what type of shot you use for Grouse?

[s0ylentgreen]

hi all
with some of the new lines of shotgun shells
what type of shot do you find the best for grouse and upland?

i have a 12 gauge pump winchester and am having problems finding a good load

thanks!!

[kyleklassen]

lead..........

[wingmaster]

I use #6 but shoot with a .410 they're thin skinned and you can use lead so you can go small but you also don't want them filled with pellets

[Foxton Gundogs]

I shoot over dogs, usually my Red Label mod/IC choke. Federal $58.99 a case 7.5s 2,75" 12 ga, believe me it kills stuff:)

[Sasquatch]

I'm not brand loyal and have tried a bunch of different brands. But this year I bought a few boxes of Winchester, 7.5 for early season and 8 for later. Seems to work ok.
I've gone to an open choke and I think that was a big help.

What problems are you having?

[sarg]

the GF and i both shoot #6 shot for grouse, mine is out of a 410 and hers is out of her 20g :)

[TESKELLY]

I use a 2.75 7.5 in my 12 guage.

[s0ylentgreen]

thanks for the answers everyone but kyle!
while big game hunting i brought along my shotgun and shot at a few grouse at fairly close range
i think i was using too small a shot
probably do 6 or 7 next year

[Hunter8]

I use #6 2.75 steel, out of my 12 gauge with a mod choke. Does wonders!!!

[tomahawk]

rimfire 22 long rifle

[25hunter]

#4 lead has always worked well for me

[gerrygoat]

I like 1 1/8 oz #5 12 gauge 2 3/4" shells, they are cheap Winchesters but work great in my old single shot. I prefer the bigger shot since they usually go through and the ones that don't are easier to find in the meat. I also got a single 28 gauge from an HBC member last year in that one I have been using 3/4 oz #6 and they have worked well, would have bought #5's but couldn't find any local.

[catnthehat]

#9 skeet loads for ruffed grouse is what we use mostly, but at times we have also used 30 grains of H110 , BPI HV28 wad and a BPI Multi hull in the 28's.
Cat

[fishingguy44]

I use a 31" arrow with a small game 125grain head on it. :-D

[kyleklassen]

thanks for the answers everyone but kyle!
while big game hunting i brought along my shotgun and shot at a few grouse at fairly close range
i think i was using too small a shot
probably do 6 or 7 next yearyou asked a question I gave the answer....you didn't ask what size ....so i was probably one of the few that answered your question correctly.

[Lozzie]

Federal Premium Power Shok 17grain in 17HMR to the brain out to 50-60 yards. I have shotgun but once you've headshot a grouse with the 17 it's hard to go back and no damage to the breasts. Shooting them out of the air is tricky though ;)

[kagia]

I've only hunted grouse once. I used my "tactical" pump-action 14" barrel 12 gauge with a full choke and cheapo #6 Winchester target loads. I aimed just above their heads and it worked great. Head/neck shots every time, with zero meat damage. Might do the same thing this year, but will likely buy a .410 or something. That 12 gauge shorty is damn loud with no hearing protection. :o

*And yes, I plugged my magazine tube on the pump-action so it would only hold 2 shells.

[Mr. Dean]

I use target loads that I also use for skeet/trap. Usually 7's.
Toss 'em out of a Stoeger Coach Gun (shortish SxS 12ga).

Good Times!

[boxhitch]

Lead

My 'uplands' sxs has one 'cylinder' bore and one 'improved' tube , good for close work
The 870 has a full choke so have to have some distance
#4 shot works for me

[saskbooknut]

We always used 12 ga. #7 1/2 Canucks for grouse on Vancouver Island, both Blues and Ruffed Grouse. When we no longer could get the Canucks we shot whatever else was cheapest in target loads. We never seemed to lack for birds in the late 60s and early 70s on the Island. I would choose #6 shot for Blues now.

Here on the Prairies we use #6 Kent Fastlead 20 ga. for Sharptails and #7.5 for Huns. I doubt the shotshell is responsible for any problems that you are having. I started to be more successful as a youngster when I got away from overfull chokes. I like an Improved Cylinder (or even Skeet) and Modified choke in a double gun.