.410, 12G, or .22 for Ruffed Grouse ?

Another vote for 20 gauge. I honestly find it hard to believe that your local store stocks .410 but not 20 gauge. Only the 12 gauge is more popular than the 20.

If you really want to use something on your list, then I'd go with the 12.
 
12 gauge all the way! Peels heads off, mows through any light cover as well as heavy cover sometimes. Plus ammo is so cheap its incredible.

I always thought it was terribly funny when that chicken thought he was so smart and hid behing a poplar pole:D Sure showed him!
 
Potshot21 said:
12 gauge all the way! Peels heads off, mows through any light cover as well as heavy cover sometimes. Plus ammo is so cheap its incredible.

I always thought it was terribly funny when that chicken thought he was so smart and hid behing a poplar pole:D Sure showed him!
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Ok, so say I go 12gauge, what shot do I go with, smaller, or larger shot. we have a lot of pine and oak around here, so blast through everything or more finesse. Now, I'm a decent marksman, but don't have much experience with shotgun, and less hunting experience. What would be the best choke for me ?
 
When I was younger, I loved going grouse hunting with my single shot .410, mainly because it was all I had. I graduated to a 20g (that I still use) but if it's .410 or 12g, my vote is with the 12.

It's really all about what you have and what to spend money on.
 
glasschicken said:
Ok, so say I go 12gauge, what shot do I go with, smaller, or larger shot. we have a lot of pine and oak around here, so blast through everything or more finesse. Now, I'm a decent marksman, but don't have much experience with shotgun, and less hunting experience. What would be the best choke for me ?
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Pretty hard to go wrong with modified or even better at close up, improved cylinder for upland hunting. In fact a dependable SxS or O/U gives one instant selection of both at your fingertips. Most manufacturers now offer removeable chokes in sets of 5 these days, for two barrelled guns.
I use #6 lead shot for both grouse & rabbits in the boreal forest. One could probably choose #4 to 7 1/2 shot and still fill one's game bag, within reasonable ranges of course. I would say my average shot was at about 24-26 yards, with extremes of 4 yards and 35 yards. I would say the most important quality of your shotgun is it's fit to you and it's natural pointability on live moving game.
Success is then more sure to follow. That, between the gun hands balance for you, is key IMHO.

I'm sure other more experienced shotgunners than myself, will pipe in here really soon.
 
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Grouse Man said:
Depends - do you shoot grouse on the ground or do you hunt like a man?



(That should do it. :nest: )
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I prefer to hunt like a wimp, grouse taste the same hunted from the ground as in flight I've found.

As for gun/calibre choice? I've shot them with 22l/lr ,22-250 Rem, 348 Win, 356 Win, 303 British,410, 12ga, 20ga, 28ga, 10ga, 177 air rifle/pistol............but I would have to say if I was going to pick one gun for hunting grouse only it would be a 20ga. Plenty of gun and ammo is readily available and MUCH cheaper than 410.
 
You won't be shooting much big game if you stop to shoot grouse with a powder burner.Carry a pellet pistol if you must/can.For ground swatting grouse anything from a pellet rifle /.22 to 28/20 gauge works fine .A .410 isn't the best choice early in the season with foliage still on the trees.............................Harold
 
I have always used a .22 for grouse, but it also depends on what you think you might run into on your hunt.

Left the truck with a .22 a couple years back looking for grouse, had a sub-adult grizz run across the road instead. Might have been in a bit of a jam if buddy boy decided to be unfriendly.

Been taking the 12 for walks.....
 
a .22/410 is nice, but there is nothing like a 12g over/under for upland bird... it is really its place..

anyway, the best grouse defense gun is a 12g :) preferably tacticool, a laser pointer if you dont flush it, is so fun...
 
I've always used a 12 gauge!! Starting to graduate to a 20 due to the lighter weight for a walking gun. Either one though, I think would be a great choice. Just recently bought a Browning BSS 20 gauge sporter (english stock) in 99% condition..:D can't wait till the fall!!! Since this will now be my main upland gun, The 20 gauge citori superlight feather I was gonna get, will now be in 12 gauge...just to switch things up.
 
My brother, father and I used to hunt small game with 12, 20 and 410, but it's 12 only now - the ammo is the most easily available, throws the most lead and is the cheapest. And with light field loads, a kid can shoot it. Kind of a no brainer...
 
a .22/410 is nice, but there is nothing like a 12g over/under for upland bird... it is really its place..
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A 20gauge O/U is just as capable, and with a decent shooter, a 28gauge will also do a great job.Both are lighter to carry than a 12 gauge.
 
Brutus said:
A bit off topic but, this past fall I was deer hunting and I had a 12 gauge with slugs. Long story short, I shot Mr Ruffy @45 yards with 00 buck. (legal in Alberta) R:d:
I lucked out in the flush, & broke only both his wings and his neck, and he crashed doing a 180 into the ground, like a Russian Mig at a Paris Airshow.
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same scenario this deer season 12 gauge 00 buck only my buddy was standing at the bottom off the tree haha. it put a hole about 4 inches deep and around into a solid white pine, there wasnt much left of its head.

i would recomend .410 its small enough that you dont damage the meat but enough shot to get the job done without missin. now your trophy i would advise bringin your .22 on that particular hunt.
 
A 12, 20 or 28 with a nice tight choke will all do the same job up to 30 yards if you know where to hold to take the head off.
Since it has about 1/2 of the shot, the 410 will require a bit more skill to get the same results.
My personal preference is 12 gauge, since it is attached to my .308 (over/under) when I'm out deer hunting.
Misses are rare for me with this setup, whereas with a .22, I have been known to miss a head shot at the same range.
 
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