Dove season! What's your dove gun?

Dave R · August 30, 2006, 04:11 PM

Dove season opens Friday, here. I'll be checking out my dove gun tonight.

I typically use a 12 ga. SXS with twin triggers. I like the ability to choose chokes, or even loads, in an instant.

On the other hand, I have always wanted to take my 18" Defender on a dove hunt. I think the fast handling might be an advantage.

So, what's your dove gun?

HSMITH · August 30, 2006, 04:24 PM

Browning Gold 20ga with a 26" barrel. It knows what I am thinking and does what I want faster and better than anything else I have shot. AA or STS target loads with 7/8ths oz of 8's is what I normally shoot if I don't have any equivalent handloads ready.

If it is really windy I will take my SuperX2 and load it down to 1 1/8th oz of 8's.

InSoMNiaX23 · August 30, 2006, 04:53 PM

Benelli M1 Field, 12ga 24" bbl. I use 1 1/8oz of 7.5 shot loaded to 1250fps.

Hedley · August 30, 2006, 05:18 PM

The same Remington 1100 that I shot my first dove with 20 years ago.

hpg · August 30, 2006, 05:43 PM

870.................

Stiofan · August 30, 2006, 05:58 PM

Normally either my Ithaca SKB O/U or my Savage-Fox S/S, both with 26" barrels in 12ga.

Ocassionally I'll use my Auto 5 12ga as well.

VirgilCaine · August 30, 2006, 06:25 PM

Rem 1100 Lt 20.

gordo b. · August 30, 2006, 07:31 PM

Browning BSS 12 ga. 28" mod and full but has been long forcing coned and 'loosened' a little in choke for improved patter density, Win. AA 7.5s or Rem. 7.5 Nitro. Where I shoot is a little different; out over a canyon or tree tops on a Ridge in Carmel Valley. Flights come over oak tree tops from up the valley.

R.D.Wheeler · August 30, 2006, 07:44 PM

Rem Sportsman 48 16ga.

scotts_4x · August 30, 2006, 08:08 PM

Mine is a 20ga Beretta 686 white onyx o/u. ic/m chokes and 7/8oz. of #8's. good eating ahead my friends, happy hunting.

-Scott

Tahoe · August 30, 2006, 08:22 PM

I'm actually packing for my little hunt trip.

I'll take my Weatherby O/U with Improved and Modified and my Benelli M1. I'll take both chokes just in case. I'll shoot 7 1/2 and 8's.

I've gained confidence with the improved after shooting quite a few clays in the last week with it, with decent success.

FirstFreedom · August 30, 2006, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Browning Gold 20ga with a 26" barrel.

That'd be my ideal (jealous of HSMITH), but until I get it, the NEF Excel auto 5 12 ga. 22" (turkey gun).

Do y'all single-barrel guys use cylinder, improved cylinder, or modified for dovies?

Quote:

The same Remington 1100 that I shot my first dove with 20 years ago.

I'd say that you're definitely consistent!

banditt007 · August 30, 2006, 10:53 PM

first dove hunt ever mid september in PA.

my equipment is as follows, wether it is ideal or even right i am unsure but think i got it covered to get by decently.

1300 winchester 12 gauge pump 28" barrel

2 3/4" #8 shot, 1oz @1290 FPS

mod choke

maas · August 30, 2006, 11:04 PM

i use my browning gold 3 1/2" 12ga with a extra full choke. im thinking about reloading some 3 1/2" 7 1/2's. that will do a number on doves.

Dave R · August 30, 2006, 11:43 PM

Quote:

i use my browning gold 3 1/2" 12ga with a extra full choke. im thinking about reloading some 3 1/2" 7 1/2's. that will do a number on doves

You must like dove soup.

hoghunting · August 30, 2006, 11:49 PM

This season I'm using a L C Smith external hammer SxS that was made in 1913. I just restocked it and replaced some of the internal parts and it shoots like a dream. No wonder the old timers liked them so much.

hossdaniels · August 31, 2006, 05:41 AM

the citori's work out is starting saturday at noon.

ammo.crafter · August 31, 2006, 06:39 AM

An ancient Charles Daly 20 SxS with light loads + #7 1/2. Good eating. Enjoy!

Dave McC · August 31, 2006, 08:26 AM

Any shotgun one can shoot well makes a decent dove gun.

i'll use an 870. I've a couple that'll work.

7/8 oz reloads, choke from Skeet to Full, depending on how they're flying....

HSMITH · August 31, 2006, 09:00 AM

FF, I screwed a full choke in that Gold 20 about 5 or 6 years ago, and can't remember where the wrench is. I haven't used anything but a full choke for hunting in a LONG time regardless of gun or game hunted.

FirstFreedom · August 31, 2006, 09:14 AM

Interesting, Hsmith, thanks.

oletymer · August 31, 2006, 10:50 AM

Browning Cynergy, 30" barrels, modified and improved modified. It gets a lot of doves on the plate.

springmom · August 31, 2006, 12:14 PM

It'll be my new Beretta AL-391 Urika 20ga. Still looking around for an opportunity to go, though. If not, it'll be my duck-duck-goose gun this fall

Springmom

Quickdraw Limpsalot · August 31, 2006, 12:31 PM

My 28" barrelled, 10 year old el cheapo Maverick 88! Been bustin' critters with it for years. It's lightweight, reliable, and weatherproof... perfect field gun IMO. The low-dough price tag makes it even better.

[edit] Although.. I may take my 835 this year too and give it a go. Couldn't hurt to have a backup on a 3-day hunt!

Hedley · August 31, 2006, 02:19 PM

Here you go FirstFreedom...my first dove hunt some 20 years ago with the same 1100 sitting in my closet. I don't know, I might take my father's Citori out of retirement if I get a chance this year.

August 30, 2006, 04:11 PM	#1
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	Dove season! What's your dove gun? Dove season opens Friday, here. I'll be checking out my dove gun tonight. I typically use a 12 ga. SXS with twin triggers. I like the ability to choose chokes, or even loads, in an instant. On the other hand, I have always wanted to take my 18" Defender on a dove hunt. I think the fast handling might be an advantage. So, what's your dove gun? __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

August 30, 2006, 05:18 PM	#4
Hedley Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,279	The same Remington 1100 that I shot my first dove with 20 years ago. __________________ It is imperative to strike down the rise of modernism which would lend itself to folly such as the use of billet components.

August 30, 2006, 05:43 PM	#5
hpg Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2002 Location: in the Bluegrass State Posts: 1,610	870................. __________________ NRA member Semper Paratus

August 30, 2006, 07:44 PM	#9
R.D.Wheeler Member Join Date: June 17, 2006 Location: Four Oaks, NC Posts: 36	Rem Sportsman 48 16ga. __________________ An elephant: A mouse built to government specifications. R.A.H. Think ya used enough dynamite there, Butch?

August 30, 2006, 10:53 PM	#13
banditt007 Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2006 Posts: 694	first dove hunt ever mid september in PA. my equipment is as follows, wether it is ideal or even right i am unsure but think i got it covered to get by decently. 1300 winchester 12 gauge pump 28" barrel 2 3/4" #8 shot, 1oz @1290 FPS mod choke Last edited by banditt007; August 30, 2006 at 11:55 PM.

August 30, 2006, 04:24 PM	#2
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	Browning Gold 20ga with a 26" barrel. It knows what I am thinking and does what I want faster and better than anything else I have shot. AA or STS target loads with 7/8ths oz of 8's is what I normally shoot if I don't have any equivalent handloads ready. If it is really windy I will take my SuperX2 and load it down to 1 1/8th oz of 8's.

August 30, 2006, 04:53 PM	#3
InSoMNiaX23 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2005 Location: STL Posts: 241	Benelli M1 Field, 12ga 24" bbl. I use 1 1/8oz of 7.5 shot loaded to 1250fps.

August 30, 2006, 05:58 PM	#6
Stiofan Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2006 Location: Panhandle, Idaho Posts: 714	Normally either my Ithaca SKB O/U or my Savage-Fox S/S, both with 26" barrels in 12ga. Ocassionally I'll use my Auto 5 12ga as well.

August 30, 2006, 06:25 PM	#7
VirgilCaine Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2004 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 419	Rem 1100 Lt 20. __________________ "Danger Itself Is The Best Remedy For Danger"

August 30, 2006, 07:31 PM	#8
gordo b. Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2002 Location: Peoples republik of Calif. Posts: 961	Browning BSS 12 ga. 28" mod and full but has been long forcing coned and 'loosened' a little in choke for improved patter density, Win. AA 7.5s or Rem. 7.5 Nitro. Where I shoot is a little different; out over a canyon or tree tops on a Ridge in Carmel Valley. Flights come over oak tree tops from up the valley.

August 30, 2006, 08:08 PM	#10
scotts_4x Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Posts: 71	Mine is a 20ga Beretta 686 white onyx o/u. ic/m chokes and 7/8oz. of #8's. good eating ahead my friends, happy hunting. -Scott

August 30, 2006, 08:22 PM	#11
Tahoe Member Join Date: March 20, 2006 Location: Granite Bay, California Posts: 79	I'm actually packing for my little hunt trip. I'll take my Weatherby O/U with Improved and Modified and my Benelli M1. I'll take both chokes just in case. I'll shoot 7 1/2 and 8's. I've gained confidence with the improved after shooting quite a few clays in the last week with it, with decent success.

August 30, 2006, 11:04 PM	#14
maas Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2005 Location: The state of Jefferson Posts: 897	i use my browning gold 3 1/2" 12ga with a extra full choke. im thinking about reloading some 3 1/2" 7 1/2's. that will do a number on doves. __________________ I don't try to offend....some times i get lucky! There's always one thing that makes Republicans look good on election day...........Democrats!

August 30, 2006, 11:49 PM	#16
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	This season I'm using a L C Smith external hammer SxS that was made in 1913. I just restocked it and replaced some of the internal parts and it shoots like a dream. No wonder the old timers liked them so much.

August 31, 2006, 05:41 AM	#17
hossdaniels Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2006 Posts: 162	the citori's work out is starting saturday at noon.

August 31, 2006, 06:39 AM	#18
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	An ancient Charles Daly 20 SxS with light loads + #7 1/2. Good eating. Enjoy! __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

August 31, 2006, 08:26 AM	#19
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Any shotgun one can shoot well makes a decent dove gun. i'll use an 870. I've a couple that'll work. 7/8 oz reloads, choke from Skeet to Full, depending on how they're flying....

August 31, 2006, 09:00 AM	#20
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	FF, I screwed a full choke in that Gold 20 about 5 or 6 years ago, and can't remember where the wrench is. I haven't used anything but a full choke for hunting in a LONG time regardless of gun or game hunted.

August 31, 2006, 09:14 AM	#21
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Interesting, Hsmith, thanks.

August 31, 2006, 10:50 AM	#22
oletymer Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Posts: 338	Browning Cynergy, 30" barrels, modified and improved modified. It gets a lot of doves on the plate.

August 31, 2006, 12:14 PM	#23
springmom Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,823	If we get to go It'll be my new Beretta AL-391 Urika 20ga. Still looking around for an opportunity to go, though. If not, it'll be my duck-duck-goose gun this fall Springmom __________________ I will not be a victim home on the web: www.panagia-icons.net (my webpage) www.nousfromspring.blogspot.com (Orthodoxy) "I couldn't hear you. Stop firing the gun while you're talking!" Frank Drebin, The Naked Gun

August 31, 2006, 12:31 PM	#24
Quickdraw Limpsalot Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2004 Location: Rural Kentucky Posts: 478	My 28" barrelled, 10 year old el cheapo Maverick 88! Been bustin' critters with it for years. It's lightweight, reliable, and weatherproof... perfect field gun IMO. The low-dough price tag makes it even better. [edit] Although.. I may take my 835 this year too and give it a go. Couldn't hurt to have a backup on a 3-day hunt!

August 31, 2006, 02:19 PM	#25
Hedley Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,279	Here you go FirstFreedom...my first dove hunt some 20 years ago with the same 1100 sitting in my closet. I don't know, I might take my father's Citori out of retirement if I get a chance this year. __________________ It is imperative to strike down the rise of modernism which would lend itself to folly such as the use of billet components.