I haven't bought dove loads in about 4 years. My late FIL gave me all of his random bird shells that long ago, and I finally burned through them all last year. Usually I buy whatever brand of 12ga 7.5 1 1/8oz. Been pondering about what my next case is going to be. Considering even going to a cheaper 1oz because I'm not convinced it really even matters all that much if you put it in the right spot.

So…what do you shoot? What's your gauge, brand, shot size, load, and choke for dove?

Whatever is cheapest!

Monarch 7.5.

Been shooting a browning bps in 12g for over 30 years, shoot whatever is cheapest between rem, win and fed. Used to shoot the cheaper stuff academy sold like rio or monarch, but they dirty up the barrel big time.

Green and urange box Remingtons. I feel the extra $1 a box is worth it. They actually still have a quality wad and are usually going to pattern better out of most guns.

Always thought Remington heavy dove loads were the best bang for the buck. 7 1/2 or 8 shot 20 gauge and improved cylinder or modified for mourning doves. Will go to 12 gauge modified for high flying white wings. I keep a couple cases of 6 shot for the occasional white wing hunts with groups of high flyers.

I bought many cases of these from Cabela's over the years until they quit selling them in 2018 or so. I'm down to my last 2-3 cases. The last ones I bought cost right at $56 delivered to my door. I wish I would've bought a hell of a lot more of them. Not sure what I'll switch to when these run out.

3.5" 1-5/8 T-Shot.

We don't take kindly to free grazers around here.

Made in Marshall Texas (or at least they were).

28 ga, 2 3/4 inch, 7/8 oz loads.

Wocka Wocka said:

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3.5" 1-5/8 T-Shot.

We don't take kindly to free grazers around here.

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Better for tenderizing for sure, but for a real culinary experience step it up to 00 buck.

1. Remington shurshot heavy dove
2. Rio
3. Anything that goes boom

Remington heavy dove in 7.5 or Winchester super x in 7.5. All in 12ga

A slingshot, ya bunch of cheaters.

Academy sells Rio.

I usually shoot Win AA Super Sport ga 1&1/8 Oz loads at 1300fps. Also carry a case of rem orange and green box 6s under the seat for all of Dove season and a box in my bucket for WW high flyers.

Based on my hit rates apparently blanks

Seriously; buy whatever is cheapest. There is zero difference in dove loads or target loads. If you feel better with a heavier load then do so but I've not found it to be necessary. While I revel in the chance to blame the lighter loads on misses, it's all mental…I'm either on target or I'm not. I recently bought Estate Super Sport and Federal Top Gun ammo for a clays tournament. It was cheaper than academy and I quite liked it's performance. When academy outs their stuff on sale for the season, I'll get whatever they have. Monarch, Estate, Rem….Monarch does seem a little dirtier but I could be imagining that.

As posted above, I like the 7 shot, 1 1/8 oz.

However, I will move up to 1 1/4 oz shot in late season when birds are flying high, or for white wing when the birds are flying over at higher speed/altitude and not landing on my lease.

CrossTimbersW said:

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I bought many cases of these from Cabela's over the years until they quit selling them in 2018 or so. I'm down to my last 2-3 cases. The last ones I bought cost right at $56 delivered to my door. I wish I would've bought a hell of a lot more of them. Not sure what I'll switch to when these run out.

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Rio still has plenty of ammo still on the market. They moved their headquarters to Marshall,TX several years ago. Unfortunately the prices have gone up just like everything else. Johnny's in Eagle Lake has pallets of Rio ammo.

1/2 ounce, #8, 1350 fps, .410 with 30" barrels. Been working like a charm for many years. Use it for everything. Dove, quail, chukar, grouse, pheasant.

Using a .410 with 8s on Chukar and Pheasant?

Last time I went I couldn't find 6s so was forced to use heavy dove loads, 20 ga. with 7 1/2s. It would take 2 shots to knock them down unless you got a head shot, which was near impossible when they flush away from you.

about a quarter box a bird.

Jason_InfinityRoofer said:

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Seriously; buy whatever is cheapest. There is zero difference in dove loads or target loads. If you feel better with a heavier load then do so but I've not found it to be necessary. While I revel in the chance to blame the lighter loads on misses, it's all mental…I'm either on target or I'm not. I recently bought Estate Super Sport and Federal Top Gun ammo for a clays tournament. It was cheaper than academy and I quite liked it's performance. When academy outs their stuff on sale for the season, I'll get whatever they have. Monarch, Estate, Rem….Monarch does seem a little dirtier but I could be imagining that.

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I have noticed the cheaper stuff won't cycle in some auto-loaders and also it will leave your gun and action dirtier. But I know some roofers, and they like the dirty action, so there's that...

Furlock Bones said:

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about a quarter box a bird.

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Hey Furlock…. wanna go hunting? u and me and a couple cases of shells, we might get a limit!!!! lol.

I just Grin'em down

Furlock Bones said:

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about a quarter box a bird.

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I'm a steady 2 box a limit myself...

Part of me thinks I need to jump up to 10ga…. Doubt it would help, though.

Always keep a box or 2 of high brass handy for those days when the white wings are coming over with their oxygen tanks on.

Picked up four boxes of Federal 12 ga. at Walmart for $36.

20 ga Remington Express, 7-1/2 (years ago)

Whatever can give me a headache before I hit a brid.

STX Ag said:

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Always keep a box or 2 of high brass handy for those days when the white wings are coming over with their oxygen tanks on.

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High brass was a thing when shotgun cartridges were loaded with black powder and made of paper.

These days, the high brass label is primarily a marketing ploy as the difference between high and low is negligible in most hunting and clay applications.

Bradley.Kohr.II said:

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Part of me thinks I need to jump up to 10ga…. Doubt it would help, though.

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Your shoulder would hate you.

Lance in Round Mountain said:

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Picked up four boxes of Federal 12 ga. at Walmart for $36.

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Is this all Wallyworlds?

Yes, or at least most. It's a box that has four traditional boxes in it. A 4 pack.