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Forums10
Topics38,373
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Most Online1,131 Jan 21st, 2024
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,966 Likes: 293
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,966 Likes: 293 |
GR. % performance is relative to the bird hunted for most people. I don't worry about it by and large.
A famous ruffed grouse shooter used 1.25oz of 9's for something like 10000 birds killed. He must have had a dental plan. People use what they have confidence in.
I do worry about ricochet's and chasing cripples all day. It's a waste of dog time on the ground.
Out there doing it best I can.
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 175
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 175 |
For ruffed grouse I shoot 8's all season. Never had a problem even in the late season/winter where shots are longer. Probably never shoot past 30-35 yards.
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 390 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 390 Likes: 8 |
9 on the the skeet range is ok-make darn sure you wear eye protection those little BBs do come back at you a time or two. 8 and 7.5 shot are my go to loads. 6 shot at turkeys, 2s and BB for goose 4 or 3 shot for ducks. Note you can brake birds on the 27 yard line using 9s, just not crushing breaks.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,522
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,522 |
I don't care what is used on clay targets. However on birds clean kills matter to me. Mostly I hunt Gamble's and Scaled quail, Huns and grouse. Favorite load is 20ga with 3/4oz or 7/8oz of #7s. Just enough heavier to get good penetration and that is what kills birds. Gamble's and Scaled quail have a tendency to take a good hit and once they bounce on the ground to come up running. But not so much with 7s.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965 Likes: 49
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965 Likes: 49 |
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 342
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 342 |
Many years ago, I bought a lifetime supply of #7 shot. I load 7/8 oz. for mountain grouse and 1 oz. for Huns and Chukar. Pheasants get 1 oz. of #6 shot in my Imp, Cyl. barrel and 1 1/8 oz of #5 1/2 shot in my mod barrel. The extra 1/8 oz of #5 1/2 shot has the same approximate pellet count as the ounce of #6's and gives me a little more down range energy for wild flushing pheasants or the 2nd shot on pheasants.
Jim
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,278 Likes: 11
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,278 Likes: 11 |
I had no intention of suggesting that 9's are a proper field choice. It's been 60yrs since I've killed anything in the field but 8's will kill a pigeon in the ring where I might be reluctant to use 9's. Seems that the "use enough gun" is always good advice at some level and it seems that responsible hunters know that.
Dr.WtS Mysteries of the Cosmos Unlocked available by subscription
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,372 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,372 Likes: 103 |
Agree with Ghostrider. Like pretty much all quail, Mearns do get off the ground in a hurry. What helps--if the flush doesn't rattle you--is that you're usually just about stepping on the covey when they go airborne. And there's sometimes a late flusher or 2.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 704 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 704 Likes: 1 |
I use #7 shot on quail, usually 3/4 but sometimes 7/8. For Pheasants, Huns, Chukars I go with #6 or #5 shot, as for loads either 1 oz., 1 1/16 or 1 1/8 oz.
As for shooting Sporting Clays, usually whatever shells are left over after Dove shooting.
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