Winchester AA - which ones for dove/quail?
- Thread starter dave3006
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Clemson
Member
Early in the season the light target loads in #8 will do just fine.
Clemson
Clemson
Clemson
Member
First I go to a modified or full choke from the early season I.C. Then I go to 7 1/2's. I use a 20 gauge when I am not shooting a .410 on doves. During the first season, I normally shoot 7/8 oz of 8's. I will shoot 1 oz. of 7 1/2's for the later seasons.
Clemson
Clemson
Just what Clemson said.
TrapperReady
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I posted this on TFL as well, but I've had good luck using the SuperSport AA shells. They're loaded to a claimed 1275fps, which is a bit faster than most of the other target loads. This is good for me, since most of my hunting guns have fixed Full chokes. The added velocity opens up the patterns slightly.
I use 1 1/8 oz of #7 1/2 shot for a 12ga load.
If I was shooting a gun with choke tubes, I'd probably be using IC and the Xtra-Light target loads. These push 1 oz of shot a little under 1200fps. My next choice would be the Light Handicap heavy target load, which stays with 1 oz, but pushes it around 1290fps.
I use 1 1/8 oz of #7 1/2 shot for a 12ga load.
If I was shooting a gun with choke tubes, I'd probably be using IC and the Xtra-Light target loads. These push 1 oz of shot a little under 1200fps. My next choice would be the Light Handicap heavy target load, which stays with 1 oz, but pushes it around 1290fps.
Selfdfenz
Member
If you are going to save the hulls and reload them.....
FYI
I have had premature splitting with AAs that I do not have with Remington green sps cases.
AAs used to be so well made you about couldn't ware'em out. Not so these days. They sometimes split at the crimp on the 2nd or 3rd reload.
S-
FYI
I have had premature splitting with AAs that I do not have with Remington green sps cases.
AAs used to be so well made you about couldn't ware'em out. Not so these days. They sometimes split at the crimp on the 2nd or 3rd reload.
S-
Swamprabbit
Member
Now I'm just reporting hearsay so take it for what its worth. A good friend of mine, who knows more about shotgunning that I do, told me that the shot in AA loads is a harder shot intended for better shot patterns for clay bird shooting. The harder shot may not be as effective on real birds as pure lead shot would.
If anyone knows for sure and disagrees, I won't take it personally.
If anyone knows for sure and disagrees, I won't take it personally.
TrapperReady
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- Jan 29, 2003
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- 2,732
Regarding shot hardness and killing... read Brister's book "Shotgunning: The Art and Science". Hard shot holds better patterns AND kills better.
They "soft shot expands and kills better" theory is an old wives-tale which doesn't hold up to close examination.
They "soft shot expands and kills better" theory is an old wives-tale which doesn't hold up to close examination.
Heck sometimes it seems that you don't need any shot to kill doves.
Can't say how many I've cleaned with no visible shot signs. Then there are the times when all the shot in the world in that air at the same time can’t seem to kill them. :banghead:
Go figure.
Can't say how many I've cleaned with no visible shot signs. Then there are the times when all the shot in the world in that air at the same time can’t seem to kill them. :banghead:
Go figure.Clemson
Member
Doves are hard to hit -- They are NOT particularly hard to kill. Use a light, comfortable load to hunt with. You could end up shooting a lot of times to get your limit. A shell to bird ratio of 8 to 1 is not unusual. In South Carolina, public dove fields now limit each hunter to 2 boxes of shells to attempt to curb "sky busting." The bag limit is 12 birds. If you pick your shots, you can limit out with 2 boxes of shells. The real shooters will use more like one box. I have seen a hunter run 12 straight, but that is a very rare event in dove hunting.
Now forget about optimizing your load. Install the Improved Cylinder choke tube in your gun. Get a camo T-shirt and a pair of shorts, a dove stool and plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent, and drinking water, and head out for about the most fun you can have with your clothes on!
Clemson
Now forget about optimizing your load. Install the Improved Cylinder choke tube in your gun. Get a camo T-shirt and a pair of shorts, a dove stool and plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent, and drinking water, and head out for about the most fun you can have with your clothes on!
Clemson
Gila Jorge
Member
I just picked up some 7.5 1.125oz Wichester AA Super Sport Sporting C;lays
loads from Wal Mart for around 5 a box...they have 1300 advertisied velocity.
I use thm for doves and early season quail. Boring on my side by sixe is IC and Mod. Remington also has a sporting clasy load similar in specs but with the far superior Nitro 27 hull which reloads like a dream (the way AA's used to be).
Later in the season I switch to Mod and I.Mod. and move to Wicnhester Supremes 1.25 oz and 7.5 shot at 1400 velocity. Federal and Remington may
also have similar. I like the copper plated extra hard 7.5s for running western quail that get up at 35-45 yards.
loads from Wal Mart for around 5 a box...they have 1300 advertisied velocity.
I use thm for doves and early season quail. Boring on my side by sixe is IC and Mod. Remington also has a sporting clasy load similar in specs but with the far superior Nitro 27 hull which reloads like a dream (the way AA's used to be).
Later in the season I switch to Mod and I.Mod. and move to Wicnhester Supremes 1.25 oz and 7.5 shot at 1400 velocity. Federal and Remington may
also have similar. I like the copper plated extra hard 7.5s for running western quail that get up at 35-45 yards.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
For early season doves, 1 oz AA loads of 8s are probably close to optimum when paired with the correct choke for the shots offered. For later, maybe 7 1/2s are better and when shots run out to 40 yards.
Doves, like quail, are hard to hit but easy to drop when you do hit them.
The Heavy Target 1 1/8 oz load is an old favorite but recently I've come to believe it's more than needed for 90% of the shots I get. And out of a light shotgun in T shirt weather, two or three boxes can sting a bit.
Doves, like quail, are hard to hit but easy to drop when you do hit them.
The Heavy Target 1 1/8 oz load is an old favorite but recently I've come to believe it's more than needed for 90% of the shots I get. And out of a light shotgun in T shirt weather, two or three boxes can sting a bit.
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