Silver, I am not a fan of using a 8 pound gun for grouse hunting. Even if the gun balances perfect, all the one hand carry would have me needing a carple-tunnel splint the next day. I think that is one of the reasons that the light weight game gun has developed as it has. If I had to go with the drilling I would look for a light weight 12, if you can find one in your price range or maybe a 16 or 20 gauge to cut down the wt.

Tim