Upland hunting

What do you use for upland

  • Total voters
    4
4

410001661

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Location
Burlington, Ontario
What do you use for upland hunting? I have heard everything from a .22LR to a 2-3/4 12Ga (#7-1/2). I am thinking of starting out with grouse, and was wondering if a 12Ga would be too much?

Thx.
John
 
Ok then. If you are using a 12Ga what choke are you using......Mod or IC? I would have to think that everything tighter than that would give you the same effect as shooting a feather pillow.
 
Depends on the range... if your shooting over dogs, I would use IC.

If they're flushing farther ahead, use a Mod.

Full works fine, provided you're at least 30-40 yards out. Last time I went pheasant hunting, I shot one with a full choke as it flushed at my feet... the wad cup was imbedded in the breast... not much eatable after that! :wink:
 
I use a Remington 1100 with 22" bbl , 12 gauge 2 3/4", 1 1/2oz #5 with IC choke. If you think it's too much gun you can always reload 1oz or 7/8 oz I have even heard of some 3/4oz 12 gauage loads.
 
When I was using a full choked 12, I would aim for the head or a little higher if the bird was still on the ground. Never had much lead in the breast, in fact there was usually none.

If the bird was shot in the air, I never had a problem with full.

I used a 12 gauge full/modified over under for years and never spoiled a bird.

I started using a 20 this year, and so far it has been just as lethal as the 12. Virtually no difference.
 
12 gauge, #8, #7.5 and #6 size shot depending on what I am chasing...

Cheers
Jay
P.S. I have only one shotgun, it does it has done it all from ducks to grouse to bunnies to deer...
 
In tight bush chasing ruffed grouse I stick with #6 w/cylinder choke - when huning sharps on the prairie I stick with #4-6 w/IM (28" barrel).
 
I use either 20g or .410

If you're not walking miles to hunt your grouse, then fine, 12g will work, but my opinion is that it's a bit too much gun for upland birds if your covering territory on foot. It makes a big difference after a short while!

I don't really like shooting them on the ground, so .22 is out for me. Nothing wrong with it, just not my preference.

I have full over mod and that's all.
 
For Ontario grouse hunting I have used mostly 12 ga with a wide array of chokes, everything from full choked 30" barrel to a short (22" I think it was) barrel with screw-in IC choke. I used whatever the heck I had at the time. In later years I have shot more grouse with my deer rifle than anything else... :oops:

For the grouse hunting in my neck of the woods, an over/under 20 gauge with screw-in chokes would be just about ideal, and I would probably go with a modified/IC set-up.

I think that a 20 gauge is about the best grouse gun FOR SOUTHERN ONTARIO where most of the shots are relatively close, at flying birds, in moderately thick woods. Other locations with more birds, and lots of (dumb) birds that stick close to cover even when being shot at, would see the value of a .410 or .22.

Doug
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom