Outdoor Forums: What is the best dove load?

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Topic: What is the best dove load?

Bassin 24-7
Active Member
Member # 9480

posted

Whats the best load for knockin them out of the air at a reasonable distance and killin em without having to go ring there necks?

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Kimberman
Active Member
Member # 9758

posted

Winchester 12 gauge AA super handicap 7.5s. It shoots a 1 1/8 ounce of hard(or magnum) shot at 1250 FPS. I think the biggest thing you can do to kill doves without ringing their necks is shoot magnum shot. Magnum shot is usually found in target loads because its harder and patterns better. I have had good luck with various 1 ounce target loads going around 1300 fps, but prefer 1 1/8 ounce. The cheap loads that you buy at wal-mart that shoots 7/8 ounce of shot at 1350 fps is a lousy dove load. Those loads use the cheapest components, which means soft shot, cheaper propellants and a cheap wad. Their patterns stink. Rem. and federal game loads do use a 1 piece wad wich is desirable over winchester's 3 piece paper base wad, but still dont compare to a good target load. Rem. nitro 27's are a good load as well. And I also think 7.5s are more effective than 8s. I used to use 8s for my dove hunting, but since i switched to 7.5, i havent bit into a piece of shot at the dinner table. I think that 7.5s will also give you 10-15 more yards of effective killing range. I know some guys like 6s but i think 6s should only be used for late season hunts when doves have more plumage.

Posts: 842 | From: Knoxville TN | IP: Logged

25-06 Fan
Active Member
Member # 7506

posted

They are just doves. I wish I could say that I still handloaded shotshells, but I don't. Do not save anything, and the "cheap" wally loads will darn sure bring down dinner.....

I like sevens and a half too.

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Panfisher
Active Member
Member # 2803

posted

Personally I don't care whether is says 7 1/2 or 8 on the bag of shot, both work about the same to me. I used to be a tried and true 1 1/8 oz. shooter but loaded some with 7/8 oz. of magnum shot, they were fast and killed like nothing I have ever shot before. As for the cheap wallys they will kill doves also when I am too lazy to load any.

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Posts: 1964 | From: Missouri | IP: Logged

Kimberman
Active Member
Member # 9758

posted

Another thing you can do to keep from wringing necks of wounded doves, and also kill more doves is to shoot some clays before the season starts. Skeet is a good place to start, it teaches you lead and follow through. Sporting clays will open your eyes to many different types of shots at many different ranges. I have shot sporting clays stations that had 60+ yard shots. That really separates the men from the boys.

Posts: 842 | From: Knoxville TN | IP: Logged

model70man
Active Member
Member # 5264

posted

It's wally world cheapos for me. I'm not a great shot but I can get a limit with about 3 boxes on a good day. I like the 7.5's 1 1/8 oz. shot. $14.88 for 4 boxes is a pretty good deal. Remington, Federal, or Winchester doesn't matter to me for shotgun shells. Rifle ammo is a whole new category for me though.

Posts: 1580 | From: tennessee | IP: Logged

25-06 Fan
Active Member
Member # 7506

posted

Yeah, I don't really care who makes the dove/field loads. When it comes to steel I am particular.

As far as ringing necks, alot of guys make a habit of pulling the head when the dog hands it to you. It is easier to clean them with the head off anyway. If the blood bothers you, a different pastime may be in order. Knitting, for instance. [Razz]

Posts: 1301 | From: Oklahoma | IP: Logged

Birdhunter1
Active Member
Member # 7308

posted

I shoot 7 1/2's at everything, unless I need to bump up to #6's for wild pheasants.
I usually shoot either Nobel Sports or late last year I picked up some Estate shells and they are shooting fine so far.
I do carry some #7 1/2 loads in 1 oz but most of them are 7/8 oz. loads. Of course you might be talking about a 12 gauage whereas I am shooting a 20 gauge, hence the 7/8 and 1 oz. loads.

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Posts: 578 | From: The Real Southern Part of Illinois | IP: Logged

Kimberman
Active Member
Member # 9758

posted

Birdhunter: I am with you on the Estate shells. They shoot great. My dad and some shooting buddies all go in a couple of flats of Estates for clays. End price delivered and everything is about 3 bucks a box....who needs to reload for that price.

Posts: 842 | From: Knoxville TN | IP: Logged

kn4lq
Active Member
Member # 7960

posted

I like the Winchester 12 Ga Trap or AA loads, If I want to go cheep the Winchester field loads in 7 1/2s .

When I hand load I use 1¼ oz of 7 1/2s 0f hard chilled shot with WW wads in AA hulls.

Like a lot of other dove hunters, I shoot a lot of shells compared to the doves I take home, and to me the Estate loads are a little on the warm side for dove hunting. After shooting a couple of boxes they tend to leave my arm stiff the next day, but that is what happens when you shoot hurriedly from a sitting position on the old 5 gallon bucket or from touching one off while you are making a fast swing on an incoming bird.. [Razz]

Posts: 515 | From: Havelock, NC | IP: Logged

Kimberman
Active Member
Member # 9758

posted

Try their 1 ounce target load, its quite tame.

Posts: 842 | From: Knoxville TN | IP: Logged

Birdhunter1
Active Member
Member # 7308

posted

I guess I am blessed or something, I never have had to complain about my shootign ability or needing more than a box of shells to shoot a limit of 15 doves. Usually I shoot about 90-100%.

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****SORRY GALS, Done found the love of my life****
But I do have friends!

Posts: 578 | From: The Real Southern Part of Illinois | IP: Logged

kn4lq
Active Member
Member # 7960

posted

Now I can shoot anything running o n the ground verry well with a shot gun, but put that blue background behind it and I guess my preseption changes and so does my lead.
[Big Grin]

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If you can dream it, you can acheive it!

Posts: 515 | From: Havelock, NC | IP: Logged

Bassin 24-7
Active Member
Member # 9480

posted

Thanks for the info fellas. I went with a case of remington 7.5s 1oz loads. Went skeet shooting yesterday and it looks like Im gonna need all 250 rounds to get my limit [Smile]

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kn4lq
Active Member
Member # 7960

posted

Kev3359:

I hope the Remington shells were in the green hulls and not the black ones, I have found the Black hulled Rem loads to not hold a steady pattern, in my guns, with lots of holes in them at 30 yards and beyond where a buzz bomb dove can slip through unscratched! [Big Grin]

I do not even use them for rabbits any more...

May just be my guns, but I will use the Winchester or federals before Remington shells because of my bad experience with their inconsistent patterns.

Oh and Thanks Kimberman for the suggestion on the Estates reduced loads! [Smile]

I bought two boxes to try and they shoot great in my guns and are very pleasant to shoot. [Wink]

Before I had rotor cuff and clavical surgery I use to be able to handle shooting several 3 inch Mags while shooting crows with no problems and gaff off the slight bruising, but after the surgery my shoulder gets very sensitive after 4 or 5 heavy loads. Guess the scar tissue from the surgery can not take the abuse!.

It doesn’t bother me with my rifles, only the 12 Gauge. [Confused]

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If you can dream it, you can acheive it!

Posts: 515 | From: Havelock, NC | IP: Logged

Kimberman
Active Member
Member # 9758

posted

Thats probably because you shoot the 12 gauge more in a day than you do your rifle. I too have had problems with Rem. field loads. I do think they make a great target load however.

Posts: 842 | From: Knoxville TN | IP: Logged

Bassin 24-7
Active Member
Member # 9480

posted

Well Its to late now I done sunk $32 in these remingtons. And yes they are the black hull [Frown]

oh well I guess Ill have an excuse for shooting 200 rounds and not getting my limit. I shoulda read all the replies to my post before buying those shells too, you guys sound like you know what your talking about. Thanks for all the info.

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kn4lq
Active Member
Member # 7960

posted

don’t despair, they may work well in your gun, but you will have to try them to see..

take an old bed sheet and spray paint an dot in the center, then measure off about 35-40 yards and shoot the at the dot. After the first shot check your holes and you can see where the shot went, then go back to the same spot and shoot 4 or five shots at the same dot.

What you will be looking for this time is where the majority of the shot has grouped and if there are any light spots in the patterns.

If they seem fairly evenly dispersed you should not have any real problems, but if they are grouped to one side or the other, then you will have to change your lead to correct for the pattern being off. The sheet will give you a savable record of your gun and load’s performance at that range. You could try using the standard 40 yard range and the 30 inch circle and put the dot in the center of the circle.

That is the standard way to test patterns. Any ways I know you will have a lot of fun on opening day, hit or miss… it is the thrill of being in the outdoors that makes the hunt anyways……

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If you can dream it, you can acheive it!

Posts: 515 | From: Havelock, NC | IP: Logged

JBinKC
Junior Member
Member # 10058

posted

It depends upon how you hunt them.

If you walk them like pheasants in a sunflower field any high speed load with 1 oz or greater shot of 7 1/2s will do. The shots are usually close and the high speed load helps your reaction time some.

For pass shots I like the Super Handicap Sporting Clay loads with 7 1/2 shot at 1300 FPS by far. Definitely worth the extra money.

Posts: 1 | From: KC,MO | IP: Logged

daddywpb
Active Member
Member # 2145

posted

I agree about the black Remington cheapos. I can't hit a thing with them. I have found that the Winchester or Remington target loads pattern 100% better. $3 a box sounds great, but put them on a pattern board and you'll probably see that , as with most things, you gets what you pays for. I have settled on Remington Premier Nitro Sporting Clays. They are the ones with the gold colored hulls. 1 1/8 ounce of #8's. They pattern very consistantly, at least in my gun, and are $5 at Walmart. I think the secret is the hardened shot. As a bonus, they shoot clean!

Posts: 331 | From: Florida | IP: Logged

ke4yyd
Junior Member
Member # 8834

posted

I have been shooting doves for about 55 years now and average about 3 birds for 5 shells. I have found that 1-1/8 oz of #9 shot in a 12 ga. to be my best load. I use an improved cylinder choke. Some times I go to 1-1/4oz #9 later in the season. When I shoot my 20 ga I use 1 0z of #9. I load my own shells so I cannot suggest a brand.

I bought some Winchester Super Speed at Walmarts the other day and I patterned them today. I wasn't sure about the wads but I did find a one piece plastic wad imbedded in my pattern board so that answers that question. BTW, these were 7/8 oz 20 ga loads with #8 shot. They patterned well. At $3.27 a box it isn't worth the trouble of reloading.

Posts: 3 | From: Florida | IP: Logged