Newfoundland Grouse Shot Size

Esvagt

Esvagt

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Hey All,

Finally looking to start getting my feet wet with grouse here in Newfoundland. One thing I haven’t had much luck researching is what shot size are people using for grouse here in NL? First one in my group that’s interested in upland birds so I’m kind of on my own. Any advise on shells would be great, I’ll be using a 12Ga semi.

Thanks!
 
Esvagt said:
Hey All, Finally looking to start getting my feet wet with grouse here in Newfoundland. One thing I haven’t had much luck researching is what shot size are people using for grouse here in NL? First one in my group that’s interested in upland birds so I’m kind of on my own. Any advise on shells would be great, I’ll be using a 12Ga semi. Thanks!
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Our ruffies and spruce grouse are no different than any other. Some folks use No.6, but I think that's usually too much, especially at the close ranges you usually encounter them. 7 1/2 or even 8 is fine. Does your shotgun have adjustable chokes?
 
CV32 said:
Our ruffies and spruce grouse are no different than any other. Some folks use No.6, but I think that's usually too much, especially at the close ranges you usually encounter them. 7 1/2 or even 8 is fine. Does your shotgun have adjustable chokes?
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Yes it does, has 5 extended chokes. Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder & Cylinder.
 
Esvagt said:
Yes it does, has 5 extended chokes. Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder & Cylinder.
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As pointed out by Grouse Man, the Imp Cylinder and Cylinder chokes will be most useful. (I use a skeet choke in a 20 GA O/U.)
 
I shoot grouse with #7.5 95% of the time, #6 now and again. Both work well, pattern with your chokes and pick the best spread for the distances you generally see and shoot them at. For me in my area it’s usually a mod choke that works the best.
 
I bet more grouse are shot with 7.5 target loads than anything else. Its often what I use, although I once bought a 100-box of each #5 and #6, and I've been slowly working through them too.
 
7.5 and choose whatever choke works best for your hunting ability and surroundings (don't wanna be spraying shot everywhere in the dense woods).
I hunt with a 12Ga semi-auto Benelli SBE. It's heavy and definitely way too much for upland birds, but I just got sick and tired of bringing 2 guns and then never having the right one on me at any given time (like when I stumble upon geese while looking for ruffies and curse my life for having a 20Ga on me instead of my 12 gauge 3'5" cartridge 28" waterfowler, the only thing that can throw that steel shot far enough and hard enough for the geese to care).
 
borsch said:
7.5 and choose whatever choke works best for your hunting ability and surroundings (don't wanna be spraying shot everywhere in the dense woods).
I hunt with a 12Ga semi-auto Benelli SBE. It's heavy and definitely way too much for upland birds, but I just got sick and tired of bringing 2 guns and then never having the right one on me at any given time (like when I stumble upon geese while looking for ruffies and curse my life for having a 20Ga on me instead of my 12 gauge 3'5" cartridge 28" waterfowler, the only thing that can throw that steel shot far enough and hard enough for the geese to care).
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Holy ####! 3'5" shell!? That thing must weigh a tonne! Bet you can fit a lot of shot though!
 
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