What Gauge shotgun for Grouse hunting?

[JasonG]

I have been thinking about hunting grouse. I was wondering what shotgun gauge most people use for hunting them. I have also heard people use 22s. Any suggestions would be great. I do not have a dog so it would be me  just hiking. Thanks in advance Jason.

[Kola16]

12 for me 

[Mr56Jeep]

Any shotgun will be just fine.  Not the most sophisticated game bird.  I might use it as an excuse to buy the .410 I have been wanting but either a 12 or a 20 would probably be better choices.

[Forrestrover.02]

Took the 12 gauge out today. Didn't see any grouse, though.

[CP]

12g,  12g for everything, dove, quail, grouse, pheasant, turkey, ducks, geese, deer, etc.

[whitey]

12..

[Slingeroflead]

12 for me too

[wadu1]

I like a 10 gauge; loaded with 2 1/8 oz of number 7 1/7s  really I use a 12 with 2 3/4 # 7 1/2 or # 6. I do know a guy who only uses a 10 gauge for everyting from snipe to geese al I can say is  to much gun.

[BK Dave]

Something light in 12 or 20

[Forrestrover.02]

12g,  12g for everything, dove, quail, grouse, pheasant, turkey, ducks, geese, deer, etc.

[Bmcox86]

I use a 12 or my 22/410 o/u

[runningboard]

28 gauge Cortona over/under better pattern with shorter shot string than .410 same weight loads

[singleshot12]

Something light in 12 or 20

and most important one that fits and swings fast

[fethrduster]

A light, fast, 16 or 20 with short barrels is ideal.   Once you go 16, everything else pales in comparison.

[Stilly bay]

gauge is all relative. you can get light 12 loads that essentially are the same as what comes out a 20 or a 16 and you can get heavy 20 gauge loads that are closer to what comes of a light 12 payload. they even make special wads now so you can load 3/4 ounce of shot in a 12 gauge shell ... which is what you usually shoot with a 28.

any gauge will work. worry more about your shot size / choke combination.

that being said...

I prefer a nice light 28 gauge because both my rotator cuffs are fried and if I am going to tote around a gun all day long I would like to be able to lift it at the moment of truth.  but even though its light the shells I use are stuffed with an ounce of shot so its really a lot closer to a 20 gauge or even a 16 payload.

I like size 8 or  9 for ruffed grouse with an IC choke.

forget all of the above...just grab a shotgun, some shells and go out and kill a grouse. worrying about this kinda stuff will give you heartburn.