9 shot ok for ruffed grouse in 20 ga?

[rifleman]

Is 9 shot ok for ruffed grouse or is it best for skeet only? I have a chance to get some and I shoot skeet a little bit, but not alot. I figured I could load it in my 20 ga and it would last awhile in a light load.

Dave

[Graybeard]

Number 9 shot is really best reserved for the skeet range. Will it kill grouse? Sure IF you are close enough but even so you'll have a LOT of shot in the meat way too much to pick out so you're gonna be chomping down on it when eating for sure. It's not heavy enough to exit.

I reserve #9 for trash birds that are not gonna be eaten only and skeet. It does fair for smaller birds to 30 yards or so but beyond 30 yards and for larger birds it just really isn't ideal. I prefer #8 or even #7-1/2 for bird hunting.

[rifleman]

Thanks GB. That's what I was guessing, but wanted a confirmation. If I get the #9, I'll reserve it for  skeet. I could always use a bit more practice at the skeet field.


Dave

[Catfish]

I`ve never shot grouse, but from my experance with rabbit, phesants, and squirrel I would use # 5 shot. Each pettel has alot more energy so you end up with more kills with less shot in them.

[trotterlg]

I've shot quite a few up here in WA state.  I have used a 16 gauge with #6 shot for them.  This year I have a Savage 24 30-30 over 20 gauge so am going with #7 1/2.  I patterened it today and it will do mutliple hits on a grouse at 50 yards out of this gun.  If I were shooting 3 inch shells I would probably go with the sixes.  Larry

[George Foster]

I have hunted ruffed grouse and woodcock here in the east for 50yrs now.  In the 80's I went through a phase where I would load one box with #9's to start my season and then switch over to my normal #8's for the remainder of the season.  I can tell you I never had any problems killing ruffed grouse with #9's and anyone who has read Burton Spiller will know that he used them all the time for his grouse hunting.  He was considered the Poet Laurette of ruffed grouse for those who don't know.

[Roundup]

I used #9 shot in a single shot .410 for grouse during deer season.  This was more of a camp fodder load rather than a sporting proposition.  Worked just fine.  Now use a Ruger Mk 1 for the same purpose.

[woods]

I hunt grouse hee in pa. alot. I start the season with 8 shot due to leaves and foilage gives me a slight pattern advantage. Once the leaves are off a swithch to 6's as the birds become more elusive and skitish with longer range shots. I shoot a weatherby double 28 ga. so my range is a little shorter most shots being under 35 yrds. 9 shot at this range just doesn't have the gusto and yes I have used it on crows for a test. Crows are slightly tougher but I had alot of cripples almost 30 percent. In other calibers 9 might be ok but for me its for skeet and doves only.

woods

[dakotashooter2]

I don't do much ruff hunting any more but when I did most of my shots where 20 yards or less due to cover. Keep in mind that in typical ruff country the brush is gonna absorb a lot of shot before it even gets to the bird, a reason that lots of pellets isn't a bad idea. I always used #8 s and seemed to have a little more trouble connecting when I moved to #6s.

[rifleman]

Thanks for all the replies and input. I've been loading 20 ga with 9 shot and will be using it for skeet only. I'll be sticking with 7.5 or 8 shot for ruffed grouse. Speaking of that we're only about 3 weeks away from dove season, and 5 weeks away from grouse and archery deer season. I'll also start thinking about some coyote hunting before too long.

rifleman

[Questor]

I use 7 1/2 for everything. I've found it to have the optimal mix of dense pattern, reliable quick kills, bone breaking power at all practical upland shotgunning distances, and without an excessive number of pellets to pick out. In 20 gauge, use the cheap game loads in the early season with an IC or Mod choke. Later in the season switch to Federal Premium for an extra five yards of effective distance.

If it were just about killing the birds quickly, I'd use #9. It's deadly because the probability of multiple hits in vital areas is high -- almost 600 pellets per ounce versus 350 for 7 1/2.

[kiddekop]

 For all species of grouse I use #6 shot in my 12g  Remington 870  Wingmaster Trap Shotgun with a 30" full choke barrel  :Ruffed,Spruce,Blue Grouse, Chukar & on Mtn Quail hunting in the mtns of calif.

[Hank08]

Same here in the Mts. and valleys of Utah, grouse, chuckers, pheasants, # 6 rules.
H08