I haven't used 1 1/4 on pheasants since I was busy mis-spending my youth!
Bought some questionable loads "on sale" back in the day.
I'm a conservative shooter, and I prefer to let those 40 yard shots go. I really like to eat birds. You can usually get a grouse up twice. A pheasant with a 40 yard start on you usually makes you hunt twice as hard once he hits the ground, after a shot. I hate losing birds.
My grouse loads look, like Larry says, a lot like my pheasant loads-1 oz of English 5s or 6s, which aren't really 5s and 6s. I have some English 7s left in the case downstairs that I bought when W. Richards was in MO, but, I keep forgeting to use them. Those are pretty good for a round of sporting clays.
I suppose if #9 and 10s would have been commonly available in the disco era (when I had to start buying my own ammunition) I would have tried them. And I would have ended up right where I am.
The only place I regularly see 9s is the range. Never have seen commercial 10s.
Some of those early season 20 yard passing shots on a grouse that someone else has flushed would convince most that 1 1/4 is too heavy-I like to eat 'em, not rinse 'em out of the plastic bag when I get home.
An argument about the merits of 6, 7 1/2 or 8 shot being used on ruffed grouse is mostly moot. They are all 'gonna work, most of the time. The cheapskate Barvarian in me is comfortable with 1 oz loads for most grouse shooting. Hate to be inefficient, you know.
Wish the season was still open. I'd find something to use...
Best,
Ted
