scare ing away larger game
 
Nothing wrong with 7.5's or 6's on the birds, but
I like # 5 in heavy loads from an open bore, especially with rabbits in the same general area.

I could live with #5 lead only, for all the small game and birds.
No lead to chew on, and good killing energy with a lot less holes than the 6's, 7's or 8's.:D
 
^ when they make ( or one can get) a reliable 17HMR in the format of a Ruger 10-22...... Well lets just say no rabbit or chicken is safe in my backyard
 
northwoodslivin said:
Can't say I have ever had a pellet stick with #4, your problem is that your aiming to low, put the bead about 1-2 inches above the head, that way you wont have any in your breast meat. I guess it depends on what choke your using and load size as well.
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I've never found more than 3 or 4 pellets in a bird thus far. In the early days I used a full choke .410; in later years a cylinder bore 12 muzzle loader.
 
7mmlefty said:
Nothing wrong with 7.5's or 6's on the birds, but
I like # 5 in heavy loads from an open bore, especially with rabbits in the same general area.

I could live with #5 lead only, for all the small game and birds.
No lead to chew on, and good killing energy with a lot less holes than the 6's, 7's or 8's.:D
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A number of years ago I picked up an early and unused Ruger Red Label 20ga, to use as my 'rainy day' Grouse gun. For my 'sunny day' Grouse gun:redface: I have an old light weight straight stocked English double 12ga. It has 2 1/2" chambers but an English gunsmith said trap loads in it would be fine:yingyang:. Just the other day I lucked into a case + of 2 1/2" Eley Grand Prix, in #5:D. How sweet it is:). Hello Mr. Ruff Grouse;).
 
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