doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Best Possible Grouse Gun

Lowell - They must have traded with more than one state. The turkeys in Minnesota came from Missouri in the mid-70's in a trade for ruffed grouse.

They traded for Indiana grouse? I never knew that Indiana ever had more than 5-10 grouse.

Tell me. When you guys shoot grouse do you shoot them when they're on the ground or in the trees?

I give my vote to the M21 20ga. I like the looks of the gun, the reliable ST and I can shoot all the off season clay targets I want without any problems. I don't understand the pleasure anyone can find in hunting a gun that might come apart at the seams if a SuperX shell is inadvertantly used.

I assume that you are referring to damascus barrels. Well, by only purchasing low-pressure 2-1/2" loads I don't have to worry about that and I certainly don't need Super X shells to kill grouse. However, I have been known to shoot AA Trap loads out of my 1889 12 ga DH with 30" damascus barrels and I pretty much vaporize the birds. But for some reason I just can't seem to break more than 23/round though.

BTW, I shoot skeet, 5-stand, clays and anything else year round with my damascus guns and I have no fear that they will fail. But I do get a chuckle out of knowing that the other guys on my squad are cringing when I call "pull."

Actually I was thinking about the guy who shoots the Tobin that springs open at the sight of a box AA's, but I notice a little sensitivity on the part of you guys with swirled iron barrels. You probably do have some advantage with the clay targets as the rest of the squad cowers in the background. The Super X's are leftovers from SD pheasant hunting.

You're thinking of partridge.......completely different bird.

Sam

I generally point at 'em somewhere in between while they're laughing at me.
Doppler effect thunderous laughter.

john

Okay, how's this? I have a 16ga Sterlingworth that is excellent in the uplands. However, the best possible Grouse gun is my Franchi Falconet O/U in 20 ga. that I picked up 25 years ago for about $125.00. It came with two stocks- the factory and a custom made straight English grip stock with just a bit of cast. I don't even know where the factory stock ever got to- the straight grip one is PERFECT. Gun is modified and improved cylinder, can't weigh more than 6lbs, points like a dream. Of my drillings, other O/U's, Sterlingworths, etc.- the Franchi is one gun I'd never give up. Now if there were just more Grouse in our Pennsylvania hills and mountains.

Mike

a 21 doesn't have a weight issue, they (most of'em) have a missing trigger issue. A very open choke in the right barrel of a gun you shoot well is the best Grouse gun. Might add that having it stuffed w/ a correct load (for the bore)of #9's helps. Mike, there are plenty of Ruff's here in PA. My last four days out, starting w/ Thanksgiving and counting today added up to 110 flushes.