Grouse- 20 gauge or .410

[newfiegod]

I am going to purchase a new shot gun for grouse hunting next year, I am torn between a 20 gauge and a .410 gauge. I used my friends .410 this year with some good success. I have never used a 20 gauge but I see a lot of people use them for grouse. What is the most popular and best gun to use for grouse? I know its all a matter of personal opinion but I am hoping to decide on a gun by what everyone's opinions are. I know the 20 gauge has more range, power, and shot, but does all that damage the birds more? Any insight you can lend would be greatly appreciated.

[catnthehat]

I use all gauges for upland , but rarely a 410.
If I was going to
Buy it only for grouse and I had another gun for other birds maybe, but of not of would be a 20.
More availability of cheaper ammo is one factor for the guy who does not hand load compared to the 410
Cat

[NewAlbertan]

I carried the little 410. Works well plenty dinners..

I'd be concerned at the range I get most of mine that anything larger would waste meat..

[Flieguy]

I'd go 20 for the same reason Cat mentioned, cheaper ammo. You can also bring some slugs along and maybe fill your deer tag. I've shot a fair few grouse with a 12ga and it doesn't shred meat like you'd think, I run 7 1/2 target loads when I hunt them. 410 will limit your range and leave little room for error when wing shooting.

[Pudelpointer]

Are you wing shooting them, or potting them on the road?

To be honest, the 20 is much more useful, and the ammo is much cheaper.

[densa44]

I started with the 20 for all the reasons stated and I was very happy with it.

I then got my hands on a Yildiz .410 that weighs 3.3 lbs and folds in half in Full Choke. To shoot a .410 IMO you have to reload or be so wealthy that you don't have to think about the cost.

I bought some brass empties but found that they need to be re-sized between shots in my cz .410 double, so don't buy those.

If you can scrounge aa .410 hulls you have it made. I use it for Pheasants so grouse will be no problem, I reload #4 lead left over from the goose hunting days and an over wad cardboard. Light, cheap and kills them dead. What else is there?

[ForwardBias]

My vote goes to the 20 gauge.

[NewAlbertan]

Originally Posted by Pudelpointer

Are you wing shooting them, or potting them on the road?

To be honest, the 20 is much more useful, and the ammo is much cheaper.

I find them holding close and blow them to bits.

I will agree 20g is nicer overall.

[rembo]

"20 gauge or .410 on grouse?"....

the only answer is "yes"

[catnthehat]

If a partridge of pheasant is hit close in the body it doesn't really matter what you are using it's going to be bad !
Take them in the head and even with a 12 a close shot is no issue - I know because I do it often using a 12 gauge hammer gun.
Cat

[elkhunter11]

If I must shoot grouse on the ground with a shotgun, I aim high so only the head and neck are struck with pellets. Using that technique, you don't waste meat regardless of the gauge, and the denser pattern of a 20 or 28 gauge is an advantage, as is a fuller choke.

[NewAlbertan]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

If a partridge of pheasant is hit close in the body it doesn't really matter what you are using it's going to be bad !
Take them in the hard and even with a 12 a close shot is no issue - I know because I do it often using a 12 gauge hammer gun.
Cat

I know I'm still learning patience
I did let one pheasant fly out 20 yards this fall before tagging it.
So a lesson from scattering feathers such that the dog gave me ugly looks...

What I'd really like is a combo gun... To sidetrack the thread...

[Flieguy]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If I must shoot grouse on the ground with a shotgun, I aim high so only the head and neck are struck with pellets. Using that technique, you don't waste meat regardless of the gauge, and the denser pattern of a 20 or 28 gauge is an advantage, as is a fuller choke.

I use a 12ga sxs, cover the head with the bead (if they aren't moving) or aim a little higher at farther distances, BOOM goes the modified choke barrel, dead grouse, no pellet in the breast. got one at about 4 yards this way once (seriously). You can imagine the outcome...

[newfiegod]

I never really considered the cost of the shells, very good point. I like the idea of using a slug in a 20 gauge to possibly take a deer. Thank you all for your experience and comments.

[Richard B.]

I have used both and between the two I would go with a 20g because it is much more versatile than a 410 should you wan to branch out to ducks as there is lots of steel shot available

[boonedocks]

Another vote for the 20 gauge based on versatility and cost of ammo!

[timsesink]

I shoot a 20g for grouse and find it's better if you are wingshooting. I would suspect most 410 shooters are ground shooters.

[Fwee6]

Originally Posted by boonedocks

Another vote for the 20 gauge based on versatility and cost of ammo!

Same here. Cost of 410 ammo is laughable.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Fwee6

Same here. Cost of 410 ammo is laughable.

If you shop around, there are some vendors that sell both 410 and 28 gauge loads for reasonable prices. I bought three flats of 28 gauge #7-1/2 target loads for $90 per flat last week, I have purchased several flats of 410 target loads for $100 per flat not long ago. I prefer nickel plated shot loads, but these target loads will work just fine for grouse.

[old dog]

I have both but prefer my 20 gauge side by side. Great for still and on the wing shots. But it is great having the old 410 in the truck when Iam out moose or deer hunting. Nothing better than fresh groused for camp diner.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

If a partridge of pheasant is hit close in the body it doesn't really matter what you are using it's going to be bad !
Take them in the hard and even with a 12 a close shot is no issue - I know because I do it often using a 12 gauge hammer gun.
Cat

Lol, cat, you posts have had terrible spelling lately,,, new voice typing program? Maybe new glasses

[newfiegod]

Well I have decided on a 20 gauge. Thank you all for your input. Now my next question is what length of barrel do you recommend? I am leaning towards a 28 inch barrel on a Weatherly PA-08, assuming I buy new. If I can come across a used one I may be inclined.

[Masterchief]

I have a combo gun 22 mag over 410 mag. The 410 is great for the ground shots, and the 22 mag is deadly for longer shots. I missed a few flying grousse this fall. I would go with 20 gauge... and a combo gun if you can swing it.

[laker]

I'd say depends on the grouse. Ruffed grouse at 10ft on the ground a 410 is perfect for a head shot. A sharptail grouse flying away at 50 yds you're better off with a 12 guage.

[Okotokian]

I don't think the 20 damages much meat. Heck, I used a 12 on them for years before I got my 20. The advantage of the 20 is that if you ever needed an extra gun for waterfowl, the 20 can fill the bill. I wouldn't use a .410 on waterfowl.

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by newfiegod

Well I have decided on a 20 gauge. Thank you all for your input. Now my next question is what length of barrel do you recommend? I am leaning towards a 28 inch barrel on a Weatherly PA-08, assuming I buy new. If I can come across a used one I may be inclined.

I prefer a shorter barrel for a grouse gun, particularly if it's on a pump. I have 26" barrels on my 20g sxs and my 20g o/u. I used to have a browning bps upland with a 22" barrel. http://www.browning.com/products/fir...d-special.html

Going with a pump I would lean towards a 22" or 24" if you are planning on using it exclusively for upland/grouse, especially if you are hunting bush. Less critical if you're hunting prairies or strictly trails, in which case a 26" or 28" barrel would be fine. Just my opinion. (I started out with a winchester 1300 and a 28" barrel in 12g as my do everything shotgun) Lots of versatility in a shotgun of any length or gauge, but some fill certain niche's better depending on personal preference.

[Snm]

I use both but am starting to lean towards a 20.

[Greerzly]

I'd vote 20 gauge, more versatile. 410s are fun but if I could only have one it would definitely be a 20.

[WbyHunter]

My vote would go to the 20 guage as well, not that there's anything wrong with the .410 but as mentioned before you open more doors with the 20. You can't go wrong with the wetherby Pa-08 great shotguns! I have one in a 12 guage as well as the SA-08 in a 12 have no complaints with either of them.

[SakoAlberta]

For 'pot shooting' I use a 410 but for 'hunting' I prefer the 28 g(and my 20 g SXS). If I can ever find a 24 g that fits me, it might be the perfect 'ruffie' gun. Sell enough 24 g shells every year that there must be a few hunters using them..