Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: Dave Workman on June 15, 2009, 04:49:40 AM

Title: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on June 15, 2009, 04:49:40 AM: 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?
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: ICEMAN on June 15, 2009, 06:58:34 AM: Oh yeah. Love the Ruger...
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: TeacherMan on June 15, 2009, 07:25:49 AM: 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).
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: CP on June 15, 2009, 07:27:45 AM: 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.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on June 15, 2009, 11:42:47 AM: 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.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 15, 2009, 12:30:54 PM: 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
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: testar77 on June 15, 2009, 12:39:16 PM: Quote
I've also taken several with .357 and .44magnums. Just shoot the head off!

Kinda like last year!!! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: MHWASH on June 15, 2009, 02:29:23 PM: 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.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on June 16, 2009, 09:18:04 AM: 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?
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: CP on June 16, 2009, 11:15:10 AM: Quote from: Dave Workman on June 16, 2009, 09:18:04 AM
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.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 16, 2009, 01:05:48 PM: 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
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: high country on June 16, 2009, 07:44:41 PM: I have been known to poke a chick here and there

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi193.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz16%2Fgyonemura%2FP9150117.jpg&hash=0ffe425356fc02feaa066ab473b052d9588ba995)
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: high country on June 16, 2009, 07:45:36 PM: too bad it was not open on this day...........good target ;)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi193.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz16%2Fgyonemura%2FP5280183.jpg&hash=d2016c2aea94f87cf8805adc1fc234c6ac05c1f2)
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on June 17, 2009, 02:06:12 PM: 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!!!!!
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 18, 2009, 02:57:26 PM: 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
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on June 18, 2009, 07:12:55 PM: THAT is good shooting!
It'll sure conk a grouse in the noggin.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: satchel3006 on June 18, 2009, 09:38:28 PM: im really digging that pic with the .36 colt. im shooting reming sub-sonics in my ruger mk III. federal 50 grain jhp in my single six and i think i might try my remington 1858 target this year with some roundballs
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: T-Bone on June 19, 2009, 04:33:15 PM: I've owned a Ruger MK 1 Target version with the 6 7/8" barrel for years and enjoyed it on a number of grouse trips. The only change I made to it was to add a pair of checkered walnut grips from Ruger.

My only gripe on the Ruger .22 automatic pistols is the "pain in the ass" trick of re-assembly after disassembly. :bash:
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on June 21, 2009, 11:15:34 AM: Ah, yes, the re-assembly headache.
Well, I've discovered a short cut. :bash:

AEROSOL CLEANERS! :P :chuckle:

Soak the action with Hoppe's then spray it down with one of those grease and oil removers that air dry. And then add a couple of drops of oil and you are "in the berries."
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: actionshooter on June 21, 2009, 09:32:13 PM: I've used this for grouse a time or 2 :P

Seems to work :chuckle:
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: ing on June 22, 2009, 06:52:22 AM: I'm shooting a Ruger 22/45 with a 4" barrel. When I'm shooting shotguns I'll use #6's sometimes #4 shot. I know, most of you probably shoot 71/2's or 8's, but when I'm shooting in thick cover I've had better luck with the larger shot sizes.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 22, 2009, 07:53:24 AM: [quoteSeveral years ago my BIL took two shots at a couple grouse in the tree with his rifle. :yike:][/quote] :yike: :hunt2:
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on June 25, 2009, 06:53:43 AM: Quote from: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 22, 2009, 07:53:24 AM
[quoteSeveral years ago my BIL took two shots at a couple grouse in the tree with his rifle. :yike:]
:yike: :hunt2:
[/quote]

I hit a grouse once with a .308. I found grouse chunks spread over a pretty wide area. Just about enough for a diet meal
:P
:chuckle:
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: mattaylor81 on June 25, 2009, 11:38:43 AM: I have a Ruger Mark III Target. I want to use it for grouse this year. It shoots and feeds Federal Auto Match, and CCI Mini-Mag LRN very good. I have noticed it sometimes has feeding issues with hollow points. My question is for those of you that have shot grouse with 22's do you have birds that get away when shot with LRN bullets as opposed to hollow points.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 25, 2009, 11:46:31 AM: Nothing gets away when you shoot it in the head! :chuckle:

-Steve
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on June 25, 2009, 12:38:05 PM: Quote from: JackOfAllTrades on June 25, 2009, 11:46:31 AM
Nothing gets away when you shoot it in the head! :chuckle:

-Steve

EXACTLY!
;) :rolleyes:
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: ICEMAN on June 25, 2009, 07:03:31 PM: mattaylor81, the birds I have shot drop and flop.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: high country on June 25, 2009, 08:09:06 PM: Quote from: mattaylor81 on June 25, 2009, 11:38:43 AM
I have a Ruger Mark III Target. I want to use it for grouse this year. It shoots and feeds Federal Auto Match, and CCI Mini-Mag LRN very good. I have noticed it sometimes has feeding issues with hollow points. My question is for those of you that have shot grouse with 22's do you have birds that get away when shot with LRN bullets as opposed to hollow points.

bang flop.......flap.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 26, 2009, 10:49:22 AM: Quote from: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 22, 2009, 07:53:24 AM
[quoteSeveral years ago my BIL took two shots at a couple grouse in the tree with his rifle. :yike:]
:yike: :hunt2: I was worried more about a solid backdrop for bullet. I see nothing wrong with a safe and ethical shot that happens to miss and spoil some meat....
[/quote]
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Blacklab on August 10, 2009, 07:35:00 PM: Quote from: JackOfAllTrades on June 25, 2009, 11:46:31 AM
Nothing gets away when you shoot it in the head! :chuckle:

-Steve

Years ago a good buddy and I would have a contest on grouse Head shots only. I'm a pretty good shot ;) but bobby was better :'( Always a great time.
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: BigGoonTuna on August 10, 2009, 08:13:05 PM: i don't know if a grouse even has enough mass in its head to open up a hollow point .22. i'll be shooting standard velocity CCI or subsonic aguila(whichever i can find).
Title: Re: .22 Pistol for grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on August 13, 2009, 07:04:08 PM: Quote from: BigGoonTuna on August 10, 2009, 08:13:05 PM
i don't know if a grouse even has enough mass in its head to open up a hollow point .22. i'll be shooting standard velocity CCI or subsonic aguila(whichever i can find).

Certainly a good choice. I'm taking my Ruger .22 to the range this weekend to blow away a bunch of plastic bottles just to practice up for head shots...

I'm also going to shoot a few of those shot cartridges, for a story.