shot size for grouse??

[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.