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What is your favorite subgauge dove choke/shot size combo

  • 16ga.

    Votes: 16 14%
  • 20ga

    Votes: 68 59%
  • 28ga

    Votes: 46 40%
  • .410 bore

    Votes: 12 10%
  • cylinder

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • skeet

    Votes: 5 4.3%
  • improved cylinder

    Votes: 47 41%
  • lite modified/skeet 2

    Votes: 27 23%
  • modified

    Votes: 55 47%
  • improved modified

    Votes: 13 11%
  • full

    Votes: 9 7.8%
  • extra full

    Votes: 0 0%
  • #6

    Votes: 4 3.4%
  • #7

    Votes: 7 6%
  • #7 1/2

    Votes: 65 56%
  • #8

    Votes: 47 41%
  • #8 1/2

    Votes: 10 8.6%
  • #9

    Votes: 3 2.6%
1 - 20 of 27 Posts

ksfowler166

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676 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Well dove season is fast approaching and I thought I would ask the yearly question of what gauge, shot size and choke you like for those silver rockets, mourning doves. September 1 is just 39 days away and each one more painful than the last.
 
20 gauge modified with 7.5's or 6's is awful hard to beat.

But so is the same set up in 16 gauge!
 
I voted for 20 gauge with modified and improved modified and 7 1/2 shot. I chose those chokes as most of my shots are pass shooting and I use 2 chokes since I shoot a double. If hunting a water hole or decoying them in closer, I would go with improved cylinder and modified in my double.
 
Mike - I shot the shells listed above in boy 20 and 12 last year and really liked them. Despite people commenting that they are a gimmick sale I am a real fan of the #7 shot myself and stock up on them when I get the chance, even hand load #7 for my 410.

Jrg
 
My family, some friends and I shot 36,000 shells loaded with 7s in Argentina last year. I was very impressed with how well they performed on doves and pigeons. IMO they definitely aren't a gimmick.
 
either the 20 or 28 - IC early, M late.

Here in FL, dove does not start on Sept - more like October

BTW, if you look at Briley, SKII is NOT LM.
An older skeet champion told me that there is skeet - .005, but then there is SK1 and SK2, aka Skeet in and Skeet out, or .003 and .008

I have never known a serious skeet shoot use a LM for skeet with 21 yard targets

Back to the original post, 8s work great early with the IC, 7.5 later with the M
 
Since when is Briley the "certified authority" on choke tube dimensions? (Just asking, not being a "smart a$$.) What Briley lists is their own standard produced dimensions on choke tubes.

But many other manufacturers utilize different degrees of constriction for 20 and 28 ga. chokes. That seems more logical to me, as there is a reduction in bore size. In addition, many other choke tube manufacturers use similar dimensions for "Skeet 2", Imp. Skeet, and LM, and NOT what Briley uses.

I don't think there is any "right" answer, as SAAMI only lists choke in generalized terms and no dimensions, and each firearm manufacturer used their own general dimensions, which were similar but not necessarily identical.
 
I believe Briley calls .003 constriction Lite Skeet rather than skt I. Doesn't really matter anyway. If I'm dove hunting with my 28ga I always have the modified choke in the gun. It's proven to be a good choice for those little birds for me.
 
Hi,

I have used a 12ga muzzleloader SxS with 1oz of #7-1/2 with skeet/Mod. I picked up a 28ga SxS this summer. So I think I will try Win AA with #7-1/2 this year. Maybe use IC/Mod for chokes.

I was out to the farm scouting last Sunday. Not many doves around again this year. Late cold spring didn't help anybody.

dalee
 
Hi,

Yeah I have an affliction with muzzleloaders. I've been known to drag that think into a duck blind on occasion.

I am looking forward to doves and grouse with that 28 SxS this fall.

dalee
 
1 - 20 of 27 Posts