Grouse with 12 gauge cylinder choke?

MD

MD

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I'm going on a moose hunt and seeing as I'm already bringing two big game rifles, I want to keep the arsenal down to three guns. I have a 19-inch barrel for my 870 I made out of a full length barrel I bought. I was thinking of using it on grouse with #6 or 7 skeet loads. Has anyone of you tried this?


I don't want to turn this into a bear defense thread, but I'm thinking I can have the shotgun as back-up with buckshot in case we have to backpack moose chunks out of the bush later. Our area is known as grizzly habitat.

I have never shot this gun with that barrel. I guess I can see how it shoots once I get out there.
 
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Yes, I've shot grouse with cylinder bore/skeet and #6 and #7.5 shot. It works well if you keep the range short. I found out the hard way that the pattern is too open and won't drop birds up to the size of geese at 30+ yards ( I accidentally left the cylinder bore choke in a gun that I shot a few grouse with last year, and then used on a goose hunt this year...no geese were harmed in the firing of the cylinder bore choke)
 
seth said:
You're going to bring 3 guns on a moose hunt?

Hope you're not hiking very far!
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Lol

Sure I'm hiking, but keeping a backup rifle and the shotgun in the truck.

I had a scope go goofy on me last year and dropped my other rifle on its scope this year already so I'm bringing a spare.
 
Nothing at all wrong with a cylinder bore, pattern the gun and see how far out you do not have any holes that a grouse would fit in, I am sure you will find out that the range is a lot further than you think.
 
kamlooky said:
Bear defense with #6-7 skeet loads?
Make sure the last round fired is at least an SSG or Dubble Awd Buck or slug.
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No, no, no, no.

I talking about multi-purpose here; skeet loads for grouse I may see on the road while going to and from moose spots and buckshot or slugs if and only IF I need to have a little backup to make the difference while cutting and packing or in camp. To be honest, I think bear spray might be better.
 
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I like cylinder bore for grouse shooting. I also use #6 or #7 steel shot for the same purpose. I can cover out to 30 yards pretty consistently. The steel does hold a tighter core pattern in my cut down auto loader.

Darryl
 
Cylinder bore slug barrel in the 870 was always my go to truck grouse gun untill I bought the 20g. It's an improved cylinder and modified coach gun.
 
MD said:
...buckshot or slugs if and only IF I need to have a little backup to make the difference while cutting and packing or in camp. To be honest, I think bear spray might be better.
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The centrefire rifle that you used to shoot your moose would likely be better. Load up some low velocity cast bullets for birds and stick to one rifle. There are chamber adapters available too, somebody will come up with the name.
 
9.3mauser said:
The centrefire rifle that you used to shoot your moose would likely be better. Load up some low velocity cast bullets for birds and stick to one rifle. There are chamber adapters available too, somebody will come up with the name.
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Hammond game getter.

OP, my buddies only shotgun is a cylinder bore 12ga. It's primary use is swatting grouse on the side of the road, and does a fine job. I usually run a skeet choke for that type of work.

Having the grouse disappear into the thick stuff is generally far more an issue than a choke being too open in my experience.
 
x2 on the hammond game getter as it allows you to take small game with your big game rifle and eliminates the need to carry a second gun for grouse. A few ounces for the entire kit sure is easier to carry than a 6-7 lb shotgun and shells.

Mine shoots "minute of grouse" out to 30-35 yards.
 
It will work, I'd prefer slugs rather than any shot for Grizzly bears.
I've always just been familiar enough with my rifle and loads close range POI at 20-50 yards I just used it. You're moose rifle will probably also serve well enough bear defense. Hammond game getters may be worth consideration, or a sling shot and some practice and you'd have a smaller, lighter and stealthier camp meat getter than a firearm.
 
bore choke for my grouse SxS.........7 1/2 for sure, over 30yrs now, best grouse, quad, camp SG I've had. I Hunt in bear country for moose, keep some 00 + slugs handy. You have a great set up, have a great hunting season.
 
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