My new grouse getter...44mag

[hunterbuilder]

I shot this grouse this year with my 44mag with birdshot. I had never even fired the birdshot before but packed it with me "just in case". I jumped 2 grouse and they landed in a tree about 40 yards out. Normally with a shotgun I would of snuck up a few yards and shot. Well i stalked up to within about 10-12 yards and just as they were about to fly I aimed and shot at the one most open. I honestly fully expected it to just fly off but it just dropped straight down. I haven't shot these shells before but want to now to see how they pattern and how much energy they have.

[mossback91]

wow I tried to shoot a quail with 357 birdshot form about 10 yards and that sucker took off but 44 does pack a bit more in it!! 357 birdshot is now used for snakes

[gasman]

Nice, i never had any luck with the bird shots.
They did not break at the muzzle or in the barrel for me. i could not figure why i missed 3 birds, so i shot at a tree and found that the shell was not breaking untill impact.

Glad they worked for you though....

[Roper]

Hunterbuilder, good shot! Considering the small shot (probably #9) packed in those shells you have to be fairly close.

However, technically you could get a ticket for using a handgun. The regs say shotgun and .22 only for forest grouse, be careful.

Forest Grouse
Forest grouse may not be killed with
any rifle or handgun 24 caliber or
larger, or shotgun containing slugs or
buckshot, during modern firearm deer
or elk seasons unless appropriate
deer or elk tags are in the hunter's
possession. Forest grouse may be
taken with shotguns as well as firearms
smaller than 24 caliber during
the entire grouse hunting season.

[hunterbuilder]

I had wondered about and checked the regs before I went out and all I found was this section under Prohibited Hunting Methods:

10. Prohibited firearms/hunting methods
It is illegal to:
Hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of
holding more than three shells.
a.
Hunt game birds with a rifle or pistol, except
forest grouse.


I mentions nothing about caliber size or anything in the regs I read. 

[mossback91]

Forest Grouse
Forest grouse may not be killed with
any rifle or handgun 24 caliber or
larger, or shotgun containing slugs or
buckshot, during modern firearm deer
or elk seasons unless appropriate
deer or elk tags are in the hunter's
possession. Forest grouse may be
taken with shotguns as well as firearms
smaller than 24 caliber during
the entire grouse hunting season.

Notice it says UNLESS you have a tag for the animals in that season.....so if he was hunting during deer or elk season and had a tag in his pocket he could use his 44 then. thats how I see it anyways

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Exactly!  If it was deer season he had to have a deer tag,  Elk season then an elk tag and it is then legal to have used the 44

[magnanimous_j]

I've always heard that shot loads damage rifled barrels. Is that not true? I'd hate to see you wreck such a handsome wheelgun

[MHWASH]

I've always heard that shot loads damage rifled barrels. Is that not true? I'd hate to see you wreck such a handsome wheelgun

 The lead shot is softer than the steel rifling, shouldn't be a problem.

As long as he's not hunting during elk or deer there should be no problem.

[Gutpile]

I've shot lots of grouse with my ruger and the bird shot capsules. Mostly pretty close, within ten yards or so. Never have measured the distance. My brother in law shot ton's with his Thompson contender .44.

[road.kill]

what kind of pistol is that? Looks like it did a good job on that bird