Is a 308 Enough Gun for Grouse?

[brotherjack]

I can say conclusively, based on personal experience (as opposed to Internet experience) - a resounding YES! At least when taking head-shots at the fairly close ranges I was at when I killed the most recent three grouse at with the new Tikka 308 (first blood for the new gun!), the 308 is definitely enough gun to cleanly kill a grouse (and gut him too, if you mess up the whole head-shot idea).

[CT.45]

It's a good technique for scaring all the big game away for a chicken. Effective, yes. Overkill, yes. If you miss the head and hit the body, spectacular. Can you say, POOF.

[stanway]

I reload my 308win and can never bring myself to waste/use a round on a grouse. I'll pick up a rock and try that instead. Okay, it's only worked once, but it adds a new 'challenge' to grouse hunting.

[Gateholio]

I almost always make reduced loads for grouse. I make them and employ bullets I probably won't use, or some cast bullets, or left overs or whatever.

For my 300WSM I use a 150gr FP bullet loaded to about 1850 FPS, just under 30-30 territory. For a 30-30 I will use 6.2 gr Trailboss and a 165gr Cast bullet for about 850-900fps. For .375 Ruger I use a 200gr bullet designed for .375 Winchester, at 1500FPS..ETC

When grouse charge, you want to make sure you can make CNS shots every time, so practice with your grouse loads- The POI will probably be different than your regular ammo...

[brotherjack]

Heh - actually, the whole story is - when hunting, I pack around a handful of some very reduced power loads that I use exclusively for grouse and rabbits (targets of opportunity). It's a 110 grain bullet, 13 grains of RedDot = about 1900FPS. It's kind of like a 22MAG on steroids, and only costs about $0.20 each (and the brass will probably out live me at those low pressures). The one time I ever messed up and winged one through the body with that load, I only lost about half a breast.

If we had sane gun laws in this country, I could pack a pocket sized 22LR pistol for such purposes, but oh well...

[brotherjack]

practice with your grouse loads- The POI will probably be different than your regular ammo...

This is true - my grouse loads always hit lower by an inch or two than my regular hunting loads. I aim by putting the horizontal line of the crosshairs even with the top of their head, and usually the bullet will get em right at the base of the skull.

[stanway]

When grouse charge, you want to make sure you can make CNS shots every time, so practice with your grouse loads-

Good point Clarke. Something us hunters should consider. I have not been charged by a grouse yet, but it's just a matter of time.

I have been wanting to play around with reduced loads for a while, but just never seem to get around to it. Maybe this winter I'll try some. They would definitely be more accurate than a rock.

[Gateholio]

Good point Clarke. Something us hunters should consider. I have not been charged by a grouse yet, but it's just a matter of time.

I have been wanting to play around with reduced loads for a while, but just never seem to get around to it. Maybe this winter I'll try some. They would definitely be more accurate than a rock.

The easiest is to use 60% of a max charge of H4895. You can find a load with H4895 with almost all cartridges except maybe giant magnums.

You won't get into subsonic territory with these loads, but they have moderate recoil and noise.

[stanway]

The easiest is to use 60% of a max charge of H4895. You can find a load with H4895 with almost all cartridges except maybe giant magnums.

You won't get into subsonic territory with these loads, but they have moderate recoil and noise.

Cool. Thanks.

Now, I need to find some grouse!

[brotherjack]

Now, I need to find some grouse!

Heh - I've gone out hunting grouse a dozen times or more, and never ever seen one on any of those trips! But, you put me out stalking around looking for big game, and I'll see a dozen of them. That's why I pack grouse loads.