Are 7.5 shot Target Loads ok for Grouse?

[tnsaf]

Hunting with a smooth bore shotgun. Just wondering if my 7 1/2 target loads will be okay or if I should buy some game loads. Thanks guys. New hunter here.

 

[freddyfour]

That will work just fine.

 

[korky]

They will work just fine.

 

[hoytcanon]

Yes...

 

[tnsaf]

Would there be much of a difference with game loads?

 

[444shooter]

I used #8 in my 20ga, so should be fine.

 

[hoytcanon]

Heavy game loads are what I use in the late season on pheasant and sharpies, but rarely required for ruffed/spruce grouse.

 

[JungleCat7]

Personally I prefer #4,#5 or #6
Bob

 

[tnsaf]

Thanks guys. I have never hunted grouse before and will be going out soon. I have tried to familiarize myself with all the rules and regs by reading the 2015 Ontario huntings regulations summary. I had no idea if I was allowed to use lead shot or if I have to use steel shot. But i've gathered (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that I can use lead shot and steel shot is only necessary if you are hunting ducks. Also, in the wmu I will be in there is no deer, elk, or moose season open. So does that mean I do not have to wear hunter orange? Thanks for helping me out guys.

 

[skneub]

worked for us this weekend

12 1/2 " grizz

 

[hawk-i]

I like #6 for grouse but yes 7 1/2 will work too.

 

[j_06]

No! They're no good for grouse at all, kills em stone dead.

 

[blasted_saber]

You only need nontoxic shot for waterfowl. Rabbits and grouse can be hunted with lead.

7.5 is a fine grouse size. Go with an improved choke if you can

Thanks guys. I have never hunted grouse before and will be going out soon. I have tried to familiarize myself with all the rules and regs by reading the 2015 Ontario huntings regulations summary. I had no idea if I was allowed to use lead shot or if I have to use steel shot. But i've gathered (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that I can use lead shot and steel shot is only necessary if you are hunting ducks. Also, in the wmu I will be in there is no deer, elk, or moose season open. So does that mean I do not have to wear hunter orange? Thanks for helping me out guys.

 

[safehunter]

hunter orange is a must still
7.5 is a fine grouse load

 

[Grouse Man]

Target loads work just fine on ruffs. Use as open a choke as you have available. And don't shoot them on the ground, there's no sport or skill in that. They deserve better than that.

 

[yomomma]

I buy the bulk packs from either WalMart or Cambodian Tyre. Cheap, cheap and they work.

 

[hoytcanon]

... And don't shoot them on the ground, there's no sport or skill in that. They deserve better than that.

Personally I prefer #4,#5 or #6
Bob

#4/#5... not a wingshooter... 99% of NorOnt small gamers are pot shooters... the don't give a flying fig for the sport of wingshooting.

Personally, I vastly prefer to run our springers on birds, and will even jump spruce grouse.... hoping the shot will beat them to the nearest branch.

 

[hammering hank]

Works fine although later season you may want the game loads when there is less cover and they bust ferther out.

 

[Northman999]

I regularly use the cheapest target loads I can find for hunting small game...

 

[Big Bad]

Shot size 7 1/2 is perfect for grouse. I subscribe to the Burton Spiller school of thought that it's the number of hits that count with a bird like grouse, you need to bring it down or it'll just fly off with one #4 (say) in its belly and die later, slowly and painfully. Spiller was the uber grouse expert and actually favoured size 8 (which was the smallest he could buy and hard to find back in his day) and talked about size 9, but that might be going a bit too far.