July 9, 2011, 05:01 PM | #1 |
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Dove loads.....
I usually prefer my 20 guage in the dove field. However, nostalgia drives me to use several 12 guages from time to time. Does anyone else drop back to a 7/8 ounce load with a 12 to avoid "overkill"?
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July 9, 2011, 05:11 PM | #2 |
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Myself I use standard "dove loads" 12 or 20ga. I'm not to worried about "overkill" , I'm a "regular Kill" type of dove hunter.
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July 9, 2011, 06:09 PM | #3 |
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I use 12 gauge 7/8oz loads for targets year round. If I was to use a 12 for doves, I would use those loads. but I use a 20 with either 7/8 or 3/4 oz loads
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July 9, 2011, 06:21 PM | #4 |
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On those rare occasions when I actually get to go shoot dove, I need all the help I can get. 12ga with the 1 1/4 oz loads.
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July 9, 2011, 06:35 PM | #5 |
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Around here, along the CA/MX border, lightweight 28-ga guns with 3/4-inch loads are becoming popular. For opening day, standard #9 skeet loads work well. For later in the season, after the birds have smartened-up, you might wanna go with #8s.
It's been my experience that you'll get better 7/8-oz performance from a 20-ga gun than from a downloaded 12-ga. If you wanna hump a big gun for nostalgia, don't worry about a 12-ga with 7/8-oz being overkill. Yikes, are those duck sized dove? |
July 9, 2011, 07:18 PM | #6 |
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I usually use the 20 with 7 1/2's-9's Never use the 12 for dove.
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July 9, 2011, 08:18 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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July 9, 2011, 09:46 PM | #8 |
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My Beretta White Onyx Sporter is a trifle ponderous for dove, but I have used it with 7/8 oz loads with decent results. Since I obtained an Ithaca/SKB 20 gauge O/U last year, I plan on using that instead.
IIRC, I used Trap grade 7/8 oz loads of 7.5 shot at 1200 FPS through LM and Mod chokes. If I hit them they were dead before impact.... |
July 9, 2011, 09:56 PM | #9 |
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My wife uses a Beretta Onyx Sporter and my Savage 350 with 7 1/2's, there's not a lot of birds lately
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July 9, 2011, 11:01 PM | #10 |
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In a 12 I reload 1 1/8 oz. #9. Good high quality hard shot is key in any load.
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July 10, 2011, 02:09 AM | #11 |
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In whatever 20 gauge gun I take... I use Estate or Federal Game Loads with 7/8 oz of 8 shot...
Something like this.. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=975167 For the .410 I use this... Remington STS #8 @ 1300 FPS.. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=813402 I haven't used a 12 gauge in years... Although I generally have one with me in case the conditions are poor.. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=968868 If you feel that 7/8 oz out of a 20 gauge is not enough.. Just check out this load http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=713814 Last edited by .300 Weatherby Mag; July 10, 2011 at 02:36 AM. |
July 10, 2011, 09:30 AM | #12 |
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1 ounce for me I bought 2 cases (20 box cases) of 12 ga 1 oz Activs at GEMCO when they folded and still have a case.
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