.22 Pistol for grouse?

[Dave Workman]

Anybody besides me ever shoot a grouse with a .22 pistol?

I recently acquired a very good condition Ruger Standard (MK I precursor) semi-auto that looked like it spent most of its life in a box or a drawer/gun rug. I have written a column for GUN DIGEST about this pistol. It is a real shooter and the plan is to pop some fool hens with it.

On a related subject, if you use a shotgun, what is your preferred shot size? I've written about this also, for Northwest Sportsman, and I want to see how closely people here "fit the pattern" as it were.

FOUR grouse a day.  Now that's worth a weekend trip to the Okanogan or Ferry County, eh?

[ICEMAN]

Oh yeah. Love the Ruger...

[TeacherMan]

That is the pistol that I'm looking for! Nice pistol. I use a single six on them now and it works great, I just wish it had better accuracy (single six). 

[CP]

A few with a .22 , got this one with a .36 colt – but I usually take the easy way out and use a shotgun, 71/2 shot.

[Dave Workman]

You guys should submit photos to NORTHWEST SPORTSMAN magazine. Here are some tips:

Make sure you are in the photo, or that your hunting partner is in the photo. Just showing game with a gun really doesn't do as much, "photographically."
Make sure you are clean (no goofy stuck-out tongues!)
Get a close-up, rather than have you standing in the middle of a panorama shot. We've all seen scenery, we want to see YOU with your game.
Have your gun in the photo.
Use a flash to fill in shadows.
Colors are good...blaze orange vest and cap, red shirt; colors that really have some bounce.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I can't tell you how many Grouse I've taken over the years with rimfire rifle. I lost count a long time ago. Several with rimfire pistol, and a bunch with 12ga, #7 or 7 1/2.

I've also taken several with .357 and .44magnums. Just shoot the head off!

-Steve

[testar77]

I've also taken several with .357 and .44magnums. Just shoot the head off!

Kinda like last year!!!   

[MHWASH]

I use several. SIngle Six,SP 101, but my favorite is the 22/45. Several years ago my BIL took two shots at a couple grouse in the tree with his rifle. Two shots later with my 22/45 and both grouse were on the ground.

I'm not too particular what shot size I use, but lately I've used a light load of 7/8 6s out of a 20ga.

[Dave Workman]

Well, let's make this more interesting, then.

What ammunition do you prefer to use for grouse in your .22 pistol (or rifle)?

Hollowpoints?
Round nose lead?
Stingers?
Sub-sonics?

[CP]

Well, let's make this more interesting, then.

What ammunition do you prefer to use for grouse in your .22 pistol (or rifle)?

Hollowpoints?
Round nose lead?
Stingers?
Sub-sonics?

I like CCI subsonics, accurate and quiet.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Ammo choice?   I prefer what is most accurate in that particular gun. One of my Bullseye pistols that I'll pull the compensator off of and use as a holster gun, I'd shoot Aquila target loads. Not subsonic, but only standard velocity round nose. My 10-22 prefers high velocity Win round/hollow points. I've never used my M12 24" target rifle for them, but with it I'd still stick with targets loads as it's sighted in for quarter sized groups with them. Hitting the body is simple, so it's not bullet choice that has bearing on the head/neck shot with pistol. Even with my 1911 .45acp, out to 50yds with target load SWC's. HP's wouldn't expand on a bird anyway. Center fire or rimfire, I'm hoping the bullet goes through and through. I'd like some meat to eat!

-Steve

[high country]

I have been known to poke a chick here and there

[high country]

too bad it was not open on this day...........good target

[Dave Workman]

Awesome photo High Country! Would have made a hell of a shot with a .22 rifle!

As luck would have it, I last evening stumbled on a brick of sub-sonic .22 Long Rifle, which I will take to the range and test with that new Ruger pistol of mine to see how it shoots.
You know, I've found that one of the best targets in the world to give one some grouse pistol accuracy is one of those plastic water bottles. Set the thing out at about 20-25 yards, take a careful rest and fire.  If you can hit one of those things standing up...repeatedly...you will have no trouble at all plugging a grouse.

REMEMBER TO PICK UP YOUR SHOT UP PLASTIC BOTTLES AND PUT THEM IN THE GARBAGE!!!!!

[JackOfAllTrades]

Dave, standard velocity ammo, (not just the premium target stuff), for your Ruger should print groups like this. 8 of ten shots can be covered with a nickle @50 feet. Groups only open up a quarter inch or so at 50yds from these pistols.  (The two fliers were my fault. One hand shootin) Plenty good enough for a two hand hold on a Grouse out to 50 yds or so.

-Steve