What shotgun for Dove?

[Radar363]

My Dad and uncles all used Browning Auto 5s or the Remington version of it in 16 gauge. They swore it was the only shotgun you needed in GA.
They used them mostly for upland game but also took deer with them.

 

[rtross]

Whichever one you shoot well and swings the most reliably for you.

 

[BanjoJohn]

Whichever one you shoot well and swings the most reliably for you.

I've gone through several, but I think the BPS I have now is going to do the job.

LOP makes a lot difference in you accurately shooting a shotgun.

A nice recoil pad helps.

 

[rtross]

I've gone through several, but I think the BPS I have now is going to do the job.

LOP makes a lot difference in you accurately shooting a shotgun.

A nice recoil pad helps.

Like BanjoJohn , I have used several; actually, more than several.
Therefore, I pronounce myself an ODT shotgun expert.

With that established, let me say this:
I shoot each one with as much inaccuracy (but enthusiasm) as the other

 

[LARGO9]

Got Dove hunt setup for opening day on some private Dove fields, most likely Beretta 391 in 20ga or a Browning 410 U/O

 

[Allsmiles]

I would suggest whatever has the cheapest shells as you will shoot a lot of them. If it flies, it's probably safe around me.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

I never noticed much of a difference in recoil between low-brass, small-birdshot loads in 12 gauge vs. 20 gauge. With waterfowl or turkey loads, slugs, or buckshot, sure-- there's a big difference. Not so much with dove loads, or trap and skeet loads. But then, I've always bought "game" loads, with pellet muzzle velocities in the ballpark of 1200 or 1300 feet per second. Why? Because that's what I typically find on sale, cheap, in big box stores.

That being said, I just picked up some low recoil 20 gauge shells from Winchester. They're low recoil target loads. 7/8 of an ounce of #8 shot at a muzzle velocity of only 970 feet/ second. That ought to be nice and mild, but plenty lethal to doves. They cost more ($8 per box instead of $5), but I want to give them a try, and I know some recoil-sensitive people who may want to borrow my 20 ga. shotgun that would appreciate them, too.

 

[romans1212]

I tried my 20g last year. I don’t think it goes out as far as the 12 gauge.

 

[Remmy]

A400 extrema oe Benelli 12 guage
3 !/4 dram of powder 1 !/4 oz of shot,number 8's

 

[Shmelton]

If you miss them with a 20 you would have missed them with the 12.

A 16ga kicks like a 12 pattern likes a 20 and cost triple.

These are wise words from my wise grandpa. He would take 1 box of shells to a dove field get his 12 bird limit, and have shells left over. This apple fell far from the tree.


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