Favorite 20ga loads for grouse

[tolle141]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering what your favorite loads are for grouse? Feel free to chime in with choke comments as well. I have an O/U

Thanks!

[Kettle]

I shoot 7.5 or 8s, early on in the season I use a imp cylinder or skeet. Later on in the season when the leaves drop I will switch to mod. In regards to type of shells I like the federals premium shells. Always eject nice and they are high brass. I shoot my 12 more than my 20.

Kettle

[monstermoose78]

I like Mod choke and 7 1/2 or 6 shot because where I hunt they dont like to fly so it is head shots.

[Neighbor_guy]

With the sxs I use C left and IC right. 7.5 shot or 6 shot if they are jumping early

Out of the semi auto I like to use IC and whatever is in the truck at the time works. Usually that ends up being 6 shot. I am a firm believer in the "magic pellet theory" and those seem to be the pellets that get it done for me.

Always a 20ga, and always fedral shells!!!

[R. Miller]

7.5 and 6.

[tacklejunkie]

IC/IC both barrels and 7.5 shot.

[Bobby Bass]

single shot 20 I pack #6's for when the leaves are up and when the leaves come down then I switch over to my double and shoot 7.5's on the mod side and still shoot #6's on the full side. Still have to be able to reach out and touch some of them quick to fly birds on the tote roads.

[fishuhalik]

Geez. I always used 6 early & 4 late. You guys must be hunting over dogs. I lost too many birds with 7.5

[Basseyes]

Early in the year, especially when woodcock opens, I really like a 9. Latter in the year go down to 8's and 7's. Once woodcock are gone, leave it in the 7 range.

[yukontom]

#9's Improved Cyl.

[birdguy]

High Base 6 with IC for grouse is my standard load/set up.

[birdguy]

I hold a yearly shoot each year with my hunting friends and we all agree that the high base 6 shot using an IC choke for grouse is the way to go in northern Minnesota. Woodcock, if that's what you're specifically hunting, do require 7.5 or 8 shot. Later in the year I actually use low base 4 shot for grouse.

Here's this years Shoot that I held a few weeks ago.

[jgrimmz]

Geez. I always used 6 early & 4 late. You guys must be hunting over dogs. I lost too many birds with 7.5

I agree, I typically use federal 6's in my 20 ga. with a mod choke and winchester 4's or 6's in my 12 ga. with an IC later in the season if the 20 ga. isn't working for me, just personal preference. My buddies use anywhere from 4's with IC to 8's with mod depending on conditions and their shooting abilities.

[tacklejunkie]

Why do you guys use 4 shot? I use 7.5 all season and never had an issue even when I didn't have a retriever

[swamptiger]

Just had a grouse for supper...ummmm..

I use my trusty old Stevens 20 ga. side-by-side and 6 shot for grouse. Typically hunt heavy cover, and ground swat most of my birds.

[fishuhalik]

Why do you guys use 4 shot? I use 7.5 all season and never had an issue even when I didn't have a retriever

I don't see why I shouldn't use heavier shot. Never had a problem tearing birds up. If they're close & on the ground I'll swat 'em in the head. If they fly close I'll let em fly a little. If I'm only presented with a close shot in the air I'll pass. I figure I get more birds on long shots with the 4s that I would have to pass on if I was loaded with 7.5s. But to each their own. If you prefer using lighter shot & can discipline yourself to pass on birds that are out of range, more power to ya!

[tacklejunkie]

I don't see why I shouldn't use heavier shot. Never had a problem tearing birds up. If they're close & on the ground I'll swat 'em in the head. If they fly close I'll let em fly a little. If I'm only presented with a close shot in the air I'll pass. I figure I get more birds on long shots with the 4s that I would have to pass on if I was loaded with 7.5s. But to each their own. If you prefer using lighter shot & can discipline yourself to pass on birds that are out of range, more power to ya!

I wasn't being critical of anyone using larger shot nor did I mean one shouldn't. It was just a curiousity question. I always thought of 4 shot as a duck load. The heaviest I've used for grouse was 6 shot. I have IC chokes in both barrels so I don't know what kind of spread I would get with a 4 shot in a 20.

[NoWiser]

I use 7 1/2 shot all season long, usually the Federal Premium. It works great on grouse and doodles. I personally couldn't imagine using 4 shot on grouse. If they are that far away that I need to use that big of shot, there is no way I'm getting a shot at them anyways. At least not where I hunt. I need all the pellets I can get!

[jgrimmz]

Why do you guys use 4 shot? I use 7.5 all season and never had an issue even when I didn't have a retriever

Using 4 shot started for me because of all the leftover loads from duck hunting, usually the shells that have gotten wet or dropped in the muck. I use it to have more knock-down power in the thickets and a bit more range. Never had any problems with having a ground up bird after or one full of lead. I prefer to use 6 shot though.