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Dove decoy and ammo

2K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  410-er 
#1 ·
Starting to get things together for this falls dove season. I have seen adds for these fake dove trees with dove decoys on them, has anyone used one?

Second question is what are you guys shooting? I used Rio dove loads last year and wasn't happy. Prior years I shot Remington golds that I loved but can't find. I would like to find something in a high brass or with enough punch to drop birds and not just cut their tails off.
 
#2 ·
I use a Remington 11-87 20 ga. and 2 3/4 Fiocchi Golden Phesant #7.5 shot or
2 3/4 Estate Heavy Game Load #8
only takes takes a few pellets drop a dove

Sometimes even use Remington Dove Loads.

I never found the need for high brass for Doves.
I think the choke I use is more important then the shells I use.

I can't wait for September 2nd.!!and a plus is first day of dove is Labor Day don't even have to take off work
 
#3 ·
A dove takes very little to bring down. If you are missing, it isn't the shells, the cheapest shells will bring down a dove if you hit it. You would be better off shooting some sporting clays prior to the season than worrying about what shells to use. Your post tells what the problem is, if you are cutting tails you are not in front of the bird when you pull the trigger it is not the ammo, it is you. You are probable stopping the gun when you pull the trigger. Butt, body beak, bang!
 
#5 ·
A dirty barrel matters zero in making any shot on any game.
It may make cleaning appear as a bit more necessary and it can indicate an issue with wad to barrel seal in a wintertime scenario.
But, re dove swatting...that particular is unlikely.

I would avoid "Dove" loads though as the components are often less than stellar and while that seldom makes a practical difference...any skeet or light trap load will find you miles ahead. One can sell those hulls a bit easier as well.
Still, the shot shell is always a very small portion of any shot on a flying game bird...hit or miss.

Shoot Skeet, informal and low-gun...cheaper and better practice.
Practice breaking the bird and then breaking a remaining piece to improve focus and follow-thru.
 
#8 ·
If you are worried about finding shells and the quality maybe it's time to start reloading. I worked up a load years ago that pushes 1-1/8 oz of shot about 1250-1275 fps. Ended up using it for anything short of pheasant.

As for decoys, I never had any luck with any kind of decoy. I always had more luck with just using a call. The only time I have ever been able to get the spinners to work properly is when there's enough wind that the birds are moving about mach 1.
 
#10 ·
OldDublin said:
A dirty barrel matters zero in making any shot on any game.
It may make cleaning appear as a bit more necessary and it can indicate an issue with wad to barrel seal in a wintertime scenario.
But, re dove swatting...that particular is unlikely.

I would avoid "Dove" loads though as the components are often less than stellar and while that seldom makes a practical difference...any skeet or light trap load will find you miles ahead. One can sell those hulls a bit easier as well.
Still, the shot shell is always a very small portion of any shot on a flying game bird...hit or miss.

Shoot Skeet, informal and low-gun...cheaper and better practice.
Practice breaking the bird and then breaking a remaining piece to improve focus and follow-thru.
+2 ... Can't argue.
 
#11 ·
When I was a young teen (45yrs ago) I read alot of Fur-Fish-Game.I remember cutting out dove shapes out of cardboard and painting primer grey.Give it a black marker eye and a stick for a leg.It worked!I remember putting 10-12 out in a dirt lane.Doves would see them and turn right in.If I could do over I might modify the stick legs with clothes pins for hunting fence lines.
YES,decoys did work!
 
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