Hunting in Uvalde, TX: Dove and some quail

[Deer Hunter]

I have a question. I am really looking forward to traveling up to Uvalde at the end of the summer/start of the fall with my father for five days of dove/quail hunting and camping with the rest of my family. We'll be hauling his 12 gauge automatic shotgun (1100 I think), our 1930's 20 gauge auto, my Mosin Nagant, his SKS, and my Stoeger 12 gauge coach gun.

Now, this gun patterns better than you'd think. I can bust clays with it rather nicely. The dove shots, if he's telling me right, will not be above tree-top level. Trees out in Uvalde don't compare to the ones around here , so I think I should be just find.

I was thinking about grabbing some 3" magnum loads for the dove, but I started thinking, would the increased velocity really help me? Are 10 or so extra pellets going to do much good? Why not stick with some 2 3/4" loads for dove?

So, that's what I think I'm going to do. Anyone have any experience or words of wisdom they'd like to share?

 

[adobewalls]

I have hunted doves in South, West, Central and East Texas and find it hard to beat #7-1/2 shot 2-3/4" shotgun shells, using both 12's and 20's.

I usually get the standard or the "heavy" dove load (with an extra amount of shot.) I don't see a need for 3" magnum shells, but I also don't use the lighter loaded and higher velocity "express" loadings either.

What I have observed is that dove can take a hit from a few pellets of #8's and fly several hundred yards before dropping. Conversely, #6's will knock them right out of the sky - but if more than a few pellets hit them, they get pretty torn up. So for me, the best compromise is the #7-1/2 shot. I am not sure about the timing of the seasons, but if you are going for quail and dove, then you might carry #6's instead of #7-1/2.

 

[Deer Hunter]

I've got some 3" 6's that I could use. I'm thinking about buying another box for squirrel/rabbits, so I could take a few of them with me to see if I have better luck. However, I think the "heavy dove" loads of 7 1/2 shot would work ok.

What is the real difference between a light and heavy load of 7 1/2?

 

[sm]

I do not recall ever using 3" shell - except in .410 - to fell any game from quail to deer.
In fact I never owned a gun - other than .410 - that would accept a 3" shell until a few years ago, never fired one in it - and no longer have the gun.

Doves?
I use the same loading I would for skeet - 2 3/4" shell of 2 3/4 dr eq of # 8.5 hard shot in a 1 1/8 oz payload

Pattern board is going to reveal what your gun is going to do at what range.

I would then pattern the old "trap load" - again 2 3/4" shell 3 dr ew of # 7.5 hard shot, 1 1/8 oz payload.

Chamber the # 8.5 for first shot, then the follow up is # 7.5. Called "stacking".

Shoot the pattern board and you will see the pattern density of these. Now shoot say at 25 yds and out to 35 yds with each - pattern board will explain.

Heck we used to flatten chilled shot to use in Full choked barrels to throw darn near cyl bore patterns, then use skeet loads for follow up shots.

Other factors to consider:

If your gun patterns 1oz loads and runs these loads, consider using them instead. Lots of shooting means recoil, repeated recoil. If the gun don't fit well, gonna to start hurting and therefore start missing due to flinching.

3" shell are going to recoil more, with the shots normally fired - that recoil is going to punish you.

Often times them 3" shells "blow patterns" - got holes you could drive a truck thru. Sure it has more pellets...then again upon firing mass of payload works against itself, pellet deformation, and longer shot strings.

Some Turkey hunters have figured how bigger and more punishing "bang" means poorer patterns and missed turkeys. Called Marketing Hype.
Now these folks are listenting and going with 2 3/4" inch hard shot in # 5 , patterns better and less recoil. Course we knew this umpteem years ago - just the Marketing Boys do get to folks....



Art & Science...

 

[redneck2]

I've hunted doves quite a bit. 3"' mag for doves is like driving finishing nails with a sledge hammer. That follows the same reasoning of using a .300 WM on a white tail

I'd agree with sm. 1 1/8 of 7 1/2's is actually (maybe) slightly heavy but it's probably what I'd use. Maybe high speed "handicap" type clays loads. Winchester XX's throw real nice patterns in my O/U. A dove's just a slightly oversize song bird. Doesn't take the hammer of Thor.

IMO, if it'll bust a clay at 35-40 yards easily it'll kill a dove. YMMV

 

[Dave McCracken]

My dove load for the last 30 years or so has been a trap style load of 7 1/2s. Most often used was AAs.

Lots of dove fanatics use 20 gauges with 7/8 oz of shot.

Killing doves isn't hard, hitting them is.

I've also used 8s and 6s a few times. 6s are best when the ranges run into Full choke territory, 8s for watering doves at less than 30 yards.

 

[Deer Hunter]

This is all great information. Thanks.

As for recoil: The gun weighs 6.5 pounds, but I'm so used to shooting magnums through it that I don't notice 2 3/4" loads. I COULD use 3" loads, but I guess I'll stick with an average load. I'll buy some shot sometime and try patterning it to see what my gun likes best.

Thanks again.

 

[Smoke]

Dove season is Sept 1 - OCt. 30th
Quail season is Oct 29th - Feb 26th

So your chances of overlapping the sason falls to just 2 days.

Dove: 2 3/4" shells are plenty stout. Use some high velocity heavy load with 7.5 shot.

Quail: Use the same if they're Bobs, move to 6 shot if chasing Blues. Do NOT think you can outrun Blue Quail. Do NOT think they will hold and flush in front of your dog. Do NOT think you can shoot the one that just flushed right off your heel. (trust me on this one)

Uvalde is hot any time of year. Great bird county. Some crazy folk live there. Uvalde rejects live in Monahans. (do a search)

Good luck.

Smoke

 

[Smoke]

Another point......

The cost of Magnum loads in in itself is enough reason not to shoot them.
Dove can embarrass the best of shooters at times. Limit is 12. Expect to use more than one box if your first time out.

Happy shooting.

Smoke - Dove slayer

 

[Deer Hunter]

Thanks smoke, good information.

Alright, just dove hunting it seems. I got the impression we were going for quail from previous trips my dad took with my mom.

My gun is a Stoeger Coach Gun, 12 gauge with 20" barrels. From what I understand, the dove are not going to be that far from us, and I'm comfortable shooting the gun. It points well for me, which is why I'm taking it. My dad wants to get me another one for hunting. He wants some kind of automatic 12 gauge with a 28" barrel and modified or full choke (preferably full). I told him it's not needed, and that he was over-choking.

He's still adamant that my gun is nothing more than a "scattergun". He tried shooting at a buzzard flying 100-150 feet above our heads with single 0 buckshot 2 3/4" loads once, and since he didn't hit it on the first try, he thinks the gun wont pattern. I'm going to buy some shells soon and a friend of mine and I are going to go practise a bit with the clay-pidgeon slinger. I hope to become a better shot, and to also proove that this gun can in fact hit things. I've already patterned it with various loads, and it's performed nicely.

Plus, it only weighs around 6.5 pounds, as apposed to my dad's 9 pounder.