shot size for grouse??

[Andrew8235]

i have no idea what size shot i should be using?? any help here

[Mike450r]

7 1/2 - 8

[Andrew8235]

reading the regs i didn't see a non toxic requirment for them? is that correct?

[fluentvoo]

I prefer 6. For a couple reasons. I can buy a case of 6 and use it for grouse and chukar. That way I don't have to have separate containers. Fill the bird vest with 6 and can grab from any pocket and be set. My chukar shots end up being longer distance, and I've also tagged grouse on the wing with 7 1/2 and had them keep flying with feathers floating in the breeze.
I think it's personal preference. Bigger bb's make bigger holes in the birds. Bigger holes, but less holes. If you shoot them on the fly that is. If you are gonna plink them from a tree, .22 to the head is best. 

[dmv9]

+1 on the 6 shot size

and non-toxic is only required on certain wildlife release areas.

[Curly]

Ruffed grouse: 7.5 or 6's.

Blues:  6's and maybe even #5

[Bigshooter]

I mostly use #6.  But later in the year I will use some number #5 on blues.

[Andrew8235]

this is why i love these forum's you guys are awesome thank you for the help fella's

[Big game archer]

I usually use #6, but so far this year I have killed all four of my grouse dead with high base 7-1/2's.

[87Ford]

#6 shot outta the 16 gauge worked pretty well on a limit of Blues last week..

[Skyvalhunter]

I use 6 shot on the blues and 7 1/2 on ruffed

[Andrew8235]

now im just hoping i find the grouse

[D-Rock425]

6 seem to be the answer

[coachcw]

125 grain hollow point !

[scout/sniper]

125 grain hollow point !

[Curly]

I used a 425 gr 54 cal bullet, 180 gr .308 from 300 Win mag, 150gr from a 30-30, .22 LR, and #4, 5 , 6, 7.5, and 8 shot.  But 6's are probably the best all around shot size.

[seth30]

I have killed them with #8 and with steel shot #2

[hntrspud]

Whatever you have handy, and doesnt destroy the bird. 

[Stilly bay]

You really don't need anything bigger than #8's for grouse, even for blues, they are all wimps and all it takes is pellet or two in the back or wing to drop them, so you might as well throw more pellets.
One of my favorite early season loads is 1oz of #9's out of a CYl choke for close up through the brush shots.
but any size shot will work.

[jackelope]

You really don't need anything bigger than #8's for grouse, even for blues, they are all wimps and all it takes is pellet or two in the back or wing to drop them, so you might as well throw more pellets.
One of my favorite early season loads is 1oz of #9's out of a CYl choke for close up through the brush shots.
but any size shot will work.

Do you think #8's out of a 20 gauge would suffice?

[dreamunelk]

Work fine on Ruff's and ok on blues.

[bobcat]

#8 shot is pretty small for long shots on blue grouse. I would much rather use 6's. I've killed blue grouse at 40 to 50 yards with my 20 gauge, modified choke, and number 6 shot. With 8's I wouldn't shoot past 30 yards.

[Fishaholic]

My wife picked up a case of #6 shot and it works just fine. It also works well for crows if your into shooting them.

[bowhunterforever]

6's or 7 1/2 and 22 rimfire head shots only, unless i'm using arrows and then head or bust wings

[rtspring]

Only shot one this year. Winchester Super X 3. With 3 1/2 #2s.  At around 60 yards up a tree.. 

[PolarBear]

100 grain Slick Trick or Judo
#6 shot has been my favorite since I was a kid for grouse, pheasants and quail.

[Stilly bay]

#8 shot is pretty small for long shots on blue grouse. I would much rather use 6's. I've killed blue grouse at 40 to 50 yards with my 20 gauge, modified choke, and number 6 shot. With 8's I wouldn't shoot past 30 yards.

I would!
but I agree if you think you are going to have longer shots than normal bumping up the shot size is probably a good idea.
7 1/2's get the job done just fine on 30+ yard shots. I folded a couple sharptails last season with 7.5's that were pushing 50 yards, and blues aren't any tougher than their prairie cousins.

but it really  doesn't matter.
IMO Smaller shot = more pellets in the pattern, and when your hunting a bird that is hard to hit but easy to bring down -like grouse-I would like more pellets in my pattern rather than fewer larger ones.

[jackelope]

I'm shooting fixed full over mod, bottom barrel first. I've got a pile of #8 shot shells. Just wondering if I should roll with it. I'll probably buy some #6 at some point rather than use the 8's.

[Stilly bay]

I would shoot up the 8's and never think twice about it, especially with your tighter chokes.
you could throw the #6's in your second barrel that way you are covered for a rare long second shot... or make burger out of a double.

[bobcat]

I agree with Stilly, with the tighter chokes I'd use the 8's. hopefully they're only 7/8 ounce or at the most 1 ounce loads. 1 1/8 ounce loads might totally pulverize them, especially if they're 20 yards or closer.   

[Smossy]

Size 400 @ 29" with a 100 grain tip

[biggfish]

I've always used a .410 with 7.5 3 inch shells

[Buzz2401]

I like 6's out of my 20 Gauge but have seen my buddy knock his fair share down with 9's out of a 12 gauge.  Probably don't matter what ya use.

[Alpine Mojo]

Grouse can't tell the difference between 6, 7 1/2, and 9.

[Skyvalhunter]

No but when you shoot them they look at you with that you just shot me with sand look and fly away you won't be happy.

[CP]

I'd never use #9 on anything living.  If you get close enough they will kill a grouse but then who wants to pick 580 .080 inch pellets out of their bird?

[Curly]

I'd never use #9 on anything living.  If you get close enough they will kill a grouse but then who wants to pick 580 .080 inch pellets out of their bird?

 

[Stilly bay]

I'd never use #9 on anything living.  If you get close enough they will kill a grouse but then who wants to pick 580 .080 inch pellets out of their bird?

don't knock it til you try it . 9's can be highly effective and not anymore difficult to pick out than size 7, 7.5, or 8's. They also have an effective range of about 35 yards.  If you ground swat or shoot all your birds off branches I could see the need for a heavier shot size that will let you keep your distance so your target doesn't get nervous and become airborne. But for sporting shots through heavy early season cover 9's do the deed, and in some situations better than 8's.

[CP]

I'd never use #9 on anything living.  If you get close enough they will kill a grouse but then who wants to pick 580 .080 inch pellets out of their bird?

don't knock it til you try it . 9's can be highly effective and not anymore difficult to pick out than size 7, 7.5, or 8's. They also have an effective range of about 35 yards.  If you ground swat or shoot all your birds off branches I could see the need for a heavier shot size that will let you keep your distance so your target doesn't get nervous and become airborne. But for sporting shots through heavy early season cover 9's do the deed, and in some situations better than 8's.

I like an 1 7/8 oz load of #2s - that way there aren't any branches left for them hide behind.

[BiggLuke]

Sluiced a grouse this past weekend.... pellets hit the bird, the dirt under it, above it, and all sides of it. The big blue took to the wing as if shaken up, but flew away unscathed. After my buddy stopped laughing.... and after I picked my jaw up off the floor, I deduced why I did not kill such an easy target.
Granted, I was using my 20 GA. coach gun, and yes, the bird was maybe 40-45 yards away.... but I soon realized why I had seemingly hit the bird but didn't kill it.
The empty in my hand?
It was a random #7 1/2 target load.
My vest had all #6 field loads... with the exception of this single shell.
I guess I grabbed it unknowingly, and used it to no avail.

Basically.... What I'm saying is that crap target loads work fine for grouse... if you are really close.

A little later, I had my redemption with almost an exact same shot.
But this time I threw a #6 field load at the Big Blue.
Dead perfect shot.
Basically the #7 1/2 hit, but didn't penetrate. The #6 had more energy in the form of mass, and thusly penetrated with ease, and dispatched the bird instantly.

In conclusion... why take a chance at injuring a bird and failing to recover it, or Like I did and completely miss?   You owe it to yourself to use the appropriate shell for the situation.
I believe strongly, and always have, that #6's are the correct choice.

[Stilly bay]

a coach gun throws a huge pattern at 40 yards with enough holes in if for a grouse make it through with maybe some lucky strikes. the difference between a 7.5 and a 6 isnt much. the difference between a modified choke ( what you would want at 40 yards ideally) and the cylinder choke of a coach gun is gigantic!

unless your coach gun has chokes, then I don't know what to tell you, maybe you made a bad shot? but one "random" shell full of 7.5 pellets not killing one grouse isn't conclusive evidence IMO. it could have just as easily been the other way around.

[AspenBud]

a coach gun throws a huge pattern at 40 yards with enough holes in if for a grouse make it through with maybe some lucky strikes. the difference between a 7.5 and a 6 isnt much. the difference between a modified choke ( what you would want at 40 yards ideally) and the cylinder choke of a coach gun is gigantic!

unless your coach gun has chokes, then I don't know what to tell you, maybe you made a bad shot? but one "random" shell full of 7.5 pellets not killing one grouse isn't conclusive evidence IMO. it could have just as easily been the other way around.

Coach guns are okay in heavy cover for snap shooting. Not the best choice, but they can work. For ground swatting I can think of better choices no matter the shot size.

[JJB11B]

I like my Ruger single six 22lr. its perfect

[CP]

This may help some in making their selection:

[BiggLuke]

a coach gun throws a huge pattern at 40 yards with enough holes in if for a grouse make it through with maybe some lucky strikes. the difference between a 7.5 and a 6 isnt much. the difference between a modified choke ( what you would want at 40 yards ideally) and the cylinder choke of a coach gun is gigantic!

unless your coach gun has chokes, then I don't know what to tell you, maybe you made a bad shot? but one "random" shell full of 7.5 pellets not killing one grouse isn't conclusive evidence IMO. it could have just as easily been the other way around.

ok Stilly... I'm telling you I used a Mod choke, And it was not a bad shot. I hit the bird. No penetration.... that was what I was trying to illustrate with my post.

And yes... one example doesn't make it so. I was just offering evidence to support my belief that #6's are much better.   

[Stilly bay]

a coach gun throws a huge pattern at 40 yards with enough holes in if for a grouse make it through with maybe some lucky strikes. the difference between a 7.5 and a 6 isnt much. the difference between a modified choke ( what you would want at 40 yards ideally) and the cylinder choke of a coach gun is gigantic!

unless your coach gun has chokes, then I don't know what to tell you, maybe you made a bad shot? but one "random" shell full of 7.5 pellets not killing one grouse isn't conclusive evidence IMO. it could have just as easily been the other way around.

ok Stilly... I'm telling you I used a Mod choke, And it was not a bad shot. I hit the bird. No penetration.... that was what I was trying to illustrate with my post.

And yes... one example doesn't make it so. I was just offering evidence to support my belief that #6's are much better.   

If you never collected the bird how do you know you hit it? How do you know there was no penetration? 

[BiggLuke]

oh come on... you know what I mean? When there are feathers that get ruffled and the bird jumps like it was just hit with a tiny rock then when they fly off feathers fall off of them.

[Tiger1358]

i have no idea what size shot i should be using?? any help here

If you're gonna hunt in thick woods I would recommend you to use 6 ,but I use 7 1/2 all the time. Just get a Winchester 7 1/2 game loads and you will be fine. It's like $7 or $8 ...Good luck!

[bowhunterwa87]

I use 4s and 6s in my .410. havent lost a bird yet