Speaking of Dove hunting ...

[auschip]

Academy is selling the Remington Heavy Dove load promos for $2.38 a box. These are low brass (well low metal .. not brass) in 7.5 or 8 in 12g, and 6, 7.5, or 8 in 20g.

With tax I think it came out to $25.60 per case.

 

[45crittergitter]

$3.29 @ Academy here.

 

[kudu]

The thing about Promo dove loads is that they are put together with the cheapest components available. Many times their is no wad but a plastic sheet that buffers the shot against the barrel and the shot itself is the softest lead available, not hard, and will throw horrible patterns. Spend a bit more on some target loads and you may bust a few more doves that you might miss with promo loads.

 

[auschip]

Good to know, I will dissect one tonight and report back. The shells I mean.

 

[MacPelto]

The Academy near me had a 2 case limit, so I bought 2, but I'm pretty sure that they were Winny, not Remington. As for promo loads being lower quality, I'm sure it's true, but I miss regardless of quality of shell, so I stick with the cheapies!

mac

 

[Camjr]

The only shells I avoid are the cheap Federal field and range shells that show up in the stores before dove season that go for $28.99 per case. They tend to be dirty and the wad stinks. Soft lead, too.

The Remington Heavy Dove loads are pretty good. I've even used them in 6 shot for pheasant in the Texas Panhandle with pretty good results.

I usually stick to Winchester Super-X in 8 shot for quail and dove in Texas. They're usually the same price as the Rem Heavy Dove where I live. I found the Winchester Texas Dove loads are essentially Super-X repackaged.

By the way, Kudos to Kudu. I always have my best luck with Winchester AA Super Sport Sporting Clay rounds. Much more consistent patterns, and I know exactly what to expect since that's what I shoot 5-stand with out of my Beretta autoloader. I shoot them if I have them with me, otherwise it's typically Super-X.

9/1 is only a couple weeks away!

 

[Matt G]

Agree with Kudu on the promo loads. I've bought into the Winchester Super Speed promo loads at WalMart a few times, and they are crap. They may be cheap, shoot poor patterns, and only have 20gauge shotloads in 12gauge hulls, but at least they don't function reliably.

A few years ago a friend put me onto using AA Heavy Target loads for dove. I found that I was hitting more dove than ever before. Shot for shot, I was spending less money and carrying home fewer empty hulls and more dove. Yes, they're more expensive at the outset, but the results are worth it.