Grouse loads : Is # 8 shot too small ?

[John Mazza]

I was planning on using RST spreader loads in my Parker for grouse this year.

In an effort to get a wide pattern, I fear that using too large a pellet will lessen my pattern density. As a result, I've certainly rules out # 6 shot. However, is # 8 too small for grouse ?

Please let me know of your experiences with # 8 vs. # 7 1/2.

Thanks !

[Dean Romig]

John, I use #8 shot early in the season when there is still foliage to break up your pattern and the grouse flush relatively close but I switch to #7 or #7 1/2 when there is no foliage and the grouse flush farther out. #6 isn't a bad choice for very late season and if you don't have a dog.

My reasoning for the larger shot sizes later in the season it its (marginally) better down-range energy. I use whatever choke combination that my "gun of choice" for the day happens to have.

[Dave Suponski]

Yup, I agree with Mr. Romig

[John Mazza]

Thanks Dean.

I'm going on a hunt with the Ruffed Grouse Society in November, so I want to have as much "help" as possible hitting birds. (...since there will be witnesses !)

I think 7 1/2 may be the way to go...

[Jay Gardner]

Dean's advice is sound and in my experience it's dead on. I think 7-1/2 is probably a safe bet when the leaves are down so you should be OK.

[David Hamming]

I have a box of #8's in my bag to back up the half box of 7 1/2's I have been using in the early season. I think 7 1/2 to 8's is splitting hairs and I've had good luck with both.

FWIW, in November, I get away from spreaders. Maybe a #7 shot in the right tube and a #6 shot in the second.

Good luck.

[Russ Jackson]

My two cents worth is this ,regardless of the gauge of gun I am carrying ,I always load the more opened choke barrel with # 7 or 7 1/2 ,figuring ,the bird should be closer upon the flush ,I will have more shot in the air and still have good shot penetration at a close target ,and I load # 6 ,in the tighter barrel to make sure I get the most penetration possible for a down range target ,also if you have a runner and the bird flushes wild down range ,it may give you the ability for a longer than usual first shot ,and still give you a " Clean Kill " ,and really ,that is what it's all about , when hunting Pheasants ,sometimes later in the season ,I will even drop down to # 5 shot in my tighter barrel , this combination seems to work well for me ! Good Luck Hunting !

[Jay Gardner]

Russ,

In the past I have employed a similar strategy, especially in the early part of the season when hunting areas where there were more woodcock than grouse. Right barrel was loaded with 7/8-oz of #9 and left with 1-oz of copper plated #8's. Looking back on it, taking a shot at a grouse with a skeet load was probably a little irresponsible and I'd should have gone #8 and#7-1/2.

JDG

[Russ Jackson]

Jay , I am sure you have had success with this ,but in our neck of the woods ,only a week or so into the season and we are hunting Pheasant also ,a real mixed game bag , and I just never felt the need for the very fine shot . I have a Male Britt ,that just loves Woodcock ,and seems to point them from a mile away ,there are areas where I hunt that the only bird in the covert will be Woodcock , at one point I owned a OO Frame 28 Ga. w/ a set of Briley 410 tubes and I would take ,the little " 410 " ,the only way ,I will probably ever own one !! A box of # 8's ,my old Dog Chip ,and head out for Woodcock and just make the Woodcock areas my hunt for the day ! A good time was had by all ,and the # 8's worked just fine ! The other truth is ,I never get that much shot into my Grouse ,that I have to worry about excessive mutilation !:).

[Mark Landskov]

Great advice from all! I use 7-1/2 with excellent results in my 20. Right now, the foliage is quite thick and the grass at the edges of trails is pert near waist high. I don't have a dog to enhance my hunting and always hunt alone, so I have to rely on sight and sound to find the birds. I have located lotsa grouse when they make the little 'gleep-gleep' sounds or when they start scampering away. Very rarely, the birds fly across or down the trail, allowing me a chance at a decent aerial shot. Otherwise, if they take off, they usually head for the deep woods. Even if I hit one way out in the brush, the odds of me finding the bird get slim, unless it is wounded and flapping. I do all right, though. I can only recall 2 or 3 times when I could not find a bird. Cheers!