Grouse --- what kind of 12gauge do you use?

For flying grouse, 12 ga means very open choke (IC, skeet, or even Open cyl), and light loads of small shot.

The problem with really short barrels is that they are far too easy to stop once your brain says 'pull the trigger'. If you can maintain your swing and lead, that's all that matters.
 
12 gauge 870, 28 inch barrel with mod choke. I also use #4 Winchester bulk pack cause that is what I have. Out of the two birds I got (only went once and it was a little early) they worked fine, only had one pellet in the meat and that was from the one I shot a little low at.
 
I have been using a Remington 870 spl-field in 20 ga. with a 21" barrel for grouse for over 20 yrs now, & it is the best little, light handling 5-1/2 lb. shotgun I have ever had! They also came with interchangable chokes which is a great feature.
In a 12 ga. they are only 1/2 lb heavier & would be sweet as well.....
myguns017.jpg
 
For wingshooting grouse I use a 12 gauge, 28" sxs choked skeet and light modified. In the early season when flushes are close I use 7/8s of an ounce of hard #7.5 shot. As the terrain opens up I might switch to 1 ounce #6 in the second barrel.

If you are shooting them on the ground then it doesn't matter what you use.
 
ruffbird said:
i have been using a remington 870 spl-field in 20 ga. With a 21" barrel for grouse for over 20 yrs now, & it is the best little, light handling 5-1/2 lb. Shotgun i have ever had! They also came with interchangable chokes which is a great feature.
In a 12 ga. They are only 1/2 lb heavier & would be sweet as well.....
myguns017.jpg
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sweet looking 870!
 
Grouse Man said:
For flying grouse, 12 ga means very open choke (IC, skeet, or even Open cyl), and light loads of small shot.
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I agree, depending on the time of year and the amount of foliage. I tend to start the season out with a cylinder choke and work my way to skeet and then improved cylinder as the season progresses. It is my experience that most people hunt grouse with chokes that are too tight. Just my thoughts.

Regards,

Chizzy
 
I've used 18.5" and #6 shot quite a bit, but I was always finding it to be good, but not great. In areas where birds were hunted a bit more, they tended to get away just out of range. A 22" - 24" bbl is ideal in my mind. Cylinger bore.
 
I use either my 870 which is a 30" full choke bbl... I use that 'cause it's the only choke I have.
Or I use my Grizzly, or 28" O/U 20ga... Modified and Cylinder. Usually 7.5 shot.
 
cdngunner said:
What ever I happen to have in my hand. The birds don't care much by what they get shot with
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Well, there's dead and edible, and dead and pulverized featherburger. That's the difference. I've seen guys unleash #2s from Full choked 12 ga. guns at birds 10 yards away - what was the point?
 
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