Post by: Andrew8235 on September 20, 2013, 09:23:38 AM
Post by: Mike450r on September 20, 2013, 09:30:09 AM
Post by: Andrew8235 on September 20, 2013, 09:34:44 AM
Post by: fluentvoo on September 20, 2013, 09:45:43 AM
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.
Post by: dmv9 on September 20, 2013, 09:48:29 AM
and non-toxic is only required on certain wildlife release areas.
Post by: Curly on September 20, 2013, 09:53:26 AM
Blues: 6's and maybe even #5
Post by: Bigshooter on September 20, 2013, 09:56:18 AM
Post by: Andrew8235 on September 20, 2013, 10:00:26 AM
Post by: Big game archer on September 20, 2013, 10:06:51 AM
Post by: 87Ford on September 20, 2013, 01:50:34 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on September 20, 2013, 01:59:50 PM
Post by: Andrew8235 on September 20, 2013, 02:08:56 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on September 20, 2013, 02:11:23 PM
Post by: coachcw on September 20, 2013, 02:19:01 PM
Post by: scout/sniper on September 20, 2013, 02:20:25 PM
125 grain hollow point !:tup:
Post by: Curly on September 20, 2013, 03:01:20 PM
Post by: seth30 on September 20, 2013, 03:03:15 PM
Post by: hntrspud on September 20, 2013, 03:18:45 PM
Post by: Stilly bay on September 20, 2013, 10:33:55 PM
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.
Post by: jackelope on September 20, 2013, 10:58:29 PM
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?
Post by: dreamunelk on September 20, 2013, 11:02:46 PM
Post by: bobcat on September 20, 2013, 11:20:56 PM
Post by: Fishaholic on September 21, 2013, 12:11:34 AM
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 21, 2013, 12:15:35 AM
Post by: rtspring on September 21, 2013, 01:01:18 AM
Post by: PolarBear on September 21, 2013, 01:17:49 AM
#6 shot has been my favorite since I was a kid for grouse, pheasants and quail.
Post by: Stilly bay on September 21, 2013, 08:50:16 AM
#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.
Post by: jackelope on September 21, 2013, 10:54:04 AM
Post by: Stilly bay on September 21, 2013, 11:17:15 AM
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.
Post by: bobcat on September 21, 2013, 11:53:30 AM
Post by: Smossy on September 21, 2013, 11:59:27 AM
Post by: biggfish on September 21, 2013, 06:46:49 PM
Post by: Buzz2401 on September 22, 2013, 12:03:56 PM
Post by: Alpine Mojo on September 24, 2013, 11:25:27 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on September 24, 2013, 11:29:25 AM
Post by: CP on September 24, 2013, 11:36:56 AM
Post by: Curly on September 24, 2013, 11:39:12 AM
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?
:yeah:
Post by: Stilly bay on September 24, 2013, 01:07:27 PM
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.
Post by: CP on September 24, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
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.
Post by: BiggLuke on September 24, 2013, 07:02:55 PM
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.
Post by: Stilly bay on September 24, 2013, 08:39:28 PM
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.
Post by: AspenBud on September 24, 2013, 11:44:27 PM
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.
Post by: JJB11B on September 25, 2013, 12:06:06 AM
Post by: CP on September 25, 2013, 07:11:40 AM
Post by: BiggLuke on September 25, 2013, 07:18:53 PM
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. :chuckle:
Post by: Stilly bay on September 25, 2013, 07:36:16 PM
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. :chuckle:
If you never collected the bird how do you know you hit it? How do you know there was no penetration? :dunno:
Post by: BiggLuke on September 25, 2013, 08:21:05 PM
Post by: Tiger1358 on September 30, 2013, 02:29:43 PM
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!
Post by: bowhunterwa87 on September 30, 2013, 02:44:08 PM