Community
Upland Bird Hunting Whether you are into pheasants or grouse, quail or chukars, find out what you need to know here.

choke for grouse

Thread Tools
 
Old 08-05-2008 | 09:59 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Spike
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From:
Default choke for grouse

What choke is preferred for hunting grouse? I currently have a modified choke for my gun and was wondering if this would work or would improved cylinder be a better choice?

Any help would be appreciated
buckmastermn is offline  
Reply
Old 08-06-2008 | 04:51 AM
  #2  
ajsdad's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tuscarawas Co. O-H-I-O
Default RE: choke for grouse

If you are talking ruff grouse, I use cylinder and skeet! When it gets later in the season I go to skeet imp. cylinder.
ajsdad is offline  
Reply
Old 08-06-2008 | 06:01 AM
  #3  
Edcyclopedia's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,045
Likes: 0
From: S. NH
Default RE: choke for grouse

In early season while still-hunting / stalking / driving birds (we don't hunt w/dogs) and there's still leaves on the trees I use improved cyclinder.
My therory is you tend to flush birds closer as they are not as skiddish from hunting pressure and also you/they can only see so far due to the foliage.
Once it starts thinning out and if I find I'm flushing more birds farther away, I may move to a modified choke later in the season.
Now that is with my Bennelli 26" barrel - semi-auto.

If I use my Browning over and under with 24" barrels I have my 1st barrel w/imp and my 2nd barrel w/mod,
figuring if I need a follow-up shot on the bird it will be further away and I want a tighter pattern for longer shots.

It doesn't take but 1 pellet to down a grouse or Woodcock, so having a tight pattern isn't as crucial with upland birds as it is with Ducks / Geese / Turkey / Crow.
You do however want to check your pattern at known distances with different ammos and different chokes to get a decent pattern, say 20, 30, 40 yards.
All ammos can perform differently in shotguns and my chosen ammo for both of my shotguns that shoots a decent pattern with my selected chokes is Federal #8 target load (nice and cheap).

Attached pic is 1 day on a very good Columbus day weekend with 5 of my best buddies.


Edcyclopedia is offline  
Reply
Old 08-06-2008 | 03:39 PM
  #4  
skybuster20ga's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
From: oxford county, maine
Default RE: choke for grouse

i hunt over my pointer w/ improved cyl. from arly season to end of november. 20 ga 2 3/4" 1oz # 7.5 or 8's
skybuster20ga is offline  
Reply
Old 08-07-2008 | 03:57 AM
  #5  
maritime363's Avatar
Fork Horn
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Northeast
Default RE: choke for grouse

When we hunt w brittanys/pointers, skeet or improved works great, #8, maybe 7.5 later in season as birds get more skittish. When I hunt w my lab, he stays very close but still the shots tend to be longer as he is flushing-- so I go wa double of improved and modified. If I had to pick one while hunting w him, I'd go with improved.
maritime363 is offline  
Reply
Old 08-07-2008 | 03:15 PM
  #6  
skybuster20ga's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
From: oxford county, maine
Default RE: choke for grouse

its awful hard to beat an improved cyl. really when hunting upland birds up hee in the north. if its far enough out where it needs a mod choke you usually cant see it anyhow cuz its so thick
skybuster20ga is offline  
Reply
Old 08-07-2008 | 05:15 PM
  #7  
MosesLakehunter's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Moses Lake, WA
Default RE: choke for grouse

Improved cyl.
MosesLakehunter is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tsbowers
Guns
0
02-20-2009 07:50 AM
bigtim6656
Guns
4
11-29-2007 04:45 PM
t roy
Guns
5
08-23-2007 01:30 PM
TimberRidge
Turkey Hunting
5
03-31-2004 08:30 PM
KitsapCaller
Turkey Hunting
8
07-02-2003 09:13 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.