Favorite Grouse Gun

For ruffies my favorite is a 12 gauge single barrel game gun made by J W Tolley a little over 100 years ago. Just a bit over 5 lbs. Very easy to carry. I shoot low pressure light loads through it so recoil isn't a problem. Not the right gun for sharp tails though!

Tolley003.jpg
 
I used to use my Mossberg 535 pump 12 gauge for chickens all the time. Where I am the brush is usually pretty thick, and it's nice to be able to mow through some of the undergrowth.

Lately I've been using my Ruger SR-22. I have a 1.5-5 power scope on it and it's actually pretty accurate. Its nice for some of those longer shots that the 12 gauge would have trouble with (if you care about pellets in the breast that is). It does suffer in thick cover though. Once I finally got the hang of the .22, the shotgun guys couldn't keep up.

But now that I have an O/U 12 gauge, I might have to give it some action this season too...
 
I have a stevens 311 in 12 gauge that has killed more small game than any other gun I have ever owned, except maybe for chipmunks with my pellet gun. Its good because its tight in these woods up here,you dont get long shots on game and the grouse up here are dumb, if their buddy gets shot they will often walk over towards him so you get to use that second barrel!
 
canvasback said:
For ruffies my favorite is a 12 gauge single barrel game gun made by J W Tolley a little over 100 years ago. Just a bit over 5 lbs. Very easy to carry. I shoot low pressure light loads through it so recoil isn't a problem. Not the right gun for sharp tails though!

Tolley003.jpg
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Now that is a real beauty. I shoot a Thomas Bland SxS at grouse these days.
 
I've been shooting my old Browning Lightning 12ga since I started hunting and wouldn't trade it for anything else for grouse hunting, but moving onto the 17hmr for a little more challenge
 
Grouse are part of deer hunting. I don't hunt for them separately, they are not that common where I hunt. I use a brno 584 12 gauge/308. Out to 30 yds, just hold above the head. With the full choke, nothing hits the breast.
I also have a hammond game getter that could be used (never needed to) to keep the noise level below .22 level.
 
canvasback said:
For ruffies my favorite is a 12 gauge single barrel game gun made by J W Tolley a little over 100 years ago. Just a bit over 5 lbs. Very easy to carry. I shoot low pressure light loads through it so recoil isn't a problem. Not the right gun for sharp tails though!

Tolley003.jpg
Click to expand...

That gun is beautiful!

I have been more inclined to buying SxS's lately and using them. There seems to be some cool nostalgia in hunting with one of those.
 
caboverbobby said:
I've never seen one of those before.... could you share the details about it?
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Ruger 10/22, receiver stripped and polished. Stainless 11.5" ER Shaw barrel. PC rail, Leupold FX-II 2.5X20mm with low PRW rings. VQ extended bolt handle, extractor, bolt buffer and hex take down screw installed. The stock is a sanded down butler creek target stock. I love this thing, a joy to carry and if I miss it's my fault. :D
 
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Give me my Browning Citori 20 gauge with a pocket full of Remington Nitro Express 2-3/4 inch mags with 1-1/8 oz. of #6's and I'm good to spend a long day tromping through the October woods and potting whatever flys or runs. The loading is a bit heavy according to conventional wisdom, but it's served me well over the years, especially when the birds start flushing wild down the cutlines, or in a year when the hares start showing up in abundance. To keep it simple, it's all I ever shoot out of that gun once the fall season opens.
 
My #1 choice for Grouse, Ruffs and Blues especially, my 12ga. SxS English double

JSBorehamEnglishSxS25in12ga.jpg


#2, especially for days here on the 'wet coast' during days when 'liquid sunshine' is the condition of the day, my 20ga. mag Ruger Red Label OU

ModelRedLabelRugerOU20gaMag.jpg


And, #3, for walks on old logging skid roads in river bottem areas when it's a little wet & breezy and when you may run into Ruffs and/or a Deer, my BrnoZH 304 7x57R/12ga.

ModelZH-300BrnoCombo7x5712gaSkeetba.jpg
 
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