Shot size for logging road grouse

[bulldogs40]

I recently bought a new waterfowl shotgun and need to throw some shells through it. Seeing as how small game season is opening up I figure I might as well try and put some food in the pot too. I don't want to tear the bird up too much since its with a 12 gauge so what shot type is everyone recommending?

[87Ford]

7.5

[jrebel]

Ruff or Blue....anything 6 and up will work fine.  I like 6 for all my grouse hunting but I shoot a lot of big blues.   

[timberfaller]

Pretty hard to beat a good ole 22lr!  Pops their heads right off!

But then if your Ruff'en logging roads, 7.5's will do!

Good luck and have fun!!

[bobcat]

It's not just the shot size that you need to consider, but the choke, the amount of shot, the size of the birds, and the distance of your shots. You said "logging road" grouse, so for that I generally expect long shots. I'd go with a modified choke and some 1 ounce loads of 7-1/2's for ruffed grouse or Blues if they're really close, and I'd go with 6's or even 5's for longer shots, and those should be 1 1/8 or even 1 1/4 ounce loads. I always keep some light loads in one pocket and heavier loads in another so I can grab whichever I need for any particular situation.

[wadu1]

I've never had one escape with 1 1/8 of #8's but 7 1/2's might be better.

[DOUBLELUNG]

7 1/2 or 8 dove loads and a modified choke is my preference.

[CP]

#6 - I hate picking small shot out of my food.

[D-Rock425]

6's seem to do the trick well.

[jackmaster]

6seem like the best all around shot for grouse, that way you can hop in the brush and bust some without having to change up.. Dave workman is the local grouse expert though I would definetly ask his advice, I think he eats , sleeps and dreams grouse 24/7 

[RatRodMike]

I like to hit them hard with less so it's #6 for me (ruff or blue). 

[Alchase]

300 Win Mag, right next to their head.
No shot to dig out, LOL

[boneaddict]

My favorite is coming down the road, round a corner and find myself looking down the barrel of a 30-06 with a grouse between us. Lol.  Oh the question.....

[RatRodMike]

I've killed a couple by shooting my muzzleloader into the road just before them and using the gravel as shot.  Hillbilly Buckshot I guess.

[ecnclan]

7.5 with a imp cylinder choke in the thick stuff.

[UBA]

Pretty hard to beat a good ole 22lr!  Pops their heads right off!

But then if your Ruff'en logging roads, 7.5's will do!

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[GoldenOscar]

# 6's  Give you a little more distance and little better imo if your gunninvg through some branches.

[biggfish]

I've always shot grouse with 7.5 full choke but that's with a .410 only shot ruff never had any shot to pick out don't know how that extrapolates to 12 gauge.

[Bigshooter]

It's not just the shot size that you need to consider, but the choke, the amount of shot, the size of the birds, and the distance of your shots. You said "logging road" grouse, so for that I generally expect long shots. I'd go with a modified choke and some 1 ounce loads of 7-1/2's for ruffed grouse or Blues if they're really close, and I'd go with 6's or even 5's for longer shots, and those should be 1 1/8 or even 1 1/4 ounce loads. I always keep some light loads in one pocket and heavier loads in another so I can grab whichever I need for any particular situation.

 

[buckcanyonlodge]

For logging road grouse I use 275-70-17's

[nwwanderer]

Old paper with all the number wore off, various head stamps.

[bobcat]

Old paper with all the number wore off, various head stamps.

That's a good option, I like that.   

[ForestDump]

I use #6 or 7 with modified choke for all my upland shooting

[Stump]

In the timber 4 and 6 for blues. Don't miss many.