RE: What is the best shot# for doves??
 

I use 7.5's on all my dove hunts and yes it does a great job on doves as well as grouse.

Good Luck

RE: What is the best shot# for doves??
 

early in grouse season we use 7 and 1/2 LOW brass on them as shots are close with leaves on trees..i like remington 2 and 3/4 shurshot heavy dove load..vel is 1255,drams are 3 and 1/4 with 1 and 1/8 shot..

this is best i have found and under 5 dollars a box..

now, after leaves are off, i go to shurshot no.6 shot,HIGH brass because the shots will be from 30 yds out to 60 yds..

in early season here on grouseis what i do, i put my first shell in my beretta semi which is 7 and 1/2,THEN second shell is no. 6 high brass..this works great..i do same on pheasants early in season..

i put a no.6 low brass in first shot then next is no.5 high brass for second shot..

after leaves are off, nothing but high brass no. 6 shot on grouse in all 3 shells..

the secret to getting grouse after they are spooky and no leaves is to hunt on the WINDY days at noon to 3pm here in pa..

then and only then you will get real close shots, i then use 7 and 1/2 low brass shurshot dove loads..

RE: What is the best shot# for doves??
 

7 1/2 no doubt and #6 steel in those waterfowling areas.

RE: What is the best shot# for doves??
 

7 1/2 for any range but 6 for longer ranges no doubt.

RE: What is the best shot# for doves??
 

7.5 lead for sure but I would like to hear some more opinions for the steel shot.

RE: What is the best shot# for doves??
 

I shoot both 12 and 20 gauges, I recently started shooting a 16 gauge, and I prefer 7.5 shot in all three gauges. It's been extremely reliable over the years. The best advice I can give, is to try 7.5's and 8's or 9's, on a patterning board, the skeet range or whatever shotgun game you like to shoot and see what works best for you.

Good Luck

RE: What is the best shot# for doves??
 

I shoot 7/8 oz. 9's in my 20 Citori over/under almost exclusively and virtually never lose a bird and rarely ring a neck. I watch many around me shooting 12 gauge 8's, ragging birds and twisting lots of heads. I usually choke modified in one barrel, improved in the other.

Exceptions tothis occur when it's windy, I'll go to 8's and if it's open big field shooting like winter doves, I'll choke full in one barrel, modified in the other.

9's simply smoke 'em.

RE: What is the best shot# for doves??
 

I use turkey loads...ok just kiddin'. 7 1/2or8 for 12 or 20 gauge.