Best 410 load for grouse?

[Guvnor]

I want to try ruffed grouse hunting this fall with my 410. I was thinking of using #6 shot. Is this a good choice or should I go smaller like 7 1/2?

Im also not sure whether I should use the 2 1/2 in. shells or 3 in. Ive patterned the 2 1/2 #6 and they pattern well out to 20 yards. Haven't tried 3 inch yet.

I noticed the 2 1/2 shells are higher velocity than the 3 inch. Do they hit harder despite the lighter payload?

 

[oneounceload]

I have limited 410 shooting experience, but in it, I have found that 2-1/2's patterned better than the three inchers.......For Grouse, depending on distance, you might try 7-1/2 in one barrel and 6 for the second shot

 

[ArmedBear]

I guess that would depend on what "grouse" means.

Here, it means a chicken-size bird that flushes and flies like quail, in steep hill/canyon country.

I wouldn't bank on getting a 20 yard shot.

 

[Gordon]

Grouse are usually NOT hunted with .410s. That said I'd use #6 in 3" as the pellet count qill be low and you want the bird downed with few hits. I hunt quail with my Citori Skeet .410 with 3" 7.5s and it works under 30 yards OK if pointed right.

 

[Runningman]

I really enjoy hunting grouse. The size of grouse can vary a fair amount depending on the area. The range of shooting them can also vary a fair amount. I come prefer #5 in a 3" for using a 410 on grouse but #6 will work, just that range can be a little more limited. The #5 load can be hard to find, I stocked up on 3" Remington #5 in 410 years ago because they seem to be the most effective. Neither one of my 410s will pattern the #4 loads in 3" 410 worth a hoot, otherwise I would use #4 more often.

I've never been to impressed with the killing power of 7 1/2s on grouse even in my 20 gauge. Unless the range is very close 7 1/2 just seem to lack good penetration on grouse. The feathers and skin seem to be tougher than you would think.

 

[Guvnor]

Thanks. I will look for some 3 inch #6 and pattern them compared to the 2 1/2.

Would the higher velocity of the 2 1/2 shells offer an advantage or does 1250 vs. 1100 fps not make that much of a difference?

 

[tactikel]

Ruffed Grouse require several different shells/chokes. You must pattern your .410 with all shells you may use. A plucked grouse is little bigger than your fist, you must hit with 3-5 pellets to kill one cleanly. I like copper plated 6 shot ( in my 20ga). If you have Woodcock flushing I shoot 7 1/2 shot for the first shot, then 6s. Draw an oval 6" x 3" on a paper plate. Whatever range you can put 4 pellets into that oval is your ideal range. I've killed gouse with a single pellet, and had some take a really good pasting and hit the gound running (and get lost in brambles). 20ga is great for grouse, 28 ga is for experts, and the .410 is for really good shots, who have great self control. Please don't pepper and lose birds, the mortality rate of grouse is something like 90% from all sources already. Far more important than your gun is your dog.

 

[Runningman]

Would the higher velocity of the 2 1/2 shells offer an advantage or does 1250 vs. 1100 fps not make that much of a difference?

Don't really know I usually stick with the 3" loads for hunting. Around here the 2 1/2" loads are all most always 7 1/2, 8, &, 9 1200 FPS target/skeet type loads. #6 in 2 1/2" is really rare around here.

One thing I should add when you pattern your 410. I usually do it at 30 or 35 yards with the 410. Use a about a 1" red or orange dot as a aiming point. What you are trying to do is find the center of mass in the pattern (POI) with a particular load from where you aim with your gun. Shotguns a rarely right on. If a load is shooting say 3" low record it in writing in a note book along with other information such as pattern count, range ect. Than look at it and memorize POI before you go hunting. That way you will know you should aim say 3" high on your target when you go hunting. This is especially important when you hunt with smaller gauges such as the 410.

 

[pps]

I use #4 and #5 in mine. After about 30 yards the .410 seems to run out of quite a bit of steam.

 

[ArmedBear]

little bigger than your fist

You have big hands, or small grouse?

 

[BilgeButter]

I've used a marble-sized polished quartz pebble from a slingshot, for a nice decapitation @ maybe 10 yards. The bird was holding still but I felt it was sporting, given my choice in equipment. Tasty, anyway.

 

[Bud Tugly]

I've shot a lot of grouse with a .410 over 45+ years of hunting them. For thick cover I've usually hunted with a .410 single shot break open and find 3" shells with #6 shot works best. In those types of hunting quick shots are vital and you rarely get a second chance.

If the terrain is more open with flushes often at 25 yeards or more then I prefer my Rossi 20 gauge SxS with 7/8oz of #6.

 

[SeekHer]

Firstly, I'll say that I'm thoroughly opposed to the .410 as a bird, of any kind, hunting gun...small game like rabbits and squirrels and feral stuff, OK but not birds...Just not enough power, shot and really overlong shot strings...

Having said that, I have both SxS and O/U .410 and load #4 in one barrel and #5 in the other using 3" shells...If using a 28 bore I use #5 and #6 and single barrel guns #5...