grouse hunting gun?

[Brutus]

I shoot an ithaca model 37 feather weight in 16 gauge it's smooth and wicked fast. If you like old school and can find one they are fantastic old shottys.

^I have one of these, but in 20 gauge made in 1971. I concur it's a fast handling shotgun indeed.

If I don't use it, the O/U SKB IC/Mod also in 20 gauge is carried in it's place.

 

[blasted_saber]

Then why not get a 10 gauge? You must be compensating for something....

Sorry, just never saw the need, the .410 works so well as is.

This all depends on where you are. The OP is in southern ON, where grouse flush very easily and most shots are on the wing and at a distance that .410 isnt reliable. Case in point my wife flushed 10 grouse this past Saturday and all but one she didnt even see. They all flushed out of sight through brush. The one she did see was a split second at about 25m.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

I agree with Blasted_saber, you hear the flush but don't get the safety off, many others flush at 40 yards plus and are out of range. I would be eating zero grouse if I used a .410

 

[LarryG]

best way I've found is a very tightly choked 12 gauge with a red dot. figure out where it's patterning and aim just above. works like a charm out to 25 yards. No meat damage every time. I think I'm a decent shot, but I've missed more than a few grouse head shot attempts with a .22 rimfire.

 

[6MT]

Break action double barrel .410 ftw!

 

[catnthehatt]

I normally hunt ruffies with a pointer so even in very tight bush they tend to hold instead of flushing
I use either a 28 SxS or a hammer double in. 12 bore
Cat

 

[aaron v]

I used the 22 exclusively for chickens until last year. I bought a 20 g and it worked pretty good. After playing with a few options the best I've got going and have seen so far is my rem 1100 with a 22" barrel. Full choke with winchester #4 patterns great out to 50 yards without touching the meat. I haven't tried further then that.

 

[cote_b]

I use a good ol' single shot Savage in 28ga. 28 is ideal for grouse. I used to use a 20 and a .410. Got a 28 and sold the other two a month later. Nothing beats it.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

As I am in BC, I use a CZ 452 scout with open sites to great success. Looking to scope it down the road just for fun.

Put a nice scope on 'er. These little buggers are deadly with decent glass.

I've taken well over 90 percent of my grouse with .22's and the remainder with 20 & 12 ga.

I use this Scout as well as my old Cooey 39 for grouse and other small game.
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