Grouse gun

[bob lyons]

I took out my wc scott 28 gauge this year for woodcock and grouse. The gun is currently choked tight mod and full. I wanted to open up the chokes. What would your recommendation be? The hunting would be confined to Maine and New Hampshire with pointing dogs.

[David Noble]

JMHO, I wouldn't alter the chokes. Try using spreader loads to see if that will help. If it doesn't then use a different gun that is suitable for the type of hunting you are trying. The factory chokes will be right for other types of hunting.

[Dean Romig]

100% what David advises.





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[SXS OHIO]

I have tested on steel plate several gun/choke combo's with poly-wad and RST spreaders. RST spreaders showed the best patterns at grouse ranges. I find them to be the perfect solution to open patterns. This is a win-win for the guns and my wallet! (-: I only have chokes altered if its the best choice for the guns intended use or if the chokes are over tight like the Parker reproduction 28ga. guns. I like a Open choke for my first shot and full or tight full for my second when hunting grouse or roosters. With my double trigger guns I have choice of choke with zero delay of my shot! Its happens without thinking....So sometimes I do have only the right barrel opened up. Briley has done work for me. They open chokes to my exact spec and after the barrel work shot point of aim perfectly! SXS Ohio

[Dean Romig]

Kenny, I’ve heard nothing but good reports on the RST Spreader loads.





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[SXS OHIO]

In my tests....16ga. they had the best kill patterns for grouse hunting.

[Stan Hillis]

What method does RST use for creating the spreading effect .......... cross post, obturating disc, etc.?

[Harold Pickens]

Bob, I'm an open choke guy, even in a 28, but would try/ or load spreaders first. Sounds like a great little gun.

[bob lyons]

Thanks guys for the comments.
I would agree about changing the chokes in a “collectors” gun, however I had this one made to my spec’s and purchased it directly from WC Scott in the late 80’s.
Due to a rapidly expanding family and my flushing dog passing on the gun has sat in the safe for a long time .
Recently I stated hunting grouse and wood cock again however with pointing dogs and really enjoy it. It seems that a lot of the Fourm members have a lot of experience with pointing dogs. When I had this one made most of my shots seemed to be quite a bit further out than what I had experienced with my springer spaniel. That is why I had the tighter chokes on the gun 1/4 and 3/4 English measurements.
So I wanted to get some opinions from the group. I plan on opening up the chokes and using this for wood cock and grouse, I have other guns to use other types of hunting/shooting.
Surprisingly this gun still fits me and is a joy to carry around all day.
The hunting will be in maine mostly.
I like to use the heavy 28 gauge loads while hunting and use the regular 3/4 for clay games.
I’m thinking of cylinder for the right barrel but not sure on the left maybe between IC and Mod.
Opinions please.

[Gary Laudermilch]

My grouse gun is a 20 choked .004 & .008. It has served me well for many years. Because I have been using it frequently of late I decided to take it to the clays range today. It broke targets with authority out to 35 yards and I broke 3 in a row at 40. Did not smash them but they broke.