Dunno yet. I'm now thinking about taking up dove hunting. What's yours if you have one?
I have two shotguns. A very old Stevens 311A sxs 12ga and a Mossberg 88..
Both are bit big, heavy, and illfitting.
Ive never been dove hunting. But often those of serious intent have light fast handling elegant guns for the purpose. Hence the question.
Often the lowly over looked single shot gun can be put into sevice very effectively. A viable option for someone dipping their toes in the water......
I'm afraid a single shot wouldn't allow for a fast follow-up shot if needed. I've seen dove-shooting vids and often a second shot is required. A double (Holland & Holland) or over-under (Beretta Silver Pigeon) that I would like would be a little too rich for my blood so I'm thinking about a good repeating shotgun that's not fancy. The two most popular guns I've seen are pump-actions and self-loaders for dove.
Sooo...you're all wound up about dove hunting but don't own a shotgun? One thing is damned hard to accomplish without the other....just sayin...
Who said "I don't own a shotgun"?
Should have specified "bird gun" but I suspect you're 870 Express 12 gauge will suffice to get you started...
Rest assured you're not being hazed....just attempting to ascertain what I and some others suspect to be the case...and certainly hope its not the case...
Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"
I did most of my dove hunting as a kid, and young adult with a Ithaca model 37 Featherweight 20 gauge pump shotgun that had an improved cylinder barrel.
Pick up a used pump shotgun and start learning.
Finding a mentor to help would be invaluable.
What is confusing is your passion for doves, when you have not dove hunted yet.
Why don't you tell us what shotgun(s) you do own, and what your experience is with shotgunning? I assume that's why you're here, or at least part of the reason you're here.
Also, do you have a place to shoot doves? You need that, too.
Jerry
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
My go-to shotgun for dove hunting is a Rem. 870 in 20 ga. with screw in choke tubes. I use modified most of the time, and switch to Full choke when they fly higher. I also use a Rem. 870 in 28 ga. when I'm feeling frisky; same two screw in choke restrictions for it. Since dove shooting tends to be high volume shooting, the 20 and 28 gauges are easier on my shoulder than my 12 ga. 870.
“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer” ― Douglas Adams
I did most of my dove hunting as a kid, and young adult with a Ithaca model 37 Featherweight 20 gauge pump shotgun that had an improved cylinder barrel.
Pick up a used pump shotgun and start learning.
Finding a mentor to help would be invaluable.
What is confusing is your passion for doves, when you have not dove hunted yet.
Have you ate dove?
My passion (curiosity) comes from reading about it and watching outdoor vids. You may have read Treasure Island and had the hankering to become a pirate or at least dress like one on Halloween. No, I have not eaten dove. But as a popper many people have attested that they are nothing short of yummy. I'd say I have more of a hankering to try dove hunting out. Another thing I want to do is get a retriever and train it as a bird dog.
It should be no cause for confusion: if one is interested in taking up something it might be wise to do a little homework first. You would not become a brain surgeon without first going to med school, I hope. I think mourning doves look and sound super cool so I made my avatar and username based upon them. I hear them cooing plaintively in my own backyard during their warm-weather migration seasons and I see them perched up telephone wires in my neighborhood. Hearing them and seeing them everyday gives me the bug.
Most of my hunting knowledge is theoretical, by books, periodicals, shooting mag features and such.
I have read several articles in several Guns Digest annuals. I think a web forum might help me gather more pointers.
I had a lovely Savage sxs in 20 gauge that was a sweet little dove gun. It was ruined in Hurricane Irma. Not a pleasant memory.
What I've read is a side by side is difficult to point and has an unnatural sight picture. A gun with a single barrel or one that gives the sight picture of a single barrel as an over-under seems to point more naturally. I have an Orvis book on wingshooting I bought and read. Many people find the wide shooting plane of a SxS a bit awkward.
I have had a lot of bird dogs and every one HATED retrieving doves due to the soft, easily detached feathers....constantly hacking and coughing up wet feathers....My old Lab worked it out by only picking them up by the wingtip....and my Springer always had to swallow at least one whole....then spent the next couple of days pooping feathers. Strangely....He never did that with quail...a similarly sized bird.
Side by Sides....Your inexperience shows...you don't "sight" a shotgun while wingshooting...you "point" a shotgun and focus on the target( more accurately...a spot on the target) which is why it's important to have a properly fitted shotgun...
Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"
Correct, no hands-on experience, just book knowledge. I will have to take up skeet lessons maybe? Maybe some good folks can recommend an entry-level gun with a plastic stock. I don't want to go over $750. Are there any articles here on novice wingshooting I can read up on?
Skeet and trap are good for learning the basics....
Why not just get a 24" barrel with interchangeable chokes for your 870? It will work just fine until you're ready to step up to a dedicated bird gun....
Plastic stock?
Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"
Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience -- Mark Twain How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
My buddy and I like to shoot at them in the air with our bows. We just fling arrows all over the place. We have been called irresponsible by some and even ruthless by other dip wads. Now I’m not saying we shot any bear cubs or left any wounded animals but still “ruthless”.
My buddy and I like to shoot at them in the air with our bows. We just fling arrows all over the place. We have been called irresponsible by some and even ruthless by other dip wads. Now I’m not saying we shot any bear cubs or left any wounded animals but still “ruthless”.
How do you feel about Aldo Leopold?
Aldo Who? Never heard of that person! A good retriever (dog) can be trained to recover lost arrows.
Replies
Both are bit big, heavy, and illfitting.
Ive never been dove hunting. But often those of serious intent have light fast handling elegant guns for the purpose. Hence the question.
Often the lowly over looked single shot gun can be put into sevice very effectively. A viable option for someone dipping their toes in the water......
And dirty little minds and They're gonna get you every time
Good luck on the search. Ive seen those CZ Ringnecks. Nice guns for a reasonable price. Could be an auto is the most practical option.
Rest assured you're not being hazed....just attempting to ascertain what I and some others suspect to be the case...and certainly hope its not the case...
"The Un-Tactical"
Also, do you have a place to shoot doves? You need that, too.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
― Douglas Adams
It should be no cause for confusion: if one is interested in taking up something it might be wise to do a little homework first. You would not become a brain surgeon without first going to med school, I hope. I think mourning doves look and sound super cool so I made my avatar and username based upon them. I hear them cooing plaintively in my own backyard during their warm-weather migration seasons and I see them perched up telephone wires in my neighborhood. Hearing them and seeing them everyday gives me the bug.
Most of my hunting knowledge is theoretical, by books, periodicals, shooting mag features and such.
I have read several articles in several Guns Digest annuals. I think a web forum might help me gather more pointers.
Pink camo is not my bag but if they turn on certain people then more power to them!
We have a winner!
Same. Same.
Strangely....He never did that with quail...a similarly sized bird.
Side by Sides....Your inexperience shows...you don't "sight" a shotgun while wingshooting...you "point" a shotgun and focus on the target( more accurately...a spot on the target) which is why it's important to have a properly fitted shotgun...
Why not just get a 24" barrel with interchangeable chokes for your 870? It will work just fine until you're ready to step up to a dedicated bird gun....
Plastic stock?
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
Smitten by the midget. 😉
It is a "Mars Capacity" weapon.
"The Un-Tactical"
John 3: 1-21
Do they come in .270?