Anything from 7.5-9?

Modified or improved?

Thanks in advance.

Any standard load of 7-1/2 shot that your gun will cycle if shooting a semi-auto or pump. Any standard load of 7-1/2 shot in a SxS or O/U.

IC choke in semi-auto or pump. IC/Mod in doubles.

I go with #6 so I can reach out and get them. My o/u is a full over modified, so the bottom barrel barks first.

Fiocchi 12HV75. Midbrass, 1 1/4 oz, 7.5 shot, in an orange shell. I will never shoot anything else. I have started to kill more birds with less shots since making the switch.

B&P Subsonic. Don't kick so bad.

Whatever Academy has on sale. The loads don't make you miss.

Heavy Shot. Make each shot count as you throw $3 with every trigger pull.

Yep, whatever shells are cheapest by the case. This year monarch was $54 for a case so that's what I'm shooting.

I shoot a modified choke in my 870 wingmaster and for my over/under its a modified shooting first out of the bottom barrel followed by a full choke on the top barrel.

Whatever is cheap. I grabbed Rio for $55/case this year and judging by the other blue shells on the ground (thanks for being responsible "public") other people agree with me. Right now I'm shooting IC choke, but I'm sure I'll change to mod by the end of the season because I'll need a scapegoat.

My dad has been putting poly chokes on our shotguns my entire life. I love the versatility of being able to simply change between improved, modified, full, etc. as the conditions change... birds flying high? Switch to full, coming in fast and low? Move to improved. I usually keep it on slightly modified. The choke is more important than the shell, in my opinion...

I just use 9mm.

I I'm a firm believer in use what you're most comfortable with.

Plus the guns are a lot lighter...

I usually use a light mod choke, it's halfway between IC and Mod since I was always indecisive between the two. Remington Heavy Dove 7.5, it's usually only $1 more a box than the cheapest 1 oz. loads.

I posted this under the shooting advice thread the other day. Friend who hunted Olin Farms was given some advice. This is the Olin of what used to be Winchester Olin at one time. Guides there advised that day in and day out for dove and quail that 7.5 is THE shot. They have seen thousands of shooters and best knock down was observed with that shot. Got a bit more reach and knock down than smaller sizes.

I picked up Winchester Super X 7.5's from Academy for $54. Whichever was cheapest.

http://www.seasonshot.com/home.cfm

I use this. Prevents lead poisoning and flavors the mean.

quote:

---

http://www.seasonshot.com/home.cfm

I use this. Prevents lead poisoning and flavors the mean.

---

That is about the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. I hope you posted that in jest.

I agree, 1 1/4 oz. loads are the way to go. The shells may cost more but they sure make me a better shot. I prefer the Rio shells though.

The thing I have noticed the most, is that I have started to knock down birds that are farther away with the 1 1/4 oz. high velocity loads, where as before, I couldn't ever knock down the birds that were that far off. Now I just need a dog so I don't have to walk through those fields to retrieve the birds.

I hear you on that! I keep 6 shot handy for when the dove decide to fly extra high. I've nicknamed that load sniper shot. Surprises me how far out it will reach. Also knocks the snot out of the big white wing dove.

I like Win AA 7.5's, I shoot the lighter 7/8oz in my 20 for higher velocities, seems to work really well.

Improved Cylinder

I've been shooting skeet and IC. I'm switching to IC and Mod this weekend.

Whatevers on sale / modified

Rio Game Loads from Academy. $54 for a case.