Starting out grouse hunting

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

Don't u find with 6, 7,8 that your grouse is chalk full of shot?

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I hunt grouse up north mainly. When shooting them off the ground or a branch I aim to miss so that just a few pellets remove the head. I've been using the same gun and shells for this for probably 10 years so I've figured out how it hits. It took a couple seasons to get there however, so yes I did pepper a few in the beginning.

I often put a #5 behind the #6 for a longer distance wingshot in the thick stuff, which is extremely rare where I hunt.

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Originally Posted by sharps4570

And such view is based upon what?

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Personal experience fella. I don't know what it is about 7.5s but I can't knock anything down with them. Definitely prefer #6. I use a full choke though as well so I'm a bit odd lol

How many of you use a 20 gauge? I've always used a 12, but I've kinda got my eye on a 20 at the moment. Just concerned about the versatility of it and whether or not I should just stick with a 12. I'd like to pick up a sxs or o/u, so would it be better to stick with 12 or would a 20 be the way to go?

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Originally Posted by Cass

How many of you use a 20 gauge? I've always used a 12, but I've kinda got my eye on a 20 at the moment. Just concerned about the versatility of it and whether or not I should just stick with a 12. I'd like to pick up a sxs or o/u, so would it be better to stick with 12 or would a 20 be the way to go?

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I seem to remember some old saying along the lines Be weary of the man with 1 gun as he knows how to use it best. My go to gun for upland is the old FN 12 I started shooting the day I turned 15. That gun can find the mark pretty much on its own now. Picked up a .410 last year Although found it a joy to carry it just didn't feel right mounted clunky seem the fight me I guess being new and unfamiliar just didn't feel right. Guess with practice and time would make for a nice upland however going to go back to the old 12 heck if it anit broke don't fix it.

The 20g will handle any upland hunting you can ask of it. Other than waterfowl there is no need for a 12 gauge.

Whats the difference in pellet counts between 12 and 20? Say with a #6 or 7.5

Here is a chart of pellet counts.

http://shotshell.drundel.com/pelletcount.htm

If you are hunting woodcock with a full choked 12 gauge in the cover they are normally found then when you do manage to actually hit one you must be basically destroying the bird. You need to get yourself a gun with open chokes. Cyl or Improved Cyl at the most. My woodcock gun is a 20g choked Skeet/Cyl. I usually shoot 1 0z loads of #8 or 7/8 of #9 for woodcock. Grouse I would have 1 oz of 7.5 but a 7/8 load will be just as effective.

7/8 oz of shot has the same pellet count out of a 12 or 20

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Originally Posted by Cass

Whats the difference in pellet counts between 12 and 20? Say with a #6 or 7.5

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Depends on the load. You can shoot an once in either the 20 or 12 and will have the exact same amount of pellets if they are the same size of shot. An ounce of #7.5 is the same as an ounce of 7.5 whether its in a 20 or 12.

Using a dog will help you a lot.

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Originally Posted by gprice

In the spring during my first turkey hunting season on the property I hunt on in Grand Valley (WMU80) I heard grouse drumming everyday. At first I had no clue what it was until a friend of mine was out hunting with me one morning and told me. I would like to give grouse hunting a try and I know they are on the property I hunt on but I don't know where to start, what to use or how to find them. Any pointers for starting out would be appreciated.

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