Is .17hmr a worthy upgrade for ruffed grouse over .22LR?

[.22LRGUY]

I grew up head shooting ruffed grouse in the head with my pellet gun, then upgraded to 22lr. Did that for years, then decided to try my 17HMR. I only use the CCI fmj rounds, they work amazing. I have taken them at a hundred yards after it has been spooked, then flew and landed thinking it was far enough away...it wasn't.

I have had one shot at those ranges hit the very top of the breast, and there was less damage than a normally 22lr at close range.

I say if you want to use it, go right ahead. Not a fan of shotguns for grouse. Sometimes I use my 22lr/410. But always just hit them in the head with the 22lr. I use round nose bullets in my 22lr for grouse. Have been using Winchester dynapoint for quite a few years.

I’ve had grouse I’ve shot less than 4’ in front of me in a light rain and couldn’t find them. I have no concerns about needing a tool to take will noodle them @ 300’

I think how you encounter them plays a big part in deciding what the best tool is,

 

[ScottB]

Thank you for the recommendation! The 457 seems to be everyone's favorite here. I'll have to look them up.

I recommend the CZ 457 as well. I have one in 17 and a model 1 and a model 2 in 22. All very accurate

 

[bisonviril]

Have you ever read anything from Ken Waters Pet Loads ??

I never had the pleasure. He certainly has original ideas about reloading

 

[Denver Steve]

I’ve had grouse I’ve shot less than 4’ in front of me in a light rain and couldn’t find them. I have no concerns about needing a tool to take will noodle them @ 300’

I think how you encounter them plays a big part in deciding what the best tool is,

Grouse are crazy at hiding in leaves. But if you are shooting them in the head they don't hide anywhere, you just have to keep looking at exactly where you shot it and not look away. Because then you will loose it. And I get you that the further it is the harder it is to find them, a hundred percent true.