Which Barrel, what type of shell for Grouse or Pheasant

[thisismyusername]

Hello,

I am thinking of doing some hunting for grouse or pheasant. I have a 12 Gauge Rem870 express combo. What would be the better barrel the turkey barrel or the 26" Barrel. Also what would be the best shells to use? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[hunter5425]

Usually the shorter barrel will be quicker and the longer provide a smoother swing. For pheasants ( I'm going Sunday) I use a 28" barrel 12 ga semi with a mod choke which works well for me in late season. For grouse in the bush I use a 25" 20ga sxs that weighs less then 5 1/2 lbs.

 

[pacobillie]

For wingshooting, use the barrel with the vent rib, as opposed to the turkey barrel with the rifle sights. For grouse, 1 oz of #7½ birdshot, will do the job. For pheasants, 1¼oz of #6 birdshot should be your preferred load.

 

[canucklehead]

In my experience, 6s for pheasant is too small. They are tough as hell, and if you don't kill him in the air, he's off running when it hits the ground.

4's are better, or 3 or 2 in steel.

 

[murat]

Use the longer barrel for birds. For grouse I use target loads, always aim for the head

 

[B2012]

i use a 12 gauge pump, use my turkey barrel for turkey, 28 inch for waterfowl, grouse etc..
target loads for the bush 7 1/2, 1 1/8 oz. last week got some partridges, hare, ducks. keep some steel shot #3 3inch with you if you see some ducks!! but.... i walk alot, 7 hours in the bush so dont make the same mistake i made on this hunt---DO NOT FORGET YOUR SLING!! yup i guess these blisters are the price you pay! worth everyone--hell..sell me some more!! Good luck B2

 

[fugawi]

If you're grouse hunting with a buddy, bring along a .22 rifle. You can sometimes catch them sunning themselves.

 

[beretta boy]

I would use the 26" barrel for both ... with either Cyl. or Skeet and target loads of
# 7-1/2 or 8's for grouse and Imp.Cyl. or Modified for pheasant with 1-1/8 oz. of
5's or 6's. Grouse succumb readily to small shot, and although I've tried 1-1/4 oz. loads of 5's and 6's for pheasant, I don't find them at all neccessary. A 3-1/4 dram equiv. "Field Load" of 1-1/8 oz. of shot is quite satisfactory. Pheasnts are a tougher bird, but not "iron clad".

 

[thisismyusername]

Thanks everyone for the reply's. I will post an update after the hunt.

 

[Brutus]

You can probably get by just fine with high brass #6 shot for both, that is if you can switch chokes around. IC or Modified for grouse and if the pheasant are flushing too early, a full choke may save the day IMO.

 

[catnthehatt]

We use 7 1/2 nickle plated for pheasants, wild or released in our 28's, and
unplated 6's in the muzzle loaders and the black powder cartridge shotguns - regardless of gauge.
Modified would be what I would use if i only had one barrel.
I use IC/MOD in my smokeless guns and my vintage jobs are mostly cyl/full - or somewhere around that.
We hunt over some good pointers however, maybe that makes a difference, but I have never shot a larger gauge than a 20 for pheasants unless it was a BP gun....

Cat

 

[l.denison]

Nice photos catnthehatt

 

[catnthehatt]

Nice photos catnthehatt

I just realized that our poor doggy is so pooped that he has his eyes closed in the photo!!
He slept form three days after a week of hard huntinng - we were pretty well dome as well!
Cat