Grouse/patridge shot size

[arcaner]

I recently been hunting patridge/grouse (but I call them perdrix), anyway, I wanted to know what you other hunter use for shot size ?

I currently use #4 steel shot, I have 2 question ?

- Does the steel is more dangerous to have a ricochet than lead ?
- Should I have #5 or 6 if I change to lead ? (I want to keep a good range)

Note: My score is currently 2 bird with the #4 steel shot, all passthrought and no meat wasted.

 

[MudChucker]

I use the 71/2 "target" loads... I dont think ricochet is an issue.

 

[sherlockbonez]

I use 6-8, what ever target load I have on hand. I rarely use hi brass "game load" on them.

 

[dreamwaters]

I don't think that you have to worry about ricochet (either lead or steel) - just the usual practice of knowing what is downrange and how far before you raise the gun and shoot. I use 6 lead because of dense cover in Nova Scotia, but if it were a bit more open hunting I'd probably pick up 7.5 cheap lead like suggested above and that would do the trick.

 

[Cagunman]

I use 71/2 in a 12ga, I aim at the head, a little high no problem!

 

[the spank]

i use 71/2 in a 12ga, i aim at the head, a little high no problem!

x2.......

 

[srt4u2nv]

yup 2.75" 7 1/2 Target loads or .22lr if you can get them on the ground.

.410's work fantastic too!

 

[blasted_saber]

7 1/2 target loads for me as well.

 

[stuckon308]

7.5, 8 and even some 9's that I reloaded. Only a couple of pellets ever hit their head anyway so I like to have a cloud of death right above/in front of their heads.

 

[stubblejumper]

You don't need anything larger than 7-1/2.The larger shot just reduces the pattern density,which leaves holes in the pattern at longer distances.

 

[albertaal]

trap loads for me in 7 1/2s or high speed winchester 1 ounce loads with 6 shot.

4 shot is way too much.

 

[Until the Angels Fall]

7.5, 8 and even some 9's that i reloaded. Only a couple of pellets ever hit their head anyway so i like to have a cloud of death right above/in front of their heads.

lmao!

 

[DOGHIDE]

7.5 or 8 target loads 1 or 1.125 oz skeet or i.c choke do not use steel shot it will tear them to pieces.

 

[cote_b]

I use no.6, never had a problem. 7 1/2 is perfectly fine too however.

 

[diemaco]

I use #6 lead because I hunt rabbits at the same time.

 

[firejim]

I use #6 lead because I hunt rabbits at the same time.

x 2

 

[Brutus]

I use #6 lead because I hunt rabbits at the same time.

X's 3, Same here........

 

[unstableryan]

I used # 4 this year, target walmart bulk box. They worked great.

 

[horseshoe]

I use 7.5 target load because, well....I'm cheap.

 

[Nine]

I use #2 or #4.