First shotgun recommendation for hunting grouse

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Ottawa76

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Hey folks,

Was hoping to get a few recommendations as to what a good first shotgun would be for grouse hunting and at the range shooting skeet.
I'm thinking 12Ga pump action with interchangeable chokes. I'm not sure on length of shotgun, 3" or 3.5" and what brand etc.
I don't mind spending good money for a quality 'buy once, cry once' shotgun.

Appreciate any help here at all!
Thank you all.
 
Not as experienced as most here on shotguns, but do not believe you will want or need a 3" or 3.5" 12 ga for grouse or skeet.
Would most likely be better served with one in 2 3/4" and 3", should you want the 3" for ducks and geese at some point in the future.
A 20 ga may be even better for your needs.

Hard to beat a Remington 870 with 28" barrels and chokes. Many seem to prefer the older production models versus the later production guns (Winchester, Browning, Ithaca, etc.).
Others can provide other makes/models of quality pumps for you.
 
If you r planning on shooting actual skeet on a sanctioned range then a pump is likely not going to work if your talking back 40 clay shooting then it a pump is fine . A win XP’s or a wingmaster would be the best choice
 
Most important thing for ruffed grouse is an open choke and IC is the all-round ideal. The full chokes on nearly all single barrel older guns (because buyers insisted on them) were the greatest hindrance to hunting success there was.
 
Ottawa76 said:
...I don't mind spending good money for a quality 'buy once, cry once' shotgun.....
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Can you be more specific? Recommendations will vary widely depending on whether you mean $300, $600, or $1500.

You'll have great options available anywhere in this range, especially if you will consider buying used.
 
I'd be looking for an a older Remington Wingmaster, an Ithaca Model 37 or Winchester Model 12, all 3 are older proven designs that have very few issues. Forget about a 3.5 inch chamber, completely unnecessary for grouse or skeet shooting in fact you don't need a 3 inch chamber for that either but some guns will have it and you can still use 2 3/4 inch ammo without problems. If the gun you buy have a fixed full choke then you can always have a gunsmith open it up to improved cylinder for a nominal fee.
 
Post #2 has good advice. Though I spent my grouse hunting days with a 28" full choked, 20 gauge Win. 370 single shot.

Nary a 2 3/4", 7 1/2 shot pellet in the breast, but limited to thick brush ground shots. The norm, in my neck of he woods.
 
For grouse you might want to look at 20 ga

The ammo is a little bit more expensive but that only really matters if you shoot a lot
 
Another vote for the fantastic Ithaca Model 37, though my preference will always be a 16. Incredible value for money in any gauge, very slick action. For grouse, nothing beyond 2 3/4” is needed. And 2 1/2” shells kill them just as dead (and with less recoil).

And at the risk of sounding like a cranky old git, forget all the marketing nonsense about choke. At the distance you will be shooting grouse, with lead, modern shells and plastic wad cups, you aren’t going to see much difference if any. Concentrate on becoming a better shot through technique and practice. Find a gun that fits you and will become part of you, and which will give you real pride of ownership. Start with quality as your first criteria.

Choosing a gun shouldn't be like choosing an iPhone or a pair of trainers. Many here have been shooting their treasured guns for 30-40 years, which is a pretty long relationship (and longer-lasting than some of our marriages, speaking from experience).
 
Where you hunt matters . Someone here might be able to describe the traits that make a good ruff grouse gun for your area. Barrel length, choke and weight are the considerations. Three pages of opinions on our local hunting forum suggested the ultimate grouse gun was a 28gauge S/S and a good dog. Most grouse in BC are taken on the road for that night's pot. 22 being preferred, ideally, a head shot.
 
Pinfire said:
Another vote for the fantastic Ithaca Model 37, though my preference will always be a 16. Incredible value for money in any gauge, very slick action. For grouse, nothing beyond 2 3/4” is needed. And 2 1/2” shells kill them just as dead (and with less recoil).

And at the risk of sounding like a cranky old git, forget all the marketing nonsense about choke. At the distance you will be shooting grouse, with lead, modern shells and plastic wad cups, you aren’t going to see much difference if any. Concentrate on becoming a better shot through technique and practice. Find a gun that fits you and will become part of you, and which will give you real pride of ownership. Start with quality as your first criteria.

Choosing a gun shouldn't be like choosing an iPhone or a pair of trainers. Many here have been shooting their treasured guns for 30-40 years, which is a pretty long relationship (and longer-lasting than some of our marriages, speaking from experience).
Click to expand...

Thank you for bringing up a valid point Pinfire. Although I parrot the cliche of more open chokes, I can honestly say I have taken equal numbers upland game with a full choke & 2 3/4 target loads.
I almost equate the even steven harvests to the slightly longer 28 inch barrel with full choke. Naturally points like a finger that wonderfully plain barrel and bead on my older M37.
 
I have two old buds that have one gun each that they use for everything from clay targets to geese to grouse to deer .One is a browning bps 12ga and the other is a remington 1187 12ga
There are so many choices but I was to have just one first it would have to fit me right most important then have a 3" chamber , 12ga and then choke tubes then there is nothing you cannot hunt or target shoot with the one gun
Cheers
 
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