Whats your Favorite "Dove Gun"?

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(sidenote: for quail, the winchester model 12 in 16 ga. is tops)
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I've been blessed with the ownership of a 16 ga Model 12. Although I've never used it on Quail. Loss of habitat and fireants have all but eradicated them in my corner of the world. I have used it on Dove and Duck (with Bismuth & tungsten-matrix shot) I can see why my Grandfather made it his gauge of choice. Back when most folks only owned one shotgun,as he did.:)
 
Hands down, a 20 ga. Montefeltro. 5.5#, and I kill literally twice as many (or more) as I ever did with the 12 gauges. But I reserve the right to continue experimenting...
 
It's such a friendly, social, form of hunting, that even now at 52, I still look forward to it like I was 12
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It seems like that up here in Missouri too. Shooting from 3 until limits or your to tired to pick up your gun, go up to the farmhouse, pick the birds, and have cool beverage of your choice with a dozen friends :)
 
Rem. 1100 with 26" barrel. Favorite shell - 3 dram with 1 1/4 oz of 7 1/2 shot. Shoots very soft. BTW if you are not getting your limit with one box of shells then you are just "sky busting".
I get a good chuckle when I see folks shooting at doves 60 yds away.
 
Favorite dove gun: Remington 1100 Special Field in 20ga. I like the straight stock and the 23" barrel in the field.
 
Can't wait till 09-01-08. My fav is a 1100 Sporting 28 ga. Will use my 28 ga. SxS to get ready for quail season also. After going to the 28 ga. I will never shoot another gauge for dove and quail.
 
This is going to be my first bird season, FINALLY! Never hunted as a kid and when i got into firearms a few years been trying to go ever since but the problem is you have to have land, know somebody that has land or be stinkin rich.

My mother moved to uvalde and now i have a place. Ive only seen dove out there until last visit and saw a tasty little quail run across the road in front of my atv...mmm.

Ill be using a Rem. 1100. Buying a new barrel now, the current 30" full choke is too long and tight for me. I was advised to get a IC in 26". Is that a good small bird setup on an 1100?
 
Yes, Mr Mex. I've taken more birds with an IC or similar than any other choke.

Your new barrel may be able to take choke tubes. If so, put the IC in and take a Mod along for pass shooting if needed.
 
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Ive only seen dove out there until last visit and saw a tasty little quail run across the road in front of my atv...mmm.
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MrMex,
Since you are fairly new to bird hunting. Be aware that not all bird seasons open at once. Especially dove and quail in Texas. Familiarize yourself with the game laws and heed them. Texas game wardens seem to materialize out of thin air. :uhoh: As usual Mr McCrackens barrel and choke advice is right on target. The 1100 is a great gun also. Happy Hunting. :)
 
I have picked up 4 new shotguns in the last year. Check back after dove season.

Prior to this season, it has been a Wingmaster 20 ga. with fixed modified choke.

I have shot so much skeet and sporting clays with my A390, I will probably start with that one, and try the others as the season wears on, but honestly, I can't imagine that it won't be my favorite.
 
What a great response. And such diversity. And not a single "wrong answer". I've heard models mentioned I haven't thought about for years. I wish all of you a safe, sucessful season. Remember to "Pick up Your Hulls" and "Take a Kid Hunting" :)
 
Favorite dove gun
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the one I happen to be shooting at the time as long as i can hit em.:D. But really my mossi 500 12 with my 28" barrel and M choke. I still will never understand my dad he has a perfectly good 1100 but when we go dove hunting he takes his old beat up savage 311 12 SxS. He's alright with it neither one of us is exactly a record breaker I manage at least once every year to take two birds in one shot last year I got one double and then a triple:what:. My dad says he would never belive it if he hadn't been there to see it. My grandfather thought i was kiding him until I made my dad tell him.:D I don't know if its luck or the gun but I don't think its me. My dad can still out shoot me on doves I only get more a year because i go out more. I'll get him some year just got to keep shooting i'll get it in time.
 
The only shotgun I own.......Rem11-87 Premier 12ga Gotta remember to take the buckshot out and put the plug back in, before opening day. Oh yeah, change the choke too.
The last couple years the birds havent been around here. We got a good field goin this year, and Ive seen several birds, so I hope to have a good time.

BTW if you are not getting your limit with one box of shells then you are just "sky busting".
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I've got a buddy that has done that. He drove an hour+, out of state, to get to the field, and had his limit in 6minutes.
Whats the fun in that?? I can shoot from noon till dusk and can only kill 12, so I dont mind taking stupid shots that I know Ill never make. Occasionally I do make em(not the 60yd), surprising me.
Plus with only me and my dad (maybe couple more) in the field, some extra shooting is needed to keep the birds flying, otherwise it gets boring.
Dad will probly be shooting moms BPS 20ga this year. His old A5 Light twelve, tends to mess his shoulder up(for a week) after long term shooting.
Anyways, its all fun.
 
I've got a buddy that has done that. He drove an hour+, out of state, to get to the field, and had his limit in 6minutes.
Whats the fun in that??
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(LOL) Your words remind me of a work friend/hunting buddy's. He says he can get his limit with one box of shells, of course his box contains 250 shells. :D

I still will never understand my dad he has a perfectly good 1100 but when we go dove hunting he takes his old beat up savage 311 12 SxS.
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Well if he's anywhere close to my age.(chuckle) I bet it's got a lot to do with picking up hulls. :D
 
Interesting spectrum of responses. A couple things.

I note not much interest in the extremes here. No 10 gauges, no 410s, no Cylinder bores, no strangled turkey chokes.

My guess, the majority of shot used by the contributors here runs almost all 8s, 7.5s and a few using 6s for long shots. And about 50-50 between hard trap style loads and the budget "Dove" loads. I prefer the hard shot in the trap loads, but whatever works.

I do recommend EVERYBODY get out NOW and do some clays for practice. The benefits are obvious.
 
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