Choosing a Dove Gun

[SC Shooter]

After 50 plus years in the fields and woods, I will hunting dove for the first time this fall. I fear the shotguns I have, a 12 ga. Browning A5 and an Ithaca Featherlight 16ga are not the best choice of guns. As this adventure will require a new weapon, I look for suggestions. I am looking for a 20 ga, and possibly a double gun but am open to other ideas. Help me, help me, help me.

 

[Panzerschwein]

A nice 20 gauge. I'd go 20 for dove, or 28. Some like .410 for them, I like 20.

A nice side-buh-side would be great, but never understimate the effectiveness of a single shot shotgun. They are very nice for carrying around all afternoon. Lightweight, just put a rubber buttpad on if it bites too bad, which they can because they're so light.

Good luck!

 

[ATLDave]

12 is fine for dove. They're small, but they're also not usually all that close to you. It's not like quail hunting. They move fast and generally are some distance away. You can certainly hunt them with 16's and 20's (heck, .410 if you're really good), but it's not like you're going to demolish meat with a 12. And they're plenty challenging.

 

[Teachu2]

12 or 20, either will get the job done. I prefer a light auto, like a 1100 LT-20, but I know several guys who limit out with Mossberg 500s. Dove around here are very fast, so whatever you are quick with is best. YMMV.

 

[jmr40]

Either of the guns you own are just fine. The A5 would be about perfect.

A 20 ga double is a classic upland gun made to be light, fast pointing and easily carried for a handful of close range shots at quail, rabbit or other flushing game. Not a good choice for pass shooting at high flying dove. Dove, while smaller are hunted more like waterfowl. A heavier gun is no disadvantage since you are sitting and waiting for them. You rarely walk far and may shoot 100 or more shells in a day.

A heavy gas operated semi is probably the best dove gun although any pump or most doubles work just fine. But this is not the place for lightweight quick pointing guns.

Make mine a 12. A 20 will work, but you'll have to pass on some longer shots. You don't need heavy loads and typical 12ga dove loads don't recoil any more than 20's. They do give better patterns and ammo is cheaper.

 

[preachnhunt]

My dove gun is a 12 gauge A5 and is perfect for me. You may want to try the guns you have unless of course you just want a new gun,which is always good enough reason to get one.

 

[Hopkins]

Your A5 will work fine if it will cycle light loads and is choked correctly and you shoot it well. Light loads mean 1 1/8 oz at 1200 fps or so. An improved cylinder or skeet choke will be fine. Dove can be a challenging target and even accomplished skeet,trap and sporting clay gunners find them very sporty.

 

[Hopkins]

As an after thought, if you are going to invest in a double 20 gauge, I would suggest an over under and 28" barrels. The over unders with 28" barrels have a shorter sighting plane than your A5 with a 26" barrel so they will point faster for you but be long enough to settle for a shot.

 

[drcook]

What is wrong with your Ithaca ? (unless, of course, you just are shopping for an excuse to buy a new toy). I hunt 99% of the time with one of my 37 16ga guns.

What are the specs on yours ? Ie: barrel length, choke, age (age only because the closer you get to present day, the heavier they are, my 1948 only weighs a little of 6 lbs).

 

[oneounceload]

Exactly - nothing wrong with that Ithaca 16; you can find a variety of loads, some that mimic 20 and some that mimic 12 let alone that sweet spot inbetween

 

[hoghunting]

I fear the shotguns I have, a 12 ga. Browning A5 and an Ithaca Featherlight 16ga are not the best choice of guns.

Either one should work perfectly - depending on their chokes - if recoil is a problem, replace the recoil pad. But if you're looking on a new shotgun, the Weatherby SA-08 semi-auto works very well.

 

[Steve C]

I've always had my best luck using my 12 ga Winchester Model 12 field with 28" barrel and modified choke. Best hunting was at the edge of an orchard in the evening when they where coming in to cover for the night or next to a cotton mill where they where flying in for the seed from open fields during the day.

Dove are a challenge to shoot since they make sudden changes in their flight path without warning or apparent reason and they fly relatively fast.

 

[Virginian]

For about the last 30+ years I have shot dove with either a 20 or 28 SxS or semi auto, and I find the experience much more enjoyable with the smaller gauge. And I find a SxS a joy to shoot at just about anything. Have never been an O/U fan. You know you are longing for a new gun, so do it. Unless you reload, go 20 gauge. Shells are almost as easy to find as 12 gauge, and just as cheap.

 

[HexHead]

Aren't those huge shoots in Argentina dove shoots? The 20 ga. Benelli rules down there. That's what I would choose, a nice Montefeltro.

 

[jehu]

Hex head is right! I have shot thousands of Doves over the past 45yrs and yes I've been to Argentina where nothing but a Benelli or Berretta will hold up. Get yourself a Benelli M2 20ga and never look back. It's hard to shoot a triple with a SXS or OU and sometimes you will need that 3rd shot to kill the bird!

 

[rbernie]

Man, I'd take either of the guns you have (especially the Ithaca) in a heartbeat. The A5 can be a bit of a hunk to lug around all day if it's not the Light version, but I've done it and it's no less fun than any other option. The Ithaca sounds like the perfect choice.

But if you want another gun - just 'cuz - then let me add to the chorus of 'get a Benelli'. In my case, I'd recommend an M2 Field 20ga 24" barrel as just about perfect in weight-n-balance, and the M2 has stock adjustability (LOP, comb) that the Montefeltro does not.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I've killed doves with 12 gauge autos, 12 gauge over/unders, 20 gauge side by sides, 16 gauge side by sides, 28 gauge pumps, 12 gauge pumps, 20 gauge pumps, .22LR/20 gauge combo guns.

I've probably killed the most with a 12 gauge Mossberg 5500 Mk II. My current favorite is a 12 gauge Remington 1100. I like a modified choke too..because where I hunt, they often do not get in very close.

Dove hunting has been my dad's favorite for 50 years now. I think he prefers a 28 gauge pump or 16 gauge SxS now.

 

[MtnCreek]

Hunting at home or walking to jump a couple up I typically use a 28ga O/U and sometimes a 20ga auto. If I'm going to a 'dove shoot' I'll be toting a 12ga auto. Big fields and birds that have been shot at all day, the birds tend to get high. Some of the big fields down in peanut country are pretty interesting; birds will come in at full choke height and dive-bomb into the field.

 

[chas08]

My favorite is a 28 ga. SxS choked I/C and MOD. I too have an Ithaca Featherlight in 16 ga. choked MOD. It works very well as pump guns go.

 

[wleggart]

"lugging around all day"

I have enjoyed southern dove hunting for most of my 65 years. Before I could shoot, children were the dogs that retreived your Dads and Uncles doves. It was too hot for the hunting dogs in September!
First of all, there is no lugging around. You pick a spot that is in the flyway of the doves coming into feed, water or roosting spot. You lug a stool and cold drinks!
Most doves are pass shooting, not flush shooting. So, you can use your regular duck gun with IC choke.
Use the best shells you can afford. I use Winchester Western AA in skeet or pidgeon loads. You will need 2-3 shells per bird for a limit.
The best part is that the dove hunt is a social occassion with good food, shade tents and generators for the fans. Ladies in camoflauge (pretty sexy!) and some fine guns and dogs. Lots of kids are required! All that said, my favorite dove gun is an old Remington 870 plain barrel 28" modified choke. A dove is in great danger within 40 yards of that gun with some AA skeet #8s!

 

[Superposed]

Either of the shotguns you have will work fine depending upon how they are choked. Been hunting doves 45+ years. I generally use a Browning Sweet 16 with Invector chokes (using a light modified choke), an old Remington 870 with a fixed improved cylinder choke barrel or fixed modified choke barrel, an A-5 Light-12 with a fixed choke improved cylinder barrel or the my favorite a Beretta 686 Onyx 20 gauge with choke tubes. You don't need any choke tighter than modified. You will really be surprised how far an improved cylinder choked shotgun will kill a dove.

Also, if you are using a Mojo Dove decoy, then you will need a more open choke as the doves can come in fast and close.

Remember, you generally don't have to carry a dove gun very far if field hunting with a group. Weight is usually inconsequential.

 

[wleggart]

here is a picture of some of the grand babies on a dove hunt

 

[loose noose]

Personally here in southern Nevada, Northern Arizona, (I'm a dual resident) I prefer the .410 in the first part of the season, and a 20ga. SXS in the second half of the season, as they seem to become accustomed to being shot at, at closer range as the season proceeds. I mostly hunt in the alfalfa fields, and along the Colorado River. I have used a 12ga. as well as a 16ga. but I do prefer the .410 as most of the shots are under 25 yards during the 1st part of the season. (30 day season, sometimes a second season for 15 days). Like was already mentioned your 12ga. would be adequate providing you can locate some 7/8 oz. loads, most inexpensive loads I've found are 1 oz. which are ok, 16ga are a bit difficult to find and most are high base. Now if you reload, either are quite satisfactory. BTW season here starts September 1st every year, and believe me it does stay hot.

 

[oneounceload]

I remember those days in northern NV, except we seemed to always a cold snap on August 31st, because those dove moved on the day before opener! They must have been heading your way

 

[gamestalker]

I've been very active in dove hunt for many years, I prefer an 870 in either 12 or 20.

I've also done a good deal of O/U wing shooting, but I like that triple option of a pump.

I've also hunted dove with A5's, 1100's, 1187's and a couple other AL's. But it seemed like I missed more birds, I also used up a lot more ammo due to taking premature follow up shots.

I also had an opportunity to shoot an 870 in .410 (3" reloads) a few years ago, it was a ton of fun, I absolutely loved it. My buddy made a bet with me as to who would limit out first, that was an easy $20 in my pocket. But unless you have a good deal of experience wing shooting, a .410 probably wouldn't be the best choice. It can also be more expensive to shoot, especially if you don't reload.

Out here in SW Arizona limiting out can be accomplished in minutes by a seasoned dove hunter. But now with the Eurasians here in strong numbers, dove hunting can be enjoyed all year long, and there is no limit on them.

GS