shot of choice for grouse

[bcfirefly]

just inherited a 20 g single shot and hoping to test it out on a few grouse this fall. What is a good shot to use for these ditch chickens? Don't want to be spitting out shot at the dinner table either! :)
Thanks

[hare_assassin]

6 or 7.5, but the best way to guarantee no shot in the meat is .22 head shots. :)

[835]

#6. And not the Walmart specials. I find the powder charge is better in Bluebox or the like. Those Wallmart specials are cheap for a reason and i feel its because they skimp on things.. I dont have the same kill rate as i do with Bluebox Heavy Field.

Lots of people shoot 7-1/2 but if the birds are busting further out 6 is best. My Great uncle hunted 7-1/2 in the early season because the birds heald tighter. He then would switch to 6 later.

For me, and what i was taught....20Ga with #6 is the bird killer.

[solo]

What 835 said. #6's will often pass right through the birds, so you will get very few pellets.

[warnniklz]

I've used everything from 2s to 9s with 7.5s and 6s being my preference

[Foxton Gundogs]

My shot of choice is 7.5s on everything but blues then I bump up to 6 small game/upland loads Works just finr out of the SA08 20ga over dogs.

[bcfirefly]

thanks guys,
will keep working on my .22 head shots but if no improvement will have the 20ga as a back up

[Sasquatch]

I use 7.5 on all grouse - I have found they die pretty easy and it doesn't take many pellets to bring one down. I only go to 6 if I am hunting pheasant.

[835]

Screw the .22...... Shoot the Birds on the wing. Way more fun when you get into a Covey of Birds shooting them on the wing.
lol.....

And 1,2,3....

[Cdn-Redneck]

I shoot 410 with 7 1/2 it works great but these are road hunted birds too. I just put the bead on their head and raise it until I just can't see their head and shoot, rarely see a pellet in the meat.

[nano]

7.5 Winchester AA works great for me and stays a nice pattern in trees.

[FirePower]

My wife shoots Winchester number 7&1/2 shot from her 20 bore and brings to bagmost of the grouse flushed in front of her.

[warnniklz]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/189310_10152131918700387_237185710_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/579816_10152131919520387_1831137866_n.jpg

Got this guy with the 22 last year. Had a small little knick in the breast. But if you get him in the right spot you can take heart shots with no problems.

[Singleshotneeded]

I've always used #6 with modified choke in my 12 or 16 or 20 gauge for grouse. The #6 at closer range will pass right
through so you have less pellets to remove when you're cleaning the bird at home later, and for longer shots it carries
a bit more energy than the 7.5s for clean kills. If you have screw in chokes I've found the modified choke keeps the shot
charge together enough for clean kills on the longer shots, and I've gotten handy at aiming a whisker high on close shots
so I nail the birds in the head with the still dense shot charge. Some guys will run open choke early in the season when the
birds are still easy and then go to full choke when they're more wary and long shots are the norm, later in the season.
That's okay but with a bit of technique on the close shots, you can use the mod choke all season. I keep low brass light
loads at the front of my buttstock shell holder and high brass heavier loads at the back, and try to use the light stuff for
closer shots...less pellets and powder and they're cheaper too.

[Wullfen]

#6 shot with the .410 and 12 gauge, like has been said several times, aim a little high and hit them in the head.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/Wullfen/Oct2010118.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/Wullfen/media/Oct2010118.jpg.html)

[Sofa King]

save the meat.
learn to shoot the gun well and use slugs, to the noggin.
unless, of course, you are after that elusive B&C.
then, you'll need to avoid the head, and go for the perfect double-lunger.

[Singleshotneeded]

Lol, #6, gives you the power for long shots and good spread for close shots...

[newhunterette]

I shoot a savage .22/.410 over under for grouse.... If I remember I use 7 1/2 which is most common when using .410 (guess one day all thos numbers will stay in my head, lol)

[bearhunter338-06]

2 1/2" #6's out of my C.I.L. 410 side by side.

[Singleshotneeded]

I shoot a savage .22/.410 over under for grouse.... If I remember I use 7 1/2 which is most common when using .410 (guess one day all thos numbers will stay in my head, lol)

With a small bore like the .410, you have a lot smaller shot charge than with a 12/16/20 gauge, and your range is more limited.
So, since you're having to shoot closer anyway, the #6 loses it's longer range advantage over the 7.5, and the 7.5 gives you
more pellets in your shot charge...so it might just be a better option in the little .410.

[HIGHRPM]

I have used a 410 for head shots and 22 for every other type of shot. Use what you have is what I have seen for my whole life. Some would even say a very good air rifle for the close in shots.

[Sofa King]

I tried one year with the bow.
came pretty close.
I was pretty green with the bow then, so was more just playing around.
I've now got a bird-head for the arrows.
haven't tried again since, but I think I will again this season.