Choosing a Dove Gun

[Fred Fuller]

Sorry, but you'll need a better excuse to go shopping for a new shotgun .

I have to admit a personal preference for a SXS double for doves, simply because having a choice of chokes instantly available was an advantage sometimes. I used a 12 ga. with double triggers and 26" barrels, swinging it was no problem as it was a clunky old 311 . It was choked IC and MOD.

Hitting them matters more than what shotgun you hit them with ... if you miss it doesn't matter what you shoot at doves with . Doves aren't necessarily easy to hit. If you get a chance to scout the area, try to determine the flight lines, and if you can, pick a place where the birds will be flying straight at you. If they're coming right down your throat it always seemed to me they were easier to hit - swing through from behind and when the muzzle blots out the bird, pull...

 

[SC Shooter]

Thanks One and All!! I appreciate all the good advice. I have but one comment. Those of you who are trying to talk me out of a new gun deserve to be publicly flogged. There will be a new gun in the safe soon, and it will be designated "The Dove Gun". I will definately reflect on the advice of those who are trying to help me spend the children's inheritance.

 

[MtnCreek]

If you need to start a new thread to show the wife, just let us know and we can all go there and tell you how your current choices in the safe are not suited to the task. I say nothing less than a Diamond Pigeon will do.

 

[Hopkins]

I have been shooting dove for more than 50 years and have used both of the guns you own to shoot them along with a couple dozen others. The 20 gauge I grab now is a 28" barreled Browning Citori with a standard pistol gripped stock. If I'm cranky and want to really give the retriever a work out I use my duck gun, a Remington 11-87 12 gauge with a improved modified Briley choke and some heavy 7 1/2 trap loads and practice long shots.

 

[oneounceload]

Thanks One and All!! I appreciate all the good advice. I have but one comment. Those of you who are trying to talk me out of a new gun deserve to be publicly flogged. There will be a new gun in the safe soon, and it will be designated "The Dove Gun". I will definately reflect on the advice of those who are trying to help me spend the children's inheritance.

Then go the custom route. A gun writer friend of mine had one built - a 28 gauge O/U on a 20 gauge frame for the purpose of going to Argentina where the shots number in the thousands over a few days. His Perazzi was ordered exactly as he wanted it - down to the radius of the grip, all of the stock measurements, the weight of the barrels, the entire weight of the gun, the balance points, the type of stock and forearm, he selected the wood and specified the fixed choke configuration. All of that customized work is included in the price, and the gun will sell for more than you paid for it in a few years.

I mean, if you're talking about spending the kids inheritance, then you might as well go big or stay at home!.....

 

[Frostbite]

If you need to start a new thread to show the wife, just let us know and we can all go there and tell you how your current choices in the safe are not suited to the task. I say nothing less than a Diamond Pigeon will do.

I like your taste.

 

[Sniper66]

Hey SC,

I've shot four different 20 gauge shotguns at doves with varying degrees of success, I'll list them in terms of successful shooting.
1. Remington 870 Wingmaster with vent rib
2. Benelli Legacy
3. Browning O/U Beautiful gun, but I did not shoot it well
4. Ugartechea SxS, great well balanced side buy side, but I couldn't shoot it at all.

The 870 and the Benelli both shot incredibly well and I always shoot single barrels better than doubles. Grew up shooting the 870 which is probably why I shoot it slightly better than the Benelli. Dove shooting is fast action and will challenge even the best wing shooters.. have fun!!

 

[heycods]

I have them all, gun choice is depending on how many dove ar at hunting spot, My prefrence is the 410 but that is only if plenty of dove where I can pick my shots, also it depends if the 12 ga hunters around you are crowding your shooting area. Im 65 and can still give you some loaded rounds back out of a box and have a limit with my 410 if conditions are right. 28 gauge for me for field hunting, if big guns are crowding me out comes the A5 12 ga.

 

[MtnCreek]

can still give you some loaded rounds back out of a box and have a limit with my 410 if conditions are right

That's impressive shooting.

 

[MCgunner]

A light 20 is best IMHO, but if you have a mod or IC choke on that Ithaca 16, it could work well. I'd get an auto, like an 1100 in 20 gauge, light and handy, if you're intent on using doves as an excuse.

My fave dove gun is my SxS Spartan in 20. Most here will tell you it's junk, but I beg to differ. I choke it IC/mod.

 

[Unlicensed Dremel]

Dedicated dove gun? To my way of thinking, Benelli Legacy 28 ga would be the ultimate. If you can afford the ammo.

 

[Hopkins]

I do love a 410 and 28 gauge on a skeet range and if your dove shooting opportunity is providing birds at those ranges either will suffice. If you are shooting at birds 40+ yards and out you will need a 12 gauge and modified choke. Of course you can use any gun and gauge you feel confident with taking targets with from the 27 on a trap range.

 

[MCgunner]

If all you ever get is 40+ yard shots, you don't need a 12, you need a dove mojo.

http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-HUT23

 

[farm23]

I love the idea of the necessity of a new gun. Most of my friends use a 12 ga auto loader but I use an old Ithaca 37 20 ga and it works for me.. Now I have to rethink the whole thing and get either a SxS or an O/U plus I have a new bird dog which really does scream NEW GUN.

 

[MtnCreek]

MCgunner, Those mojo doves are great! I also use mine for crow hunting (crows come to it too). A couple years ago I had a hawk swoop down at one. He aborted a few feet from it.

 

[gamestalker]

Dove hunting stories can often be much like fish stories, but that usually means that we're having lots of fun.

But what suits you, then buy the wife one so she can join you in the field, it's a win, win! I've found this is a good way to buy twice as many firearms, while avoiding getting flogged for doing so

GS

 

[SC Shooter]

I love the idea of the necessity of a new gun. Most of my friends use a 12 ga auto loader but I use an old Ithaca 37 20 ga and it works for me.. Now I have to rethink the whole thing and get either a SxS or an O/U plus I have a new bird dog which really does scream NEW GUN.

You can't show a new dog and old gun

 

[GLShooter]

When I retired in '07 I figured it ws time to treat myself to something I had wanted for years. I ended up with a CZ Ringneck in 28 gauge. It is like teh ultra-laght fly rod that makes even a crappie seem like a muskie. At the end of the day it is like you have carried nothing. The gun is proportinate to the 28 gauge hull so it is not a 12 or 20 gauge frame. I reload so the cost of shells isn't bad. I picked up a NIB MEC 650 for $25.00 so I was GTG.





With the screw in chokes it is extremely versatile.

Greg

 

[HOOfan_1]

I have off and on luck with mojos...sometimes they come in too low to shoot

 

[WestKentucky]

I have 2 dove getters. A model 11 and an 11-48 which has screwin chokes now. No reason an A5 should be frowned at. Ever.

 

[loose noose]

Hey One Ounce, know what ya mean about the cold front coming in a few days before the start of the season, here we usually have a rain storm which moves all the white wing further south. I believe the OP's only recourse when all is said and done is to get a new scattergun, hear that mama?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Those of you who are trying to talk me out of a new gun deserve to be publicly flogged.

I agree.
Stop gauge-blocking the man.

I agree a good side by side would be sweeeet.

 

[oneounceload]

GL - nice CZ - but it appears to be defective - IT ONLY HAS ONE TRIGGER!

BTW, beavertails belong on beavers, not SxS

 

[btg3]

If you don't get a fitted shotgun, then you should try others to see what shoulders and points well. Remingtons did it for my dad and me. A nice pair of semi-autos in 12ga and 20. The receivers are engraved with birds and dogs, so of course they are the right guns

 

[45crittergitter]

Some of you guys are missing the point. Taking up a new hunting type is a near-perfect excuse to buy a new gun or two.

My favorite bird gun is a Benelli Montefeltro 20 ga. which weighs only 5.5# and has no gas system. For a bit less recoil, go with a Beretta 20 ga. gas autoloader.