First Dove Hunt

[Hunter125]

I went on my first dove hunt today and am hooked. I only took one box of 25 shells and ended up borrowing two boxes plus a few shells. I am not very practiced yet.
I just used my 870, which was fine, but I have been looking at O/U shotguns for some time and have been wanting to get into trap/skeet/sporting clays for a while now too. Today just made the itch for an O/U even worse.
My price range is pretty much on the low end. I have been looking at the Stoeger Condors, which run about $350 or less at the LGS, and the Mossberg Silver Reserve, which is between $500-600. I like them both, but the Mossberg is a little nicer. Would you guys suggest either of these, or is there a better option for a first O/U?

 

[Virginian]

Wait until you can get your limit with one box before changing guns. Spend the money on shells and practice. It's the Indian, not the arrow. Besides which, after your skills are improved you will be in much better position to buy a two barreled gun. And you will realize that the fit to you should be more important than the name. I also think you would be very well served to wait until you can affords a good gun like a used Beretta or Browning. No one who knows anything is going to be impressed by a cheap O/U, and you will not shoot one bit better. If you start shooting a lot of clay pigeons, the cheaper guns will not hold up.

 

[cbm1948]

The Virginian offered a lot of sound advise, I started shooting at doves 40 years ago with a 870, 20Ga. I do use a Baretta now because I need a softer shooting gun due to shoulder surgery. Remember what ever lead you think you need increase it, if you are going to miss, do so by shooting in front of the bird.

Clint

 

[Dave McCracken]

I've taken lots of doves wiith various 870s. Like Virginian said, use the 870 now and build up your form and techniques.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Doves sure do seem to sell a lot of shotguns...

lpl

 

[Hunter125]

Thanks for the advice, I will be using the 870 for some time before I buy a new shotgun. I guess my intent and my desire to buy an O/U was to fine tune the 870 for a slug gun and change barrels as little as possible and have another shotgun for things like doves, clays, etc. I also intend to someday buy a shotgun that I will dedicate to HD purposes. I guess I would still be curious as to what your suggestions are for a first O/U, even if you don't suggest I buy one just yet.

 

[Dave McCracken]

First O/U, Beretta or Browning. Get the one that fits/feels best.

 

[oneounceload]

but the Mossberg is a little nicer. Would you guys suggest either of these, or is there a better option for a first O/U?

Neither - good advice above about shooting what you have while you save up more money for a better gun. Add the SKB to the Beretta and Browning as a good target grade O/U

 

[Virginian]

And if you hit the lottery, add a custom fitted Kreighoff, or Perazzi, or Beretta SO series to the possibles list. Heaven forbid you should get one and find that you just don't like O/Us. Then you can get a really good gun like a SxS.

 

[oneounceload]

And if you hit the lottery, add a custom fitted Kreighoff, or Perazzi, or Beretta SO series to the possibles list. Heaven forbid you should get one and find that you just don't like O/Us. Then you can get a really good gun like a SxS.

Of course, Perazzi is now making a SxS.............otherwise, AyA and Arrizabalaga is always a good one.................

 

[ISO1600]

I'm in a similar boat- Did my first dove hunting this last weekend, and MAN i had a good time. First morning i started a little late, and only got one bird. That afternoon i got 7.
This is with a 12ga 870 with a barrel cut @ 18.5" (disc grinder job).
I am awaiting reply from Mike Orlen on getting work done to my barrel to accept chokes.

 

[MCgunner]

My fave dove gun for tanks and fast shooting is my Remington Spartan 20 gauge coach gun. However, on long passers, I still prefer a heavier gun. I shoot a Winchester 1400 when they're flying high, 12 gauge, mod choke. The light little 20 will take 'em way out there, though, and I'm far from unarmed and I can get that Winchester shouldered pretty quick if not AS quick as my Spartan.

Put me down for stickin' with the 870 until you get better with it. Me, I'm thinkin' I might want a Browning Cynergy in 28 gauge in the future, a little easier on my old shoulder than this weekend when I put 5 boxes of 7/8 ounce and 1 ounce loads through that light little 20. I got three limits, 3 days, and limited in 2 hours the first day. Yeah, it was good. I don't know, though, I do like 20 gauge.

 

[MCgunner]

This is with a 12ga 870 with a barrel cut @ 18.5" (disc grinder job).
I am awaiting reply from Mike Orlen on getting work done to my barrel to accept chokes.

Why not just get another barrel? Chances are, it'd be cheaper. You should stick with a longer barrel until you get the hang of things. Light, short barrel guns require more follow through and concentration on smooth swing.

 

[GCBurner]

Doves sure do seem to sell a lot of shotguns...

lpl

Doves sell a lot of shotgun SHELLS, anyway. By the time most of us get our limit, the price per ounce for a cleaned and dressed bird is usually substantial.

 

[451 Detonics]

I recently bought a Stoeger Uplander Supreme combo in 20/28. It is s lick handling SXS and has done very well on the skeet field helping me keep up a 23 average. I think it would make for a cracker-jack dove gun but haven't gotten into the fields yet. Personally I prefer a SXS for upland birds, they swing better for me than an O/U. This Stoger will join my Winchester 24 in 16 and Parker VH in 12 for bird duty this fall...

 

[MCgunner]

Nice lookin' English straight stock there 451.

 

[Milkmaster]

Doves sell a lot of shotgun SHELLS, anyway. By the time most of us get our limit, the price per ounce for a cleaned and dressed bird is usually substantial.

That is cetainly true. But it is still a lot cheaper than some popular choices of recreation. In this case the recreation is included in the price

 

[ISO1600]

Why not just get another barrel? Chances are, it'd be cheaper. You should stick with a longer barrel until you get the hang of things. Light, short barrel guns require more follow through and concentration on smooth swing.

I could get a barrel used for like $100, but the threading work should be less than $50.