Hunting Grouse

I use this remington 870 spl field model in 20 ga., modified choke & with 7/8 oz load of # 7-1/2 shot. This always worked best for me...
Why 7-1/2 size? In 1 oz of it there are 350 pcs of shot,....In #6, there is 225 pcs. It does make a difference in numbers of shot in your pattern at the various distances from the muzzle. It doesen't take much in shot size to kill grouse....
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The short barreled, lightweight pump is easier to swing & fast to the shoulder when needed. I also get a few on the wing each year. I too like the .22, but I still believe the shotgun is a step up when grouse hunting, also for safety reasons, shooting them out of the trees later in the season or shooting on the wing....

I keep the .22 for rabbits & tin cans!
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Depends on what type of terrain you are in... I use a 12 but I hunt some REAL HEAVY bush.... like 70's #### star heavy bush.... 20 gauge is nice though... and the guns are a bit lighter...
 
If you are willing to have two shotguns, one for upland and one for waterfowl, I would buy a 20 for upland. But a 20 is not a good general purpose shotgun.
 
riden said:
If you are willing to have two shotguns, one for upland and one for waterfowl, I would buy a 20 for upland. But a 20 is not a good general purpose shotgun.
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I disagree. A twenty gauge works fine for most purposes. It won't work well for really long range turkey hunting or pass shooting geese but for everything else with the right load it won't really be a handicap.
 
diemaco said:
I disagree. A twenty gauge works fine for most purposes. It won't work well for really long range turkey hunting or pass shooting geese but for everything else with the right load it won't really be a handicap.
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It is a nice load... But a far cry from 12 gauge for versatility... A guy that has a 12 gauge can buy a load over the counter that is suitable for everything...
 
diemaco said:
I disagree. A twenty gauge works fine for most purposes. It won't work well for really long range turkey hunting or pass shooting geese but for everything else with the right load it won't really be a handicap.
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Maybe, I think it depends on what you think general purpose is.

In my mind, goose hunting is part of general puprose.
 
riden said:
Maybe, I think it depends on what you think general purpose is.

In my mind, goose hunting is part of general puprose.
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Both me and Diemaco have killed alot of geese with the 20, close and far. With High-density shot or high-speed steel the 20 will kill anything that flies very dead at any sane distance.

A 20 would be a better all purpose gun for the hunter who frequently hunts upland birds with the odd waterfowl hunt thrown in. And this hunter will not be burdened with a heavy waterfowl gun for his upland hunting and for the occassional waterfowl he can afford good shotgun shells to shoot at them.
 
mosinmaster said:
Hi,
Do you have to shoot them in the air or when they are on the ground?
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No.:D

The perceived 'Code of Ethics' can vary greatly from coast to coast to coast. But taking them on the wing 'without' the assistance of hunting dogs for the dirty work of locating, holding/flushing &/or allowing for any kind of directional balance/preparation - is undoubtedly the most challenging/sporting of the methods. The rest is purely the minor leagues. :p

Having said that, some coverts/cover in Canada can be so thick that the grouse will run straight back & away from you 'til the cows come home. They know & will take the safer route each & every time. As a result, they can often be much harder, near impossible to hit running & bobbing over undulating terrain in high density cover - than they are on any kind of a rising &/or open straight away wing shot.
 
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