What's your go-to grouse hunting setup?
- Thread starter Aabradsh
- Start date
SurplusNut15
Member
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I don't really have a go-to grouse gun, I rotate between all my 12 gauge shotguns and .22's. My favourite though is just my favourite gun, Norinco 1887. This was a 3 grouse day in the end, they were gregarious and almost a little pompous, I let more get away than I took.
My luckiest gun, which must be made out of welded down horseshoes, is my Norinco 1897 clone. It's had the most success by far, and while it might let me down target shooting the odd time it never seems to on the hunt, got my first spruce grouse with it this year. The .22 with the most grouse to its name is actually a Norinco too, a JW25A that I intend to start getting out now as I've done plenty of shotgunning this year, it's the .22's turn now.
My luckiest gun, which must be made out of welded down horseshoes, is my Norinco 1897 clone. It's had the most success by far, and while it might let me down target shooting the odd time it never seems to on the hunt, got my first spruce grouse with it this year. The .22 with the most grouse to its name is actually a Norinco too, a JW25A that I intend to start getting out now as I've done plenty of shotgunning this year, it's the .22's turn now.
Maritime Storm
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Riverview, NB
- Location
- Port Edward BC
.22LR, headshots only.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Usually my SX3 20 ga with Kent Elite 7/8 oz # 7.5 target loads but I recently picked up a 1923 Lefever Nitro Special 20ga with 28" m/f choked bbls. It will probably end up being my goto once I get the stock height tweeked to suit me. Comb height is way too low for me currently.
I have the same gun 1937 production 95% condtion metal and wood even the case harding is intact. They are shooters for sure . Try 3/4 oz #8 loads with those chokes . They were made as a hardware gun but they are built like tanks and balance and swing with the best of them.
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Last bird of the season at the end of November.
Planned to go again only 2 weeks later but a big snowfall hit in December.
Still went out, although it's tough chasing birds while sinking to your knees in a snow drift!
All of the birds were up high, roosting and then flying from the tree branches.
One of those days when you know you are walking right past them, just below them as they hang tight.
Nice day, a bit frosty, no matter never seem to get out enough.
Looking forward to next year...
Planned to go again only 2 weeks later but a big snowfall hit in December.
Still went out, although it's tough chasing birds while sinking to your knees in a snow drift!
All of the birds were up high, roosting and then flying from the tree branches.
One of those days when you know you are walking right past them, just below them as they hang tight.
Nice day, a bit frosty, no matter never seem to get out enough.
Looking forward to next year...
You realize you are rubbing a little salt in.When I hit the grouse woods I'm looking for an easily carried and maneuverable gun and I don't pay too much attention to gauge and barrel length. I hunt over setters and I only shoot at birds on the wing. I typically adjust the load to the quarry more than worry about what gauge.
I might take my Francotte 28 gauge at 4 pounds, 10 oz
It could be the early fifties solid rib Browning Superposed 20 gauge with 26" barrels
I might grab my J & W Tolley (I sure would pick this one if hunting with Pinfire), a 5 pound, single 29” barrelled 12 gauge from England.
If it's a nice day and the woods won't be too thick I sometimes grab the Purdey, a 12 gauge 25 1/2" 6 pound 3 oz open choked grouse killing machine.
The only consistency in my grouse hunting setup is me, my dog and a shotgun.
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
I think It's a Baikal 20 gauge 20" coach gun. I like federal #4 high brass hunting shells. I use #6 sometimes, but I prefer #4 as we have snowshoe hare sometimes and the #4 works better for both. On a grouse I rarely have a pellet or to in the food unless one takes off and I hit it flying,
leveractionjunkie
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
I would have said something about a Browning Citori 20 gauge that has been my primary upland gun for the last 30 years, but that all changed this year when I became a bird guide for this fellow and his Mossberg .410. It will be a while yet before I'm allowed to shoot any birds myself again
Heavily modded cooey 84 12ga.
Cut to 18” and threaded for chokes.
I carry inserts for
22lr, 22WMR, 20ga, 410 and 9mm.
Just so much fun.
Grouse usually get a 410 load. But the 9mm is surprisingly accurate to 25/30yards.
Wont risk the wound loss usually.
Longer distance usually get a 20ga.
Cut to 18” and threaded for chokes.
I carry inserts for
22lr, 22WMR, 20ga, 410 and 9mm.
Just so much fun.
Grouse usually get a 410 load. But the 9mm is surprisingly accurate to 25/30yards.
Wont risk the wound loss usually.
Longer distance usually get a 20ga.
Attachments
Nothing of elegance held in these hands for grouse, rabbit, small game critters. My first was a bolt action Mossberg .410 until my 16th birthday When I stepped it up to a Winchester model 1200 with 28” bent rib barrel w/winchoke. The used this baby for everything up to deer sized game.
As of late, I’ve been working with a hand me down from my mother in-laws late hubby, Ithaca model 37 Fwt 16 gauge. I love the bottom ejection, light and quick handling as I lead my target along the vent rib barrel and front fiber optic sight.
As of late, I’ve been working with a hand me down from my mother in-laws late hubby, Ithaca model 37 Fwt 16 gauge. I love the bottom ejection, light and quick handling as I lead my target along the vent rib barrel and front fiber optic sight.
