An old timer once told me the perfect grouse\woodcock gun is one that is more comfortable and balanced when carried to the front (port arms) than when carried on the shoulder. Moving into a point without having to swing the gun off ones shoulder seems to make the shot second nature. He reasoned when a gun is rested on the shoulder it is done so to relieve an uncomfortable arm due to a over and\or unbalanced weight. All of my ( short barrel, small bore, pistol grip) grouse guns do not ride well on the shoulder. (unless open). The Parker 0 frames,and featherweight Brownings are second to none, "for me", as far as carry and swing are concerned.

My most used "grouse gun" is an old cut barreled VH 2 frame 12, resleeved by K. M. after I burst a barrel. The barrels are 26" and choked .007 and .015. It's a little heavy so I am going to have to try my "new" 5&1/4 pound Fox SW 16 this year. First pic is five years ago with Ringo; second is two years ago with Archie.

I did a quick "tally" and have eleven "perfect grouse guns" from 28 through 16, no 12's for me:nono:

Only 11, Rich? Did you forget to look under the bed and in the garage rafters? Yeah, I probably have around a dozen of what could be considered bonifide grouse getters. I,d have to start with a VH16, with a Sterlingworth 16 running a close second. I usually bring 4-6 with me on my fall trip and enjoy using them all
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I am currently in Switzerland with my wife, staying with a couple of her friends. Just yesterday I managed to drag them in to a hunting store so I could look at their shotguns. After leaving, there was conversation regarding how many guns a hunter needs. I already knew my wife thinks I have too many guns, but they both remarked that it would seem a hunter only needs one gun. I quickly corrected them, carrying on for far longer then either of them were interested regarding the different types of cover, species of bird, distance of anticipated shooting, etc which might prompt a serious hunter to seek out and own many different guns for different hunting conditions. I tried my best to conceal my emerging smile after the Mrs. conceded, "Oh, well I guess that makes sense. I didn't realize they were so specialized."

I said, "Yes, bird hunting is a very complicated sport."

To some (my wife doesn't know exact numbers:) ) it may seem excessive but there are early season guns and late season guns and the in between guns. 11 Grouse guns doesn't sound like much compared to the deer/big game rifles. Don't tell anybody but there are 33 of them....:eek:

Rich'
my lips are sealed

I'm hoping to add a Grouse gun...or two to the stable while at the Southern:)

Only a good bottle of Buffalo Trace will seal my lips. Other than that I can't promise your secret is safe with me. Audrey, are you listening?:rotf:

After 40 years of grouse hunting I must say my 26 inch 20ga VH at just under 6 lb's comes in real close to the perfect grouse gun, but I have used 12ga auto"s down to 28ga side by sides. I think the perfect grouse gun must be 6 lb"s or under and a 16 or a 20 ga, I have no problem with a 12 but it's hard to get a 6 lb one unless its a 2 inch ,which is on my want list, and by the way just over 5 months till grouse season.