Spike Camp

Best ammo for dove hunting

Manz

Best ammo for dove hunting
« on: August 26, 2012, 03:30:21 PM »
Just picked up a SA-08 for the dove opener.  Anyone have any suggestions on what might work best in her?  Steel vs lead etc. thanks

badsection

Re: Best ammo for dove hunting
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2012, 03:38:57 PM »
How close in? Over a good dog or over a pond?  I`d use  lead EVERY time if you have that option. Far off,I`d use #6`s,close in,7 1/2`s  Steel,#6`s! Hope that helps!

ccc23454

Re: Best ammo for dove hunting
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2012, 03:49:34 PM »
#8 lead and lots of it, if its even a decent hunt your going need it.  Walmart usually sells cases of  7 1/2 or 8's for a good price.

Re: Best ammo for dove hunting
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2012, 03:51:52 PM »
I just wrote a response and it disappeared,oh well,try again,I started using rio ammo a couple of years ago and really like it,I use to use whatever was on sale usually remington sure shot,the rio seems to shoot alot cleaner,better powder I guess,seems to pattern better in my gun,I use heavy game loads 7 1/2,if i think shots will be long for the day I go with the high brass long range @ 1335 fps,but that stuff sure puts a whippin on my shoulder.I have never heard of steel shot on doves,but I have never hunted them outside of Texas,only thing we have to have steel on is duck and goose.

badsection

Re: Best ammo for dove hunting
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2012, 04:02:35 PM »
I agree,southtx. If we were close to big water(Cheapeake Bay,etc),we had to use steel in MD.Clean is good! Dove shooting meant 25 rounds or more!  A good bird dog made it tons easier!

Re: Best ammo for dove hunting
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2012, 04:21:27 PM »
yes,the dog makes the difference,I have a one year old vizsla,got him last sept at the end of the season,he's one hell of a pointer,going to see if he can earn his keep next weekend digging em out of the sunflower patches after they hit the ground !

johnp034

Re: Best ammo for dove hunting
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2012, 06:08:54 PM »
Rio's, 3 1/4 drams, 1 1/8 oz. 7.5 or 8's.  That's the hottest load in Tennessee.

lamric

Re: Best ammo for dove hunting
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2012, 06:48:42 PM »
Winchester AA Heavy Target with 1 1/8th oz. of #8 has been devastating  on doves out of my SA-08.

Manz

Re: Best ammo for dove hunting
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2012, 07:33:31 PM »
Roger. Thanks everyone. I usually hunt Yuma AZ or El Centro CA area. We will see how the SA-08 handles the loads and 110+ heat. Get u all back after the opener.