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

In the U.S. the hunting of Ruffed Grouse is rough hunting in rough country. There is no doubt that the best possible shotgun for hunting Bonasa is the Winchester Model 21. And the best 21 is the Skeet Gun. The ability of the 26 inch barrels and the WS1 and WS2 chokes to meet the requirements of putting lead on bird are nothing short of amazing. The robust stocking even in straight grips means that even taking a tumble off a dozer path in Baraga County might leave your gun full of mud but in one piece. Nevertheless, the soon to be tested CSMC RBL has me wondering-can the formula be improved upon?

It could be improved upon by getting rid of the looooong action bar. That "robust" stocking (some guys call their wives robust, I call 'em "fat") doesn't lend itself to a one hand carry through the schrubage all that well, and the gun is always overweight in any gauge you want to look at. Further, the propensity for the chromoly barrels to not be properly wetted by the solder at assembly and pop ribs later is well documented. So, in closing, improve those things, and then trade it for any English or continental double trigger 16 and you will indeed have the ideal grouse gun.
Where is Russ in our hour of need?
Best,
Ted

I have a 16 ga Sterlingworth with Skeet and Modified chokes and a stock bent to fit. Its hard to find anything in the uplands to which it isn't suited. Not to say other guns won't work (I have a bunch) but it is near perfect. My second choice is a Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon sporting with the appropriate chokes.

I have honestly never been a 21 fan. Too heavy, and the action is so long as to look clunky. In my mind, it is the ideal target double (which in reality is it's original intent I think).

E.J. Churchill 'Premier Quality' SLE w/XXV barrels choked 1/4-1/2. You did state 'best', right. Homey, when you're contemplating dancing in the 'Nutcracker' why pick a bodybuilder as a partner?

Lord, we have another disciple of Russ' "fenceposts"! Just give me a pocketfull of 20's and my 26" 1927 SW choked I/M- I/C !

Mine is a 16 ga Parker DH with 28" perfect damascus barrels choked r=cyl. left=im. and weights 6-lb, 4-oz. She was killing grouse in 1894 right after she left the factory for the woods of Maine where she remained until I brought her to MI this past spring. This IS a grouse gun, from day one. Beautifully detailed engraving with traces of case color, well figured french walnut, and fine damascus barrels - to me, this is the perfect grouse gun.

I think what he meant to say was you CAN shoot grouse with a 21. But, a 7 1/2 lb, 26" barrel, SINGLE TRIGGER, ejector, pistol grip, model 21 would be the worst example of a grouse gun I could think of. No, wait. The WORST would be a model 21 Duck. Then the above. So, second worst.
Best,
Ted

I have a little Harkom 16 that I use for grouse, Huns, chukars... 27" steel tubes, 5lbs. 9 ozs. SG, DT, IC and full now, going to be SK1 and LM very soon. Good back-up gun for the Fox 18, and worthwhile when you have a long day ahead tramping the country.

I do like Model 21 16s, but damn, they're heavier than they need to be.

My Fav is a 20 ga 5lb 28" Barreled, choked cyl & .005 French Roblin Bar in the Wood sidelock. A joy to carry one handed all day long and still be quick enough to catch up with one.

Jeff G.

I've got a 6# Merkel 1620 (16 ga) that is a pretty good grouse stick. I just picked up a little Belgian A5 Twenty that is almost as light and it might see some action next month.