What would you go with for grouse hunting..a 20 gauge pump action or a 12 gauge dbl barrel.

[shane]

Double with IC chokes and 7 1/2 shot. Unless the pump points better for you. Doubt it.

[mihunter]

i still use my first gun, a remingtion 870 youth pump in 20 ga. its light and compact for getting through the brush, but i also use an old double barrel 20 ga. what ever is light and compact should work great for you.

[rserwe44]

The 20 will have enough take down power, and you wont have to worry about ur shoulder being blown off from the recoil.

[rserwe44]

The 20 will have enough take down power, and you wont have to worry about ur shoulder being blown off from the recoil.

[codyboyd]

20 ga is just the gun for grouse

[MLH]

Double barrels are great for grouse because you can set up with two different chokes - open for close shots and a step tighter for longer/second shots. 20 gauge is about perfect for grouse but a 12 gauge, especially with 1 or 1-1/8 ounce loads, is just fine.

To simulate a more open choke for the first shot in a pump you can handload some spreader loads. Follow up with a normal load for longer shots. Ballistic Products has speader inserts/wads and over shot cards. Or you can load with wads that don't have cups. Be sure to pattern first - some guns/chokes might leave unacceptable holes in the patterns with the inserts.

[huntingkid95]

They both would work. Use whatever fits you best. But a 20 gauge works better in my opinion.

[hunterdave5]

20ga. #6 or 7 1/2 will work just fine

[bat4bab]

410 Anything more is overkill.

[bonnier-admin_2]

The one you feel like humping throught the woods combined with the one you shoot best! Plus shoot the load you intend to use at a target to see which load is best for you. I bring extra chokes with me to make changes as needed in the field if I'm under/over choked and missing!

[Joe Scott]

I agree with most people on here that the biggest factor is whatever one you shoot the best & like carrying the most.

I do use a 12 gauge O/U Browning Citori with a 24 inch barrel though, and I love the versatility that you can have with shot size, chokes, etc. I typically go with a more open choke & a size 8 shell for my first barrel and then a 6 or 7 with a bit tighter choke for the 2nd.

The Upland Hunter has a great article on this if you are interested. I completely agree that the debate about proper gauges is kind of a mute point if the gun doesn't fit you right.