"All-purpose" 12GA load?

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1-1/4oz is not a heavy load, unless you put it in a 20ga.

#5 is probably getting a little bit large for dove, though. With shot that big, there will be some bird-sized holes in your pattern at the end of your range.
 
I'm hardly a shotgun expert but I just cannot fathom what sort of load would reliably take out a coyote at 40 to 50 yards yet whould not just leave a red splotch if shot at a rabit at half that distance. Especially since it's a 12 ga you're talking about. At least not unless you purposely aim a little off so just a few pellets from the edge of the shot pattern takes out the rabbit. You'd need to know your patterning with that ammo to do such a thing reliably though.

There's a fair number of folks in this thread that seem to be saying that this just isn't realistic. And I'm inclined to agree based on the shotgun shooting that I've done.

A nicer option would appear to be something like the Savage Model 24 combo with a .22 barrel over some manner of shotgun or rifle barrel for longer range and bigger game. Often this means a .22 and .410 combo. But if you set up the .410 with a rifled slug round it should retain pretty good accuracy out to the 50 yards that you're after.

Anyhow, it'll be interesting to see if you find a 12ga load that'll suit you.
 
All around only works nicely with rifles. If one is expert enough to stand recoil shoot well and rifle is accurate enough everything from ground hog to elephant could be taken with .416 Remington. Well even here one would use 400 grain monolithic for tusker and 350grain lead core load for woodchuck.
 
my general small game load in 12 gauge is 1-1/4oz #6 to shoot varmints I'd go with 1-1/4oz #4 but your long range expectations are iffy, I'd be comfortable with this load out to 40 yards for humane shots.
 
I just cannot fathom what sort of load would reliably take out a coyote at 40 to 50 yards yet whould not just leave a red splotch if shot at a rabit at half that distance.
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With shot as large as BB, which is what I am thinking of trying, I don't see how it could pattern so densely so as to obliterate small game, except at extremely close range. I usually use #6 for rabbits, with an open choke. #4 through the same choke could barely keep any pellets on a rabbit beyond 20 yards. BB would only need a couple of pellets to kill small game, and through a full or modified choke, I think it could keep a few more on a larger target at at least 40 yards, but I'll definitely have to test my idea first.

All around only works nicely with rifles.
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Yes, but when I have a shotgun, I do not have a rifle.
 
What you need is a double trigger SxS choked IC/M. Put a #6 in the IC tube with buckshot in the M and you'd be ready for pretty much anything.
 
I can't make up my mind about double barrels. Alot of people think that any double barrel less than $3000 is a piece of junk. They can never explain why, but that's what keeps cropping up whenever I research them.
 
I can't make up my mind about double barrels. Alot of people think that any double barrel less than $3000 is a piece of junk. They can never explain why, but that's what keeps cropping up whenever I research them.
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Then you haven't researched at all - it has been hashed about on this forum over a dozen times, as well as on TFL and Shotgunworld

It comes down to labor costs - they are the most labor-intensive gun to get done right and with quality. Perfect balance, perfectly struck barrels, quality steel and wood, perfect barrel regulation, quality fit and finish, triggers that don't feel like a crankcase full of sand, dimensions that do not mirror some tactical pump, but actually FIT the user, and handling - that like an extension of one's arms, not like holding a 4x4 or sewer pipe
 
Shotguns are "all purpose" weapons that use a variety of loads to complete their tasks.

There's no one load that will do it all or even much. Heck, just in 12 gauge I use....

Slugs, buck in 00, 1 and 4,Non Toxics for waterfowl in 2s and 4s, field loads in 6s and 7 1/2s, target loads in 7 1/2s,8s and 8 1/2s,etc....
 
Heavy field load of 4s from a modified barrel worked for me for years. It works pretty good on dogs and cats (both domestic an the wild varieties) out to 30 yards well centered.A little heavy for quail sure, but works well on roosters and turkeys and rabbits.
 
:banghead:Here's one for ya.
Instead of posting & complaining or questioning someones suggestion, why not go buy a box of the suggested ammo and try it out for yourself,,,

1 1/4 #5s isn't my first pick for dove but out of an improved cylinder choke tube and used for pass shooting it works without saturating the bird with a cloud of tooth cracking small shot and the O.P did ask for ONE do all load.
The #5s work for everything, try the load!
 
Yeah, what others said. I got about two lines into the OP and thought, .22LR or lightly loaded .22 caliber centerfire. A 40gr V-Max ought to do.
 
A good "All-purpose" load?
http://www.firequest.com/G12-023.html
It's...really expensive but it fits the bill.

Might as well load your own like I did with some #6 birdshot, copper plated bb's from walmart and .45 lead balls from my black powder revolver.

Careful with the steet bb's, if your barrel isn't rated for steel shot don't use them. It'll scratch the heck out of the bore.
 
Instead of posting & complaining or questioning someones suggestion, why not go buy a box of the suggested ammo and try it out for yourself,,,

1 1/4 #5s isn't my first pick for dove but out of an improved cylinder choke tube and used for pass shooting it works without saturating the bird with a cloud of tooth cracking small shot and the O.P did ask for ONE do all load.
The #5s work for everything, try the load!
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Really? are you serious?

3/4 to 7/8 oz @ 1200 fps will kill any dove within ethical range, so 1-1/4 oz of 5 does NOT fit the bill; that load however, does work for pheasants in the Dakotas; it also does NOT work for waterfowl........so just how does this become a one load for all?
It doesn't, it isn't even close, so when the OP comes asking about it, he gets a variety of opinions, but all agree it is NOT a one load for all
 
maybe try this: get a buttstock ammo holder (spandex, holds 5-6 shells) throw 2 #6's in for squirrels, rabbits, and the like. 2 BB's in for heavier game like coyote, and a slug in for things that bite back like bears n 2 leggers.
personally, I normally carry 2 #4lead's and 3 #4buck's in addition to whatever is in the mag. although I will change it up based on seasons/legallity.
it appears you were trying to avoid buying multiple boxes of shells but this tends to cover a broader spectrum of situations.
if I were to be limited to only one type of shell, without a doubt, gotta go with #4buck. sqeeze off 2 or 3 and everything you point it at will be dead or dying.
just my 2cents.
 
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