studdog - I have a ruger semi-auto 22 cal. rifle , can't remember the mod #, and it makes a great  grouse gun. For a while I had a scope on it, but then switched to a peep w/ fiber optic front sight. This is alot of fun, and I've always felt that it helped me tune up for deer hunting. Try it, and match the sighting system to that on your deer  or elk rifle.  I take it that your grouse in the west are about as unsuspecting as those we have in northern Maine. By the way, use the hollow points, and absolutely avoid body shots. I shoot for the base of the neck where it starts to widen out .  Head shot will kill em, but I always worry about possibility of just hitting their beak if they move alittle. Ground shots only, and no dogs.
Our grouse are "ruffed grouse" and we call them "partridges". Spruce grouse are a protected specie in Maine.

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See ya, Guy

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