Well, it wasn't much of one, but I got one! In total, the 3 of us shot 2 dusky grouse over 8 days of hunting.

It was really dry up there and the forest service was nice enough to run a dozer through the trails and that let all of the yuppie "Hunters" get into the good places and set up camp in the hunting areas we've had great luck in. These guys actually think they can park in a field and have elk run across their hoods or something

In total we saw 5 grouse, 2 of which are in the freezer. We got a whole lot more meat in the cooler, but thats a story for another day

I busted this one in a tree at around 40 yards, I aimed a little high as I knew she patterns a little low at this kind of distance and squeezed the trigger. Wings went flyin and flappin down the tree until she hit the ground!

70gr Jim Shockeys Gold Super Powder.
over powder card, lubed wad and 1oz 7 1/2 shot

A great deal of shot hit her square in the head.


I'll have to chrono this powder some time because that 70gr charge kicked like a mule.


And for those of you that use ATV's and hunt with a black powder shot gun. Add a little lube to your over shot card so its "glued" to the shot! I pulled my shotgun out of the case one morning and saw a few bb's in the case. I checked and sure enough, the card had come out! After that I lubed the card and no problems since. Check often when using ATV's!

I sure like to hunt grouse with a black powder shotgun. But I am the first to admit, its hard to do. Especially without my old early warning system. Sure miss that dog.

It sounds like you had a lot of fun. I might have to break out the shotgun this year and do some shooting. I have been hearing a lot of grouse in the woods around the house. Might be fun to plant some lead seeds all over the woods.

Nice looking bird there. Good eating too!

Well at least you got a lot of exercise and enjoyed nature.Too bad those "hunters" in their Escalades beat you to the good spots.

Nice! Just tell everyone that is where you aimed

Actually MD I quit using the OTS cards for that same reason. They didn't stay in place. It never was uniform at times when I tried to get them in place.
So
I peel or split a quarter of a fiber wad apart and use that instead as my over the shot holder. Was far better. That has always stayed in place. And after the shot I have never found them. I have found the OTS card at times. and yes I lube it at times too.

Just a thought.

and forgot......Hey congratulations!

JW

Good idea! I'll have to give that a try next time and see how that patterns.

I use a foam disk punched out from those food take-out containers with a 3/4" I.D. pipe (edges sharpened to make a punch).