For Sharptails I use 6's because shots can be relatively long. I never use my 28 bore on them since I don't use anything larger than 7 1/2 in this gun. It doesn't handle 6's all that well. Because of the potential for longer range shots, I always considered sharptails and huns as 16 or 12 bore birds.
For ruffed grouse with the 28 bore, I use 3/4 oz loads of #9 early in the season and #8's later in the season. In my coverts, which are very thick even in the winter, long shots rarely occur and when they do, I don't shoot.
Ruffed grouse can be successfully hunted without a dog, but I would quit bird hunting if I didn't have a well trained (professionally) bird dog. It just wouldn't be the same for me without a canine companion.
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