Ruffed Grouse, shot size?

[cosmic]

I like the over and under combination guns. Shotgun barrel for the first shot (3 in magnum #4), and second shot from the 308 barrel, just in case the grouse keeps on coming.

 

[conor_90]

^ that's why I always carry grouse spray

 

[saskboy]

I use #4 or #5. I find anything smaller and you end up with more pellets in the meat.

I agree, I also stopped using a shotgun on them period. Usually ruffies are just sitting there anyhow so its not like your blasting them out of the sky, so I just use a rimfire on them to the head or neck area. Way less meat damage and I would like to see a guy head shot a grouse with his 12g at 30 to 40 yards without a few stray pellets.

 

[Brutus]

I agree, I also stopped using a shotgun on them period. Usually ruffies are just sitting there anyhow so its not like your blasting them out of the sky, so I just use a rimfire on them to the head or neck area. Way less meat damage and I would like to see a guy head shot a grouse with his 12g at 30 to 40 yards without a few stray pellets.

When I first started small game hunting, everybody thereabouts had a Cooey single shot 12 gauge with full choke. They aimed one inch in front of the nose/beak of rabbits/grouse and caught them with just part of the pattern.

 

[Pure Energy]

I have always used 7 1/2 and aim for the head. Very rarely get breast pellets.