Whatcha Using for The Dove Opener?....

D

Dave McC

Staff In Memoriam
Season here opens 1 Sep, and I just flushed a couple dove here at work, right in the middle of B-more.

So, what will you be using for your feathered foray?

Starting things off, if I can find a place to shoot at, I'll use the little SKB 600 20 gauge. Fast, moderate weight, deadly.

Loads will be reloads of 7/8 oz of 8s, 1200 FPS.

And, do you have a "Dove Gun", or are you using a GP shotgun?

Thanks.....
 
Beretta 303 20ga

Dove and Clay only gun

7/8oz of Federal Top Gun thru a LM choke


added the ammo and dove gun info
 
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Not legal where I am but that may be changing. IF the rules change my choice will be the same load I use for ruffed grouse. 7/8s ounce, #7.5 shot in either 12 or 20.
 
They breed in my yard in the bushes and do a number on the sunflower seeds in my feeders. Unfortunately, I live in a subdivision, so no guns allowed.

Farmer fields will see a S&W Elite Gold SxS choked IC/M with 7/8 #8
 
Not that many at our place, so I'd like to use heat seeking, anti-dove missles. Because I haven't seen ads for any of those, I'll probably use a side by side Stevens 12 gauge with whatever bird shot is in the closet.

I'll just set in the shade out by the pond and wait. I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't see a single dove but saw a whole mess of hogs who know it's dove season and figure nobody will be carrying anything that will inconvenience them.
 
Remington® SPR220 (Baikal® IZH-43) 20ga SxS. I will using 2¾" ⅞oz #8 through IC choke for first (right) barrel; and the same load with ⅞oz #7½ in the left barrel and a MOD choke. These loads are easy on my shoulder and deadly on the birds. I use Federal® ammunition exclusively.
 
My choice for dove is a light-weight 12 ga Pedersoli double, percussion BP, exposed hammers. Nicely balanced, lovely shotgun...
 
20 gauge 11-87 with 1 oz of 7.5's. Im in a dove club with about 25 other a hunters. We plant about 35 acres of sunflowers, corn and millet to shoot doves over. We shoot once a week during all 3 splits.
 
20ga Beretta 686 shooting 7/8 oz of 7.5s

Not only will my wife let me shoot doves, but my wife will be shooting her 20ga benelli montefeltro silver and 7/8 oz of 7.5s right beside me :-)
-scott
 
Dove Gun

I use a Benelli Montefeltro 20 ga. with my AA reloads, 7 1/2 shot. Really looking forward to some Texas and Missouri doves this season...

Bimmer
 
Wow! What a variety, from modern autos to something that was state of the art ca 1850 ( I bet that's a hoot to shoot). Some common characteristics, though.

First, they all enjoy their owners' confidence they will do the job under typical conditions.

Second, did you note that most of the guns were 20 gauge? This is not something that calls for 1 1/2 oz of 2 shot. 7/8 oz in a light, fast handling gun is optimum, IMO.

A decent 12 is OK too, but the extra power potential inherent in the capacity for bigger payloads is superflous in this activity. Still, if that's what you have, hook up some light loads and have at it. I did just that for decades..

Betcha the average weight on these shotguns is around 6.5 lbs. And, the usual flagon of mead says they balance with a slight weight forward feel.

Leesee what else pops up......
 
I'm not going out either ....but I'd have either:

a. Benelli Supersport ...12ga ...30" barrel ( 7.2 lbs ) and I'd shoot some 7/8 oz loads of 8's at 1200 fps..../ I like the longer barrel in a light gun.

b. or I'd go with a Browning Citori, 28ga, XS Skeet model ...30" barrels ...3/4oz of 8's at 1200 fps.../ if I wanted to shoot an O/U / mine is right
at 7 3/4 lbs ....

either one / I can easily carry ...and shoot all day ....
 
Rem 870 Wingmaster...

20ga Lightweight Magnum, 2 3/4 inch, 7/8 oz. #8 Win AA shells, 28 inch vent rib barrel, modified choke. Will carry other choke tubes, "just in case".

This 870 Wingmaster has the most awesome figured wood stock - couldn't ask for anything prettier. Wish I knew how to post pictures.:(.
 
Browning Double Automatic Standard Weight made in 1954.
Old technology that just simply works and just keeps on going and going and going...

Also a Browning A5 light twelve made in 1960.

Good luck to everyone.

I just love dove breasts.

Clarence
 
Around here, on opening day, the dove are in close and standard #9 Skeet loads work fine. Later in the season, and after they've wised-up, the shots are longer and you may want to go with 8s or trap loads.
 
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