What size shot shell for dove?

The options for dove hunting ammunition are varied, but most use No. 7.5 or 8 shot. The key to either is to make sure the bird is with the 30- to 40-yard optimum range for any shell.

What size shot do you use for dove?

Choosing Shotgun Ammunition and Shot Size for Dove Dove hunters should stick to smaller shot sizes – No. 7 ½, 8, or 9. Perhaps the best all-around and most common 12-gauge shot shell used in the dove fields is a 1 or 1 1/8 ounce load of 7 ½.

Can I shoot dove with a 20 gauge?

Many wing shooters consider the 20-gauge to be the perfect gauge shotgun for almost all upland shooting, and regard this as the ideal choice for the dove fields. Its light weight, quick maneuverability and wide range of dove loads offered make it a favorite for September doves.

Can you use target shot for dove?

Dove hunting is warm weather shooting, so you’ll likely be wearing little more than a t-shirt between your shoulder and the buttpad of the shotgun. Minimize recoil all you can for this typically high-volume shooting and go with 1-ounce light field or target loads in 7 ½ or 8 shot.

Is 12 or 20-gauge dove hunting better?

More people shoot 12-gauge shotguns than anything else, but a 12-gauge is hardly necessary for doves. If you hunt everything, including waterfowl and turkeys, with one shotgun, 12-gauge is the way to go. Otherwise, 20-gauge is more fun and still effective.

Can you hunt dove with a 22?

In short, NO. Those . 22 rounds ricochet off of everything. We had to take cover once, down in Niland, because some homey decided to ground sluice dove in a field.

How far do you aim in front of a dove?

You want to aim over six feet in front of the bird. As a general rule, one inch of barrel movement equals one foot of lead for the bird. If you shoot like you are going to miss in front of the bird, you will likely put the dove right in the center of your shot pattern.

Can you use game loads for dove hunting?

It will work fine, it is what a lot of hunters use. The only difference between them is that the target loads often have better quality components than game loads, hence the generally higher price.

Is 5 shot good for dove?

Upsize your pellets: Most people use 7 ½ or 8 shot for doves, but at close range, there are so many pellets in those shells that you can pulverize your birds. Plus, those tiny pellets quickly lose energy at longer range. Flanigan likes to upsize his pellets for doves — say to 4s, 5s or 6s.

What gun is best for dove hunting?

Four More Dove Guns for Hunters on a Budget

• Weatherby SA-08. $650. Weatherby SA-08 Weatherby. Semi-automatic is my favorite action for doves.
• Remington 870 Express. Remington 870 Express. Starts at $417 Remington.
• Stoeger P3000. Stoeger P3000. $300 Stoeger.
• CZ Drake. CZ Drake. $630 CZ-USA.