22 or 410 for grouse along the bush roads? [Archive]

BCLongshot

07-23-2006, 07:14 PM

I like the .22 better myself just simply for the challlenge. The wife uses the 410 but she's just out to be with me and brag about her hunting.

Ya and no comments about her wanting to be with me... I do have a wack of life insurance.... mmmmmmm

Schmaus

07-23-2006, 07:31 PM

I would rather use a .22 or a 20 gauge. I don't like the .410 because you can't get very good distance. If you must use the .410 than I would suggest getting 3 inch mag shells and using #4 shot. Hold for the head, if you are close enough and the pellets haven't scattered out too much you should be ok.

bsa30-06

07-23-2006, 07:37 PM

I use my 410 for grouse but i'm still not convinced its the best choice. I do fine with it now but the first few shots weren't pretty.

Barracuda

07-23-2006, 07:45 PM

12 bore or .22 for me . and dont worry about chewing a pellet they almost always pass throughand even iff they dont when you breast them you will see the pellet entrance

Steeleco

07-23-2006, 08:08 PM

I use a .22, my 10-22 to be exact. I don't try to shoot them on the wing for 2 reasons, I'm not that good a shot and more importantly I don't know where the round is going unless I'm pointing it at the ground!!!

~T-BONE~

07-23-2006, 08:40 PM

I use my Ruger 10-.22 as well as I believe it to be one of my best investments. At $16.50 a brick (500 rounds) a guy can get lots of shooting practice in! Not to brag, but I can nail spent 410 shells at 100 yards consistantly so as long as that Grouse isn't bobing it's head up and down to much it should be a piece of cake with a good rest!

livingston

07-23-2006, 08:42 PM

I most always use a single shot cooey .22 makes it more sporting and go for a head shot.

If I dont have anything left for meat in moose camp then I take out the 20 gauge evens things up a bit:smile:

Hilgy

07-23-2006, 09:23 PM

A nice little pump 410 with a full choke will do just fine. If you are looking at buying a new gun for grouse and such give the 28ga a look. Nice zippy 3/4 ounce loads for grouse and then you can switch to 7/8 or if you load your own 1 ounce for pheasent.

Dayto

07-23-2006, 09:46 PM

I use to use a .410 about 10 years ago but now there so expensive for a box of shells I use with old Marlin 70 .22 /But when I get serous out comes the 1300 #7's

3kills

07-24-2006, 09:43 AM

it all depends what i feel like grabbin in the mornin...with my 410 i usually raise it just a lil above the head and it usually take the head clean off and there is no pellets in the breast at all.....i think i have only ever had one grouse i shot with my 410 that had a hole in the breast from the pellets....

rrfred

07-24-2006, 10:23 AM

when i use a 410- 11/16 oz of number 6 does the trick, my overall preference is an ounce of number six in 20 ga- has put a couple hundred or so birds in the pan for me over the years; shot larger than 6 can over penetrate grouse and gets messy quick.

PGKris

07-24-2006, 12:49 PM

Barracuda

07-24-2006, 01:19 PM

I much prefer the 12 bore ,more versitile, better range &higher pellet count and cheaper to feed so you can afford to be well heeled in the characteristics of the firearm. And i assume you mean you like to use smaller shot (7 1/2 is smaller then 4 , I like #6 personally as it generally passes right through them and has enough retained energy for the longer shots to humanly put them down) as for meat damage there is very little as long as you know your pattern and you are not hammering them dead on at 10 paces.

Elkhound

07-24-2006, 01:45 PM

.22 or the 12g 7 1/2 shot. Either one is fine.

Schmaus

07-24-2006, 01:47 PM

I like the #4 shot because it goes a little farther. For the record I don't have a lot of problems with the 4 shot because even if you only hit them with one pellet they still go down.

30-06

07-24-2006, 01:55 PM

i find the 22 works awsome but i rock works equally well to

kishman

07-24-2006, 03:16 PM

Another Ruger 10/.22 fan here, but this fall I think I'm going to try my buiddies .17 mach2 as well. Very accurate, and it gives you a bit more reach. It's still a rimfire so it should be legal for ditch chickens. :mrgreen:

kishman

07-24-2006, 03:18 PM

MichelD

07-24-2006, 03:34 PM

Yes Kishman, you are right.

Low numbers = big shot ie. #1, #2 for example

High numbers = small shot ie. #7 1/2, # 8

Bigger than #1 , you get to BB, BBB, and up.

bruno

07-24-2006, 03:49 PM

Schmaus I thought you were smarter than that :tongue: #4's?????? WTF man! At 20 yards with #4's you won't even hit the bird!I never, never, never use shot smaller than #6 for grouse.
I shoot em with a .410 and #7 1/2 shot. Mostly, I like to wingshoot with the scattergun. If I'm going out for a drive I'll take the .22 cause it's a little more challenging. I really don't suggest a 12ga if you actually want anything to eat. I couldn't fathom shooting chickens with a 12ga. Talk about overkill. It's like shooting a whitetail doe with a .338mag!
Bottom line: .22 is more challenging but cheaper on ammo. .410 is way more fun and you'll bag more birds.
Kris

PGKris,
Please reread your post and do a little research on shot pellet sizes.
Unless of course you are just BSing.
I used a 410 for a few years #4 shot nothing smaller and had not bad success but I was not impressed. I switched over to a 20 ga. and my success rate increased twofold if not more. For the 20 ga. it is # 7 1/2 shot or # 4 for the longer shots. Just hold over their head and very little
meat damage.

wetcoaster

07-24-2006, 04:13 PM

PGKris,
Please reread your post and do a little research on shot pellet sizes.
Unless of course you are just BSing.
I used a 410 for a few years #4 shot nothing smaller and had not bad success but I was not impressed. I switched over to a 20 ga. and my success rate increased twofold if not more. For the 20 ga. it is # 7 1/2 shot or # 4 for the longer shots. Just hold over their head and very little
meat damage.

agreed.

20 gauge will get it done and is the best.

Bow Walker

07-24-2006, 04:43 PM

.22 for me - or I have a pump .22 pellet gun. If they are close it will do the job and not scare too much away. If they are a bit far away, then it's the semi auto for me. Head shots and there is no worries about meat damage.

I like the drumsticks as well as the boobs. Whole bird it it goes into the fricassee pot.

MichelD

07-24-2006, 04:57 PM

I used to use a .22, but I just wasn't good enough to hit 'em in the head with iron sights once they got past 25 yards away. Then a buddy gave me a 410 and I started killing grouse again. And showshoe hares too.

I've been getting the ammo 2nd hand at gunshows to keep the cost down. I'm about 100 rounds ahead now.

But I just got a 20 gauge pump, so I don't know what to use anymore!

PGKris

07-25-2006, 12:35 AM

Whooops sorry guys. Wrong word in there. I meant I never use shot *bigger* than number 6. My bad. This is one of those "Whatever floats your boat" topics.........use whatever you like shooting. I like shooting them on the wing....and with a .410.....go small shot or go home.
Kris

hoochie

07-25-2006, 03:22 AM

Isn't #4 larger than #7? Sorry total noOb here:mrgreen:

yes, and what he was refering to is that there are less pellets to concentrate on a small bird. They are larger in size (#4) but fewer in number. Theres a whack of pellets in a 7 1/2... easier to hit the bird with.
You were correct though...

And for the record.. I bought a new shot gun last year specifically for birds... not a one yet! nothing, no ducks, no geese.. not even a single ditch chicken! I bought the new shotgun, and was all happy.. then I never saw another bird that was in range again.
its coming...

hoochie

07-25-2006, 03:22 AM

sorry, its late at night and the PC glitched.. double posted for some reason. kinda lagged then I hit it again.. my bad.

partsman

07-25-2006, 08:09 AM

I use my savage 24-D 22/410 combo, best of both worlds.

PGKris

07-25-2006, 11:20 AM

I use my savage 24-D 22/410 combo, best of both worlds.

Now that there would be a gun I could get interested in. Got any pics? How much did it cost you?

partsman

07-25-2006, 01:29 PM

I have had it since the late 70's or start of the 80's, so I don't think I paid a heck of a lot, but it was well used, and it has its share of damage, but it still works.
I guess I could try and get a picture to post of it.
But I do prefer the old style with the side barrel selector and the barrels solidly joined together.

Bullmoose

07-25-2006, 07:31 PM

My vote is for a head shot with a 22, we've brought home a bag of grouse over the years and it's all breast meat with no pellets, with a good 22 you can do a head shot 25 to 30 yards and the wonderful thing about friends and family members is they just stand around and look at their friend wondering why he's doing the funny dance. I'd recommend the quick clean method, no wings or legs, just the breasts. Take some mushroom soup for an outstanding camp meal

enjoy:mrgreen:

416

07-26-2006, 06:25 AM

Another vote for the savage combo gun........mine is a 30/30-20 gauge topped off with a little bushnell 4x scope. With #6 shot the scope works deadly for both the rifle and shotgun. Have had the pleasure of harvesting both a small mulie and birds in the same outing. It's a heavy little rifle but the dual usage can be a definite bonus.........

Bigbuckadams

07-26-2006, 06:25 AM

I've used both a 20 and 12 guage for grouse and as long as you take a head shot, there is no worry about chompin' down on a pellet or two:smile: . I would prefer to use a 20 for wing shooting, but we don't really shoot too many grouse anymore so I just bring along my 12 guage with #6 shot if I feel the need to bag a couple for a dinner. I don't like to use a .22 too much, but only due to the fact that I hunt steep country and there are houses, buildings and roads etc. that are within a .22's range of a miss. As far as eating the legs, there is some meat on them, but too many tendons etc. for my liking on anything, except maybe a big blue grouse.

ianwuzhere

07-26-2006, 06:37 AM

i like the .22 for them spooky ones far away, but i usually use 12 gauge with 6 shot- aim a lil higher and usually never wreck any or have many pellets in the breast.

CNE

07-26-2006, 11:02 AM

I use a 12 gauge. If i get a few pellets in the breast i clean them out with a wooden kabob stick. When you pull the stick out of the hole the feathers stick to it.

one-shot-wonder

07-26-2006, 08:48 PM

Last fall I used rocks 5 of them to be exact and I got 5 chickens. This summer I picked up a nice .22 bolt action 10 shot clip for more eating!

I haven't decided but I am leaning towards not putting a scope on it as I like the open sites challenge on these "fool hens".

000buck

07-26-2006, 09:08 PM

I do alot of shot gunning for deer on the south island so I almost always have a 12 guage with me. I carry 3" 000 buck and 2 3/4 #7 bird shot. I find that these tree chickens are usually stupid enough to let you get close enough to skull them but if they do wing it they are usually winging away and #7 will put them to the rug quick without perforating the breast from a reasonable distance.

Will

07-26-2006, 09:46 PM

Another Vote for the 20 Gauge ! :cool:
Priced 410 shells lately........:???:

brotherjack

07-26-2006, 09:54 PM

17 HMR (but the XTP bullets, not the little red tipped explosive ones. The little explosive ones will ruin your supper).

Bow Walker

07-27-2006, 05:41 AM

one-shot........if it's about the eating - then put a scope on it for more dinner fare.

Jelvis

08-21-2008, 09:45 PM

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Rock Doctor

08-21-2008, 10:48 PM

I prefer to use a 22.
The thighs are the best part of the bird IMHO, but I don't think many guys bother to take them.

RD

hunter1947

08-22-2008, 08:00 AM

I use a 22 when I am after grouse.

sawmill

08-22-2008, 04:55 PM

I use an old Stevens semi auto with a 22 in. semi bull barrel and a 4x bushnell rifle scope,that thing is the most accurate .22 I`v ever owned.

quadrakid

08-22-2008, 05:21 PM

i,m a .22 fan and like them little chicken legs in the stew.

martyonthewater

08-22-2008, 07:21 PM

It's been the 20ga. for me but I did just pick up a little 410 cooey single for my boys to learn on. they're already pretty good on the pellet gun and the .22 so it's the next step in the progression. Of coarse I'll have to 'test' it a few times to make sure it shoots straight

dans_1952

08-22-2008, 07:57 PM

Hi! ive always favoured my ithaca 22...its incredibly accurate and its more of a challenge. if you have an unsteady reast just shoot for the body...it doesnt do much damage as long as you dont use hollow point bullets or hit it in the guts. (by the way im 14)....but if your going for as many birds as you can get....use the 410 and aim for the neck and head area. also when uve killed your bird....step on the wings and pull on the legs and the breast pops right out.
hope that helped! bye

VanIsle

08-22-2008, 08:08 PM

I'm also a big fan of the Savage 24 .22 / .410 combo. I bought mine new as a teenager in the late 70's and it has never left my side since. I have taken countless grouse, rabbits and other small game with it over the last 30 years. I consider it a "beater" gun and am quite happy to just jam it between the seat of the truck and the console, hidden from sight, but yet readily available. It is probably my most versatile as well as most used firearm. I will be looking to find one in 30/30 over 12 or 20 gauge next, as it would be perfect for thick west coast terrain.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/Cohobro/savage.jpg

Pete

ElectricDyck

08-22-2008, 09:43 PM

22 is fun and a good challenge, but when you get the sketchy ones that wanna fly it's fun to utilize all that skeet practice with the 12 guage plus you can buy boxes of #7 target ammo at Wal mart of Canadian tire for cheap.:cool:

The Dawg

08-22-2008, 09:45 PM

I have my 20g pump and my 410 single....its just a matter of whats closer when I head out the door..with a light enough shot, you dont get much meat damage even if you hit it low.

blackbart

08-22-2008, 10:50 PM

I like to use my regular hunting rifle once in awhile. If you can take the head off a grouse at 25 yards in a field situation you are well prepared for a big game shot at longer ranges. The meat for shell cost equation does not bother me very much when one considers the cost of not being confident on a shot on a large animal. Practice shooting some chickens with your regular hunting rifle and you will get better when the big game shot presents itself.

On a side note, if you connect with your high power center fire (in the head or neck) you will not need to worry about digging pellets out of the breast.

ratherbefishin

08-23-2008, 06:29 AM

I've always used my little BRNO 22-but this year bought an H&R Tamer in 20 guage rather than a .410-for the simple reason I can carry a couple of slugs in case I see a deer[you go grouse hunting-you see deer-you go deer hunting-you see grouse]

Mik

08-23-2008, 07:11 AM

I find that grouse are always out at around 10 am on a sunny day and again at about 4pm, but it also depends on the area. Once you get to know the area, you can always get them at the same time of day.

When you are using a 410 make sure you use the 3" magnum loads as you will find that the 2 3/4" wont quite get them at "the normal distance" and aim at the head.

Personally, I use a sling shot. when your'e walking thru the bush and you happen to stumble across a few of them...whack-em quietly and keep hunting for the "BIG GAME".

Caveman

08-23-2008, 10:06 AM

I use an old cooey 22 model 60 I believe. I like the head shot. If I miss good for the grouse. I have inhierited an old bolt action 410 with a clip I intend to use, but same thing I'll be going for the head.

blackford

08-23-2008, 01:33 PM

what type of bullet do you 22 users use for grouse...

i was using the velocitors and i would hit them btut hen they would fly 20 feet in the bush and then drop... usually where i coudlnt see them....

i know i hit them becuase they would be upside down for a good ten seconds an then scramble to the feet and fly...

this might be the only reason why i would say go with a 410

ElectricDyck

08-24-2008, 09:46 AM

Personally, I use a sling shot. when your'e walking thru the bush and you happen to stumble across a few of them...whack-em quietly and keep hunting for the "BIG GAME".

Hey what kind of sling shot do you use, we we're trying this last season and had difficulty knocking them down unless you got a head shot. You'd hit them twice at 20' while they were perched on a branch and they just look at you, that was with ball bearings.