410 full choke, or 20 gauge modified for grouse?

[Recurve-Elk]

What would you go with for grouse?  410 full choke, or 20 gauge modified, and What size shot? 

Ive got a single shot in each and I can't decide which one to take with me to college for grouse hunting.  410 would be cleaner and less ruined meat, but the 20 would surely stop a bird in its tracks.

[Gutpile]

I use both but really like the .410. The 20 is good if your not ground sluicing them but if you are the 410 gets the not. It doesn't blow them up if they are close.

Heres a weekends worth a few years ago. All with 410's

[Recurve-Elk]

Great job, that's some good eating right there!!!

Ya I plan to stalk and take them from the ground.  I don't have a dog.  So sounds like the 410 is the one.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

[uplandhunter870]

im a .410 nut so naturally id say .410 but being a college student myself i can attest to the actual amount of funds available for hunting, its not much. 410 shells are expensive especially the 3 inchers i like for grouse. if you can reload take the 410 by all means but if you stuck buying factory loads take the 20 it will be easier on your wallet

[ORCA_SIX]

20 gauge, little bit more lenient if you are shooting by branches and trees. The other thing is, some 20 gauges shoot slugs. Nice to have in case you run into a deer, cougar, etc during the respective seasons.

[JackOfAllTrades]

With this wet spring..  After last years totally wet season.. I'm doubting that there will be many Grouse for us.  That said, nuthing wrong with the 410 or the 20ga. I use a 12ga with #7 target load, and while I won't shoot them point blank, 15yds does not blow the bird up. Anything equal to that in your shotties should do fine.

-Steve

[CP]

I use a 12g with 1oz of #7 @ about 1290fps (handload).  For the dumb ones that refuse to fly I just aim slightly above the head and it ruins no meat.

I suggest that you pattern both the .410 & the 20g and see which one looks better.  You’ll be surprised how tight a .410 can be.

[MHWASH]

I too have used both and prefer the 20. Alot of time the .410 does not have enough energy for those longer shots when you know you can't get any closer. I've lost more than one to my BIL because of this. The .410 full can be just as hard on meat as the .20. You will also be handycapping youself if you do much shooting on the fly with the .410.

 If you want to sell the .20, let me know.

[44 Flattop]

After 42 years of grouse hunting, I consider the .410 a 33 yard shotgun.  The 20 extends that a bit.  If the shots will be long or very very brushy, I'll use a 20.  Otherwise I prefer my little .410 O/U.

[Special T]

I think the savage 24 is the best of both worlds 22lr on top and 20 ga shot gun below!

[Dave Workman]

If anybody read my review in GUN WORLD of the .410 Stoeger double s/s, that's what I'll start the season with.
Both bores are fixed FULL and I recommend 3-inch No. 6's.

X-ing my fingers for a good late hatch. 

[Andrew]

I'm having my grandfathers Savage model 24's sites fixed (inherited the gun last year)...can't wait to get out, 22 for the village idiots that don't fly, 410 for the cowards!  85 MORE DAYS!!!

[WSU]

Where are you going to school?

[C-Money]

If most of your shots are at birds on the foot....410.  If you think most of your shots are going to be at grouse on the wing...20ga. I use a single shot 12ga with trap reloads and its way over kill!!

[700xcr]

If most of your shots are at birds on the foot....410.  If you think most of your shots are going to be at grouse on the wing...20ga. I use a single shot 12ga with trap reloads and its way over kill!!

What choke is in your 12ga? I am planning on using an 870 12ga. with a skeet choke and #8 shot.