Use a 12ga, and No Nitro!

September 9, 2014 | By | 4 Replies More

SBH_DP_Harbor_350We realize that people bid hunt the way they want to, which may not be the most productive way to do it. That’s fine…but that’s not for us. We’re always looking for every advantage we can get.

So a brief reference in a recent issue of Field & Stream led us to a couple articles (here and here) that really point to only one conclusion, one we had in Serious Grouse Hunting Book 1 though for a different reason.

In the book, we pointed out that more pellets in the air (from higher-gauge shells) equaled a better chance to connect with a bird. Turns out it also means this:

> Pellets are randomly distributed after the shot, so all patterns have gaps in them.

> Generally, the fewer pellets in a load, the more empty spaces your pattern will have….

To us that argues for a 21ga, or at least a 16ga, for any bird. The other F&S article had these insights:

> Hard, round pellets that are launched at lower velocities [pattern] better because less shot is deformed, so they remain in the pattern.

> Use the smallest effective shot size for the game you’re hunting. Heavier payloads of smaller shot usually produce fewer gaps.

> Tighten your choke. Ashby prefers to use tight chokes…. “I will give up a few fringe hits to get every bird I deserve when I center a target,” he says.

Take that and run with it!

 

Category: Ammo/shells, Shot sizes

Comments (4)

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  1. Dave J says:

    Nice to see you guys posting again, hadn’t seen a new one in a while. That time of the year again, good time for some new posts!!!

  2. Nick M says:

    Yes, good to see you posting! I’ve been wondering if you’d start up again. Anyway, I read those articles too and a few things stuck out, but the one that really got me is the idea of tightening choke. I completely disagree. Most of my shots are within 30 yards, (most are actually closer to 20 yds) and at that range there’s really not much advantage to tightening your choke — and you risk ruining your dinner. In fact, I find I do much better with cylinder or skeet chokes. The key is matching your choke to the bird and cover you’re hunting, not simply tightening your choke.

  3. Dennis says:

    Hello, When I am in the mood to have Grouse frustrate me. I go to the Western Mountains of Maine to ruin an otherwise nice fall day.

    I use an AL-391 12GA. What shot size, choke, and oz size would you suggest I try.

    There is usually about a half a blink before they get a tree between them and my muzzle so I can use any help you can offer.

  4. Anthony says:

    As to the last remark about fringe or centered hits, while a fair point, I want my birds to be edible when I recover them. Hitting a grouse with a modified choke at 20 yards will result in a ball of messy, bloody feathers. The late Michael McIntosh of Shooting Sportsman magazine penned a very informative column not long before his untimely death about chokes. In it he argued that, but for a very few specialized applications, modern shotshells and improved non toxic shot have made chokes obsolete.
    My own experience is that you are better to go with an open choked gun and high quality shells adjusted to the scenario rather than fretting about chokes. I know when I can hit a bird and when I can’t.

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