Rabbit/Dove guns

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Axis II

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So every once in awhile (usually once a year) I get to wondering do I have the correct equipment? My buddy just got a rabbit dog and I see a lot of rabbit hunting in my future. I currently use a Stoeger Condor 20ga O/U with IMP and Mod chokes. Him and his crew all use Semi Auto 16ga or SXS shotguns.

I also recently started dove hunting and used my Mossberg 500 12ga. I couldn't hit squat with that thing as its always been more of a turkey/deer gun. I thought about taking the 20ga this year, but I don't think its got enough range for doves. I found an auction that has a Browning Maxus stalker for a bid of $400. I don't know if I would want to take a high end gun hunting though.

Any suggestions?
 
My bottom barrel goes off first so should that be the IMP and top full?
 
Model 12 Winchester in 16 gauge, modified choke barrel is what gets my vote. They aren't hard to find and aren't terribly expensive either. Light weight, dependable, they hold 7 shots for your bunny blasting pleasure, and you can plug the magazine for dove shooting too. Plus, they're a quality gun that can be passed down through the years. A quick GunsInternational search shows 3 or 4 16's under $500. A 12 gauge version is even cheaper, and any good gunsmith can open the choke to suit your needs, or even install screw-in chokes if you wanted to go that route.

I know folks who've shot doves with 20's and they either love 'em or hate 'em. Personally I use a BRNO sxs 12 gauge for all things flying, never have bothered to take anything else. I'd recommend one of those guns to you, but they're becoming very hard to find, and pricey when you do find them. I digress... a 20 is probably fine for rabbit close in, and dove under certain conditions, but I like knowing I have a little extra reach when I need to pick off that long crosser, or if a wily cottontail gets behind me. For those jobs a 16 is hard to beat, to me at least. Sure, the ammo costs a little more if you don't reload it (I do) but how much are you going to actually be shooting? I dove hunt 3 or 4 times a year, at my house, and seldom use more than 2 boxes of shells during each outing and get all the birds I want (no limit here). When we go rabbit hunting, I take 1/2 a box of shells and seldom ever shoot more than whats in my gun. 4 or 5 bunnies is enough for me. So, a case of cartridges lasts quite a while with me. So please, at least consider the 16. Its still a very viable option in today's shotgun world.

Mac
 
My bottom barrel goes off first so should that be the IMP and top full?
Typically the bottom barrel is the most open choke. On most doubles there is a selector for which barrel fires first. Because of the recoil characteristics of an over under and the assumption that the first shot will be at a closer target the bottom barrel is generally fired first.
 
I use 12’s and 20’s for dove, chokes differ depending on where I am hunting. If I am using an over/under I keep the selector on the “up close” choke in case they com from behind, if I see them coming from a distance I can switch to a tighter choke.

My favorite rabbit guns are Savage 24’s. No need to use a shotgun if they are not moving and the 24’s are the easiest way to carry both an accurate rifle and shotgun.
 
I use 12’s and 20’s for dove, chokes differ depending on where I am hunting. If I am using an over/under I keep the selector on the “up close” choke in case they com from behind, if I see them coming from a distance I can switch to a tighter choke.

My favorite rabbit guns are Savage 24’s. No need to use a shotgun if they are not moving and the 24’s are the easiest way to carry both an accurate rifle and shotgun.
Unfortunately my shotgun doesn’t have a selector. Just has a lever to open and safety.
 
I usually use a 28 gauge with I/C and Modified early in the season with 3/4oz of AA target 7.5 size shot for dove hunting. Your 20 gauge with good shells, not dove and quail promo shells, but AA/ Remington Premier target shells or hard shot game loads in 7.5 or 8 shot is what you need. I know Winchester made AA shells in 1oz 20 gauge for sporting clays at one time. Good hunting load, just slightly heavier payload than standard 7/8oz loads.

If you are having trouble hitting, go find a skeet or sporting clays range and invest some time behind the triggers.
 
Typically the bottom barrel is the most open choke. On most doubles there is a selector for which barrel fires first. Because of the recoil characteristics of an over under and the assumption that the first shot will be at a closer target the bottom barrel is generally fired first.
Another benefit of the bottom barrel firing first is that there's less muzzle rise from firing the bottom barrel and therefore the gun is a little quicker to get back on target.
For some reason, on SxS guns, I like double triggers, but on an O/U I like a selector. :)
 
A double 20 is just fine for rabbits. I like a pump or auto 12 gauge for doves. Mainly, because that is what I have. With the appropriate barrels and chokes, I also use the same guns for duck and turkey, and I can even use the pump for deer if I am restricted to a shotgun only area. I don't hunt doves enough to justify buying another gun for it.
 
I usually use a 28 gauge with I/C and Modified early in the season with 3/4oz of AA target 7.5 size shot for dove hunting. Your 20 gauge with good shells, not dove and quail promo shells, but AA/ Remington Premier target shells or hard shot game loads in 7.5 or 8 shot is what you need. I know Winchester made AA shells in 1oz 20 gauge for sporting clays at one time. Good hunting load, just slightly heavier payload than standard 7/8oz loads.

If you are having trouble hitting, go find a skeet or sporting clays range and invest some time behind the triggers.
I found 20ga 1oz #8 shot at Cabelas today. I will buy a couple boxes and find the proper chokes. Does choke brand matter? In my buddies auto loader he uses a IMP skeet choke I believe it is. I know its something like a hybrid.
 
I go back and forth between a .22 semi and a 20 ga O/U (Red Label) for rabbit.

For dove, if I'm on private property I'm taking my 20 ga Red Label, no questions asked. On public controlled hunts I switch back and forth between the 20 ga and my 12 GA 870. Either will do the job, but I have to be a little more selective on my shots with the 20 ga so it takes a little longer to limit out because there's SO MANY guys that blast at birds 70 yards away.

For both dove and rabbit, a full choke is my #1 and modified is #2 most of the time.
 
Honestly any of my shotguns would be fine for rabbit hunting or Dove hunting. The difference is the right choke and ammo choice for the task. A pattern board is your friend to find out what works best.
 
So every once in awhile (usually once a year) I get to wondering do I have the correct equipment? My buddy just got a rabbit dog and I see a lot of rabbit hunting in my future. I currently use a Stoeger Condor 20ga O/U with IMP and Mod chokes. Him and his crew all use Semi Auto 16ga or SXS shotguns.

I also recently started dove hunting and used my Mossberg 500 12ga. I couldn't hit squat with that thing as its always been more of a turkey/deer gun. I thought about taking the 20ga this year, but I don't think its got enough range for doves. I found an auction that has a Browning Maxus stalker for a bid of $400. I don't know if I would want to take a high end gun hunting though.

Any suggestions?

HUH? The range is the same - why would you think it wasn't? Anyone I know who dove hunts typically use a 410 or 28, maybe a few 20s; definitely no 12s - who needs your shoulder thumped from a 12 for a dove? Take a trip to Cordoba in Argentina - 95% or better all shoot 20s at the unlimited doves. Use the right choke if they are past 40 yards.

If the rabbits are holding close because of the dog, ICs are perfect; if they're running away fast because of the dog, Mods in both will be the ticket
 
Thanks everyone for the help. We have a trap/skeet range close by that I plan on utilizing. Upon doing some reading it says skeet chokes are good for doves, but a skeet choke is close to a Cylinder choke. I will be ordering some carlsons chokes soon. I know for sure I have a redhead brand full.
 
HUH? The range is the same - why would you think it wasn't? Anyone I know who dove hunts typically use a 410 or 28, maybe a few 20s; definitely no 12s - who needs your shoulder thumped from a 12 for a dove? Take a trip to Cordoba in Argentina - 95% or better all shoot 20s at the unlimited doves. Use the right choke if they are past 40 yards.

If the rabbits are holding close because of the dog, ICs are perfect; if they're running away fast because of the dog, Mods in both will be the ticket
I figured the 12ga would have more reach due to more powder/shot.
 
but I don't think its got enough range for doves.

I started both of my sons on a Savage 20ga single barrel break open. Once with my younger son he saw a dove crossing an open field he took aim, I started to say "kyle don't shoot. That bird is way out of..." BOOM. The bird went tumbling down. That was a 90 yard shot at least. One pellet went through the doves head. It is was a luck shot. But a 20 will kill them as far away as you can hit them.

I use either a 12 or a 20 both with modified chokes. I have no problem bagging doves with either gun. My biggest problem is I shoot low. I have to remember to raise the barrel a little and I get a hit every time.
 
Early in the season for dove, I generally have used a .410 shotgun with the 3" shells, and later on in the season, went up to a 20ga., for rabbits and squirrels I've generally used a .22LR. well lately I've come in contact with Chiappa survival rifle in the .22LR over a .410 shotgun (Note I've also got the same gun in .22WMR/.410) so in a bind I'd use that Chiappa O/U in the .22LR &.410. BTW I do have a repeater in the .410 as well as the .22LR and the .22WMR.
 
I took many rabbits with a 20ga pump gun in my mis guided youth. I use a 12 gauge sxs or 11/48 or a 16 gauge model 11 Remington. They all perform equally as well on dove, quail, or rabbits. On your stack barrel an open choke on the first shot is good with a full for the follow up shot. I have also taken a few limits of dove with a muzzle loader sxs shooting cylinder bore from both tubes.
 
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