Dove hunting
They open up Dove hunting in Iowa this for the frist time. We have to use nontoxic shot, so the question is what shot to use. Don't want to use hevi shot to costly so it would have to be steel. I taught six would be good so if you have any ideas let me know thanks for your time.
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Winchester makes steel in size 7. Works great. Have a great hunt. Doves are FUN. 0 -
6 7 or 8 should do... 0 -
Ahhh you must be hunting a state site? I will be hunting private ground when Iowa opens but I pretty much alwasys shoot steel shot anyways..
Here's what I have found...
Extended chokes are your friend, 7's are okay and have the energy of a 8-8.5 lead. If you aren't the best shooter stepping down to 6's is a fine idea.
Patterning and steel shot is critical! Many loads because of steel being so hard don't pattern for squat. And the ones that do pattern shoot about a step tighter than what the choke actually is labeled for.
Many recommend an open choke like IC or Skeet modified if need be.
I have had better luck with Remington Sportsmans than the winchester expert line.
Pattern both 6's and 7's in your gun with differnt chokes. Which ever goes best stick with it. If you are crippling a lot of birds step to a bigger size.0 -
When we are required to use steel on Lake Shelbville most friends and myself use #6 steel for dove. Improved modified choke. 0 -
I've had the best luck with steel 7s and IC choke. 0 -
...First time, wow...always had Dove season here, its an annual good time event...and the more hunters the merrier, keeps the birds flying.
One of the hardest game birds to hit according to stats...1 bird per 5 shots, fast and they dart and loop a lot, great fun.
To most, they're hard to hit, but they die easy when you hit 'em, you dont need big shot or heavy guage to blast 'em...any gauge is powerful enough.
12g is overkill, the power is not needed except to gain distance for longer shots.
20g or 16g is plenty, just vary your chokes according to how their flying each day.
#7 1/2 is the most common here, forever.
#8 is getting on the small side...
Have fun!...[;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by COLT
...First time, wow...always had Dove season here, its an annual good time event...and the more hunters the merrier, keeps the birds flying.
One of the hardest game birds to hit according to stats...1 bird per 5 shots, fast and they dart and loop a lot, great fun.
To most, they're hard to hit, but they die easy when you hit 'em, you dont need big shot or heavy guage to blast 'em...any gauge is powerful enough.
12g is overkill, the power is not needed except to gain distance for longer shots.
20g or 16g is plenty, just vary your chokes according to how their flying each day.
#7 1/2 is the most common here, forever.
#8 is getting on the small side...
Have fun!...[;)]
Colt,
In my case it's not the extra power the 12ga provides, it's the extra shot.[;)] I use #7 1/2, 1 1/8oz lead except the few times I've hunted on Federal lands around the lake on US Army Corps property.
I see a few 20ga hunters in my area. I frequently see one guy with a beautiful 28ga O/U.
I've never had the luxery of using anything less than 12g because I suck at doves.[:D] Im about a 1 in 5 shooter myself.
I have shot, and seen shot, doves that shed plenty feathers and just keep flying.[B)]
I've went through the headache of loading a few hundred rounds of 12ga AA 2 3/4" shells in #7 1/2, 1 1/4oz to test out on some wiley birds this Sept. Maybe that will up my bird count.[8D]
I just bought a Beretta Urika Gold Sport on GB a few weeks ago. So far I'm breaking clays really good. I hope I can shoot it well this season.0 -
I use my Trap loads on doves and have never had a problem. I shoot Remington STS or Nitro 27 hulls, 18.5 grains of promo, a Rem TGT12 wad,and 1 1/8 oz of #8 shot. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by sincitynut
I use my Trap loads on doves and have never had a problem. I shoot Remington STS or Nitro 27 hulls, 18.5 grains of promo, a Rem TGT12 wad,and 1 1/8 oz of #8 shot.
Thats was I was using before, just testing the 1 1/4oz this year.
My target load.
AA hulls(Gun Club too)
17gr Red Dot
Western WT12 wad
1 1/8oz of #7 1/20
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