Whatcha Using For The Dove Opener?....

[Tom Held]

dove gun

Not sure Dave but likely my Ruger 28 ga Red Label, choked IC and Full, Fiocchi 7 1/2s.

Option would be a Winchester 21, 20 gauge, fixed chokes, Mod in the right barrel, full in the left. Tom

 

[Gordon]

I got ready for this LAST year ! I started by finding a 26" Japanese made tubed
3" Browning 20ga barrel on E bay for my old 20 gauge 1966 A-5 . I got a Colonial extended steel Imp cyl. steel tube for it to shoot the steel ( mandated for Monterey county :banghead #5s I bought a flat of. I patterned it this spring and found by turning the choke just so could center my patterns at 100 feet nicely. I adjusted the friction pieces to their light configuration. I also ran a few of the light 12 ga. Kent fast steel #7s thru my BSS Imp cyl. and modified barrels to see what they would do, just in case! I also have a couple flats of those 12ga #7 steel for use locally .
So I will open with 20 ga. Kent Faststeel 7/8 .oz #5s in my old Browning A-5 with a Colonial Super Steel choke tube installed.

 

[Sniper66]

This year I'll open the season with a Benelli Legacy 20 ga and Winchester 7.5s. It is light, fast, and fits me like a glove. Can't wait!! Last year I opened with my Browning Superposed Lightning 12 ga......maybe I'll take both

 

[snakeman]

stoeger uplander 20 gauge

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Take your pick...



Actually, the Citori on the left is mine. This pic was from a couple of years ago.

 

[cpt-t]

Whatcha Using For The Dove Opener

DAVE: I am really looking forward to Sept 1 this year. I have not got to go for several years,but it looks like a go this year lots of birds where we hunt I am told by my Son and his friends. I have a Ithica 500 O\U 20 ga Mod & IMP, and a Ithica 100 S\S Mod & FUL 20 ga that are cleaned up and ready to go. I just think I will just take them both, I don`t plan on hunting very far from my truck. GOOD LUCK TO YOU: ken

 

[35Rem]

Dad gave me an American Browning (Remington Model 11) in 20 ga for Christmas. It has a factory Cylinder bore. If they fly low, that's the one. If they fly higher, I found a Modified barrel for it.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Remington 1100 (model now called the Wingmaster) or Mossberk 5500 MkII both 12 gauge.

 

[morcey2]

Winchester 1300 if everyone else remembers their guns, or a Tristar Hunter O/U if someone needs a loaner.

Matt

 

[powell&hyde]

I still use my M240 Stevens O/U 410 for dove hunting.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Take your pick...

You mean you are making donations?

I'll take the Benelli 3 from the right

 

[GrandmasterB]

SKB 500 in 20ga, choked M/F just like Dave's.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I'll take the Benelli 3 from the right

Justin would break your fingers, but I think he sold that gun.

The one on the far right is H&H's old pos Webley & Scott. That's the one I would probably pick (if it wasn't so darn old ).

 

[Dr.Rob]

Remington Sportsman 12 Magnum pump gun 26 in vent rib/modified. .. though I usually bring a Winchester model 24 to loan out.

Federal 12 ga 7&1/2 dove loads.

 

[Slimbo]

'75 870 wingmaster or the cheapest gun I've ever bought, a western auto 20 (mossberg 500). I'd like a "new" shotgun, have to see what the budget will allow..

 

[Robert]

That's the one I would probably pick

It is too light. I over swing that thing everytime. It is a very pretty example of a 1937 British shotgun, but too light and fragile for me.

Justin would break your fingers, but I think he sold that gun.

He still has it. That is his 3Gun shotgun in hunting trim. And yes he would do bad nasty things to anyone who tried to amble off with it.

 

[test drive]

i know this sounds stange but opening day will be a 97 clone 20inch mod bbl. my dad left it to me 3 years ago when he passed away and i allways use it on opening day. after that it will be my ithaca 37 with 7.5 shot

 

[Dave McCracken]

Tom, I know for a fact you have other good choices, I wonder why you picked those two.

Larry, I'd pick that 28 gauge, but I'd rather keep you for a friend....

Test drive, I understand. In fact, I bought that SKB because it was the same make and model as Pop's last shotgun. I now know why he liked it so much. So, shoot your heirloom and remember how it came to you.

A good Dove Gun is one you shoot well at Dove, comfortably. Period......

 

[orphanedcowboy]

Beretta 303 20ga

Dove and Clay only gun

7/8oz of Federal Top Gun thru a LM choke

 

[Tom Held]

choices

Dave, I really shoot those two guns well even though they could not be more distinctly different. I shot 1100 doves one day with the 28 in Argentina and it's amazing how far you can kill a dove with a 28 gauge.

The 21 just has great chokes and there's just something about starting the hunting season using a side by side.

I hope all of my friends on this forum sometime have a chance to shoot dove in Argentina. It's an experience you can never forget.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good reason, Tom. I've shot a couple 21s. You're right about the chokes.

Argentina sounds good, but I doubt I'll ever hit the lottery and get to go...

 

[huntershooter]

My two favorites:

20 Ga. AYA #2 Sidelock, 29" barrels, choked Imp./Mod.
12 Ga. AYA #2 Sidelock, 26" barrels, choked Lt. Mod./Full. (1 oz. loads)

 

[MtnCreek]

At the house, I typically hunt with a 28ga citori or a 20ga A5. At friends places, it’s usually a 12ga 391 (out for blood when I’m shooting at someone else’s birds).

 

[JohnB]

If they are flying like they are supposed to on opening day, an old standard weight 1100 20 ga. with Colonial choke tubes added to a mint vent rib barrel I paid too much for. Always in reserve in the truck is an old 1100 12 ga. if they are high and fast.

 

[ISO1600]

870 Express, 18" barrel set up for chokes by Mike Orlen. Low fliers/opening weekend will mostly be Skeet 1 and i've got some 1oz loads of 7.5 and 6 (both lead).
This will be at my house; i love living out of city limits.