Defining the "Perfect Grouse Gun"

[Steve Leffler]

I have a DHE 16 that has accounted for a good number of grouse. Weighs 6lbs 6 oz with 28 in barrels and just seems to find the birds when I shoot. Luckily it fits me really well. Never happy to leave well enough alone I just acquired a VH 20 with similar dimensions. The big difference is that it has a straight stock. My plan is to use the 20 in the early season when the woodcock are still here and switch to the 16 later in the year and for pheasants. At least that is the rationale I used to convince my wife I needed another gun

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by Steve Leffler

I have a DHE 16 that has accounted for a good number of grouse. Weighs 6lbs 6 oz with 28 in barrels and just seems to find the birds when I shoot. Luckily it fits me really well. Never happy to leave well enough alone I just acquired a VH 20 with similar dimensions. The big difference is that it has a straight stock. My plan is to use the 20 in the early season when the woodcock are still here and switch to the 16 later in the year and for pheasants. At least that is the rationale I used to convince my wife I needed another gun

See this is the reason why I say there is no prefect grouse gun if there was a perfect grouse gun I would be limited to "one" and that ain't going to happen.........

[John Taddeo]

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.

[Blind Dog]

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.

[C.O.B.]

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

[Harold Pickens]

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
.

[Jawjadawg]

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."

[C.O.B.]

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....

[Harold Pickens]

Rich'
my lips are sealed

[C.O.B.]

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