Grouse/Partridge Shot Size

[Lotro]

Hey Folks,

I'm pretty new here, and to hunting in general. I've only shot one bird (but I've shot at a few more and missed - HA!) and I'm wondering what the more experienced grouse/partridge hunters have to say about shot size.

I chase birds with a .410 for now (I like the less recoil) and the guys at the gunshop told me to shoot with number 4 shot, but other people say shoot with 7 1/2 shot. The 4 shot recommendation was based on the extra foliage in the trees during this early part of the season, and the 7 1/2 shot reasoning is not to spoil any breast meat.

I'm a bad (new?) shot, what do you think is better and why?

If this should be posted elsewhere, please let me know and I'll move it or take it down.

 

[1963beretta]

6 shot is my go to upland shot size. 7 1/2 is good as well

 

[Falconflyer]

Personally I like copper plated 6's or 5's. The copper plating doesn't drag the feathers into the meat as bad as lead.

 

[FLHTCUI]

If you can wing shoot grouse with a .410 your doing great.
min. 20 gauge for wing shooting and 5 or 6's and 7-1/2 will do the job as well.
Rob

 

[BlackRam]

In the .410 I have always used the 7 1/2 shot, as that was what Grandpa started us with. Worked great on the grouse and snowshoe hares I harvested with it over the past 40 years.
Can see where others are seeing benefits from 5 or 6 shot.

 

[john-brennan]

#6 always for upland game for me

 

['Boo]

#7 1/2 or #8 for ruffed grouse and ptarmigan. #6 for hares and sharptail that tend to flush wild.

 

[Brutus]

#7 1/2 or #8 for ruffed grouse and ptarmigan. #6 for hares and sharptail that tend to flush wild.

Pretty much my standard too.
7 1/2 shot in a 2.5 inch shell with full choke hares and ruffies 410.

If I go sharptails it's a 20 gauge with Prairie Storm #6.
Lots of long range poke even with IC/Mod.

 

[owensgreg]

I strictly use a 22 for birds (headshots only).. no pulling feathers from meat or destroyed meat.. even a 410 can completely destroy a bird if not careful with any shot size.. a number 6 or7/7.5 will do just fine.. lots of birds around here you just gotta get out and find them... I'm also from the sault and usually get atleast a couple every time I'm out.. numbers are still looking food in the area.. a little extra advice would be to stay away from a certain lgs personally had a few bad experiences and have heard some horror stories from good friends.. good luck

 

[hawkmp9]

I’m a #5 shot size guy. 6 is a bit small and 4 is a bit big for me but either work.

I tend to aim for the base on the neck (or the head). The idea is to aim a bit high as to catch the head with a few pellets on the outside of your pattern.

 

[legi0n]

#7.5 here but it's mainly because that's what I found for hand-loading

 

[Butcherbill]

Keep in mind that I use a 12g for upland bird and critters and not a .410, for grouse I use #7.5 or #6. For hares I use #5 or #4 sometimes, all have knocked them down hard. I think choke constriction is almost more important than shot size if you’re in the general #5 to #7.5 range, all of those shot sizes will kill a grouse. Hell I have friends that have thrown sticks at them and come home with meat lol.

 

[nowarningshot]

4 shot would have only a small number of pellets, with the small 410 hull.

I always thought of 7.5 for 410, 6 for 20 ga.

 

[9.3mauser]

Pattern your gun. Use the largest shot that still provides enough pattern density that a bird can't slip through wounded or unscathed.

 

[shoota]

7.5 20 gauge is my go to, they aren't big birds or hard to kill, I try to go for head shots if I can catch them on the ground or in the trees.

 

[Lotro]

I wish I was a good enough shot to use a .22. I’m working on it!

a little extra advice would be to stay away from a certain lgs personally had a few bad experiences and have heard some horror stories from good friends.. good luck

Care to explain “lgs”? Feel free to PM me, I’m new to this, I only want good experiences!

 

[FLHTCUI]

I wish I was a good enough shot to use a .22. I’m working on it!



Care to explain “lgs”? Feel free to PM me, I’m new to this, I only want good experiences!

lgs...
long gun store.....

 

[tigrr]

4's, 5's and 6's here too. I don't want pellets in the bird I want then to pass through. Most are head shots.

 

['Boo]

I think if someone is ground-sluicing birds I'd doesn't make a bit of difference what shot size is used. It would be similar to a debate about which rifle cartridge and bullet would be best if someone decided to use his moose rifle to behead a grouse or two.

 

[Eagleye]

#7 1/2 or #8 for ruffed grouse and ptarmigan. #6 for hares and sharptail that tend to flush wild.

This!! I have shot a truckload of grouse [Including blue Grouse] with #7½ or #8 shot. Dave.