The history and development of the firearms sector have been correspondent with military developments and hunting culture. From the introduction of the 8×57 IR cartridge in 1888 up to the precise craftsmanship used in manufacturing modern grouse guns, the journey of firearms reflects both technological progress and cultural changes.
First appearing as a military cartridge, the 8×57 IR cartridge was also known as Patrone M/88. In 1905 this was further updated to the 8×57 IS, or the 8mm Mauser. The “S” in its name is interpreted variously as standing for “Stark” or “Spitz”, meaning strong and Spitzer-bullet, respectively. It has a rimmed case variant, the 8×57 IRS. The cartridges that predated the S-variants were much weaker, using a smaller diameter bullet of .318 compared to the modern 8mm Mauser’s .323.
It becomes very important, therefore, to differentiate between these different varieties, and the firing of a .323″ diameter bullet through a .318-diameter barrel could result in serious injury. Although it is not one of the high-performance cartridges, the old-rimmed variety 8×57 IR is still potent enough to bring down most of the European game, except for bear and moose. The trajectory is somewhat arching, but if properly sighted, shots of 150-200 yards are possible without any problem of bullet drop.
The PISTOL S-variant of the cartridge stands at the same performance level as the .30-06 used in many modern drillings. Other common chamberings are with the cartridges 7x65R, 7x57R, and 9.3x74R. History showed that break-action guns worked better with rimmed rounds. Most shotgun barrels are fed with 16/70 shells, a caliber that is disappearing but may still be found in most gun shops. Slugs are also available, making for diversity in hunting situations.
On the other hand, the perfect grouse gun has been debated by hunters for years. The perfect ruffed grouse gun varies in characteristics from weight to length of the barrel. A hunter’s personal experience with an Upland Gun Company, RFM-built Venus boxlock 28-gauge weighing five pounds, one ounce with 28” barrels choked skeet and skeet shows exactly why finding the perfect firearm involves personal preference and customization.
The weight of a grouse gun becomes a crucial factor, as hunters often carry their guns one-handed through thick cover, doing more lugging than shooting. Gene Hill once suggested a grouse gun shouldn’t weigh more than seven pounds, preferably less. A choice of gauge plays an important role in hunting grouse as well: 12-, 16-, 20-, and 28-gauge become acceptable in the ethical killing of a bird within 35 yards.
Another consideration is barrel length. Longer barrels give better swing and result in more successful shots. William Harnden Foster went further, citing that the average distance at which grouse was killed was about 23 yards, which advocated pattern testing the first barrel at 25 yards and the second at 35 yards.
Ultimately, the perfect grouse gun fits the hunter and performs well in the field. To that end, custom dimensions can greatly increase shooting percentage the Upland Gun Company Venus 28-gauge was built to the specifications of the hunter. There are a great many lessons to be learned from collecting and shooting multiple guns, but the art of the perfect gun for grouse hunting only can be mastered by using one with which a hunter can confidently declare: this is it.