Magnum?
- Thread starter john917v
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sargenv
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Doubtful.
Most 3" loads are for either turkey or waterfowl, and 7.5 and 8's are useless for those kinds of birds. Unless you get someone to load them for you, you are out of luck. You may likely be able to find some 3" #6's meant for Turkey. That would be the smallest shot size I would imagine being available. Why do you want such small shot in a big case? It is unlikely they will allow you to shoot that thing at any clay target range.
Most 3" loads are for either turkey or waterfowl, and 7.5 and 8's are useless for those kinds of birds. Unless you get someone to load them for you, you are out of luck. You may likely be able to find some 3" #6's meant for Turkey. That would be the smallest shot size I would imagine being available. Why do you want such small shot in a big case? It is unlikely they will allow you to shoot that thing at any clay target range.
john- That's not how it works. #8 shot loses its velocity, and hence loses its already low energy pretty quickly once it's flying through the air. #7.5 is a tad better, but it still loses its oomph at the same range no matter how much of it you have. Air resistance is significant, momentum for a little pellet is minimal.
2 oz. of #8 shot at 75 yards wouldn't hit any harder than 1 oz., since the pellets hit the bird one at a time.
What you really want is 1 1/8 oz. of #6 through a Full choke. That will be effective at a longer range. Actually, if you shoot #6 from a 20 Gauge, it will be, also. Or even #5.
There's a problem with that, though. #8 at 80 yards is a minor annoyance, whereas #6 at 80 yards will mess up anyone it hits. I know someone who got hit in the face at 80 yards with #6; his brother fired the shot. He had a few pellets embedded in his face, and one almost took out his eye. It ended up embedded in his eyelid.
Therefore, shot over #7.5 is NOT a good idea if you're not alone out there (seldom the case when dove hunting here). #8 is a better idea, if the area is crowded with people.
2 oz. of #8 shot at 75 yards wouldn't hit any harder than 1 oz., since the pellets hit the bird one at a time.
What you really want is 1 1/8 oz. of #6 through a Full choke. That will be effective at a longer range. Actually, if you shoot #6 from a 20 Gauge, it will be, also. Or even #5.
There's a problem with that, though. #8 at 80 yards is a minor annoyance, whereas #6 at 80 yards will mess up anyone it hits. I know someone who got hit in the face at 80 yards with #6; his brother fired the shot. He had a few pellets embedded in his face, and one almost took out his eye. It ended up embedded in his eyelid.
Therefore, shot over #7.5 is NOT a good idea if you're not alone out there (seldom the case when dove hunting here). #8 is a better idea, if the area is crowded with people.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
For larger birds like pheasants, #5 shot will give the maximum effective range with enough penetration + pattern density.
#6 runs out of power before it runs out of pattern density.
#4 runs out of pattern density before it runs out of power.
But for far-off doves, you need to get closer.
Try to find a water-hole they use an set up by it, or build a blind in the "far-off" middle of where they are feeding!
3" Magnum dove loads are not the answer!
rcmodel
#6 runs out of power before it runs out of pattern density.
#4 runs out of pattern density before it runs out of power.
But for far-off doves, you need to get closer.
Try to find a water-hole they use an set up by it, or build a blind in the "far-off" middle of where they are feeding!
3" Magnum dove loads are not the answer!
rcmodel
sargenv
Member
#7 is kind of an oddball these days, though I guess at one time you could get it. Now I guess you can, that would give maximum pattern density but I'd be leary of using that small of shot for something like a Turkey (personal preference).
In most cases for far off doves, I usually use 7.5's launched at 1300 fps give or take. 3 1/4-1-7.5 makes 1290 fps and you still have a pretty good pattern. I would sometimes load 3 1/2 dram - 1 1/8 ounce with 7.5's that would make about 1300 fps. At one time I had a load that claimed 1400 fps. It utilized WIn AA hulls, 35 gr of Win 540, WAA12 wads, and a Winchester primer. It certainly kicked hard enough. It seems like you'd have a hard time shooting those 3" shells on Dove since well, the average is 10 shells per bird on average. I somehow manage to make it 5 or 6 per bird. So figure a minimum of 50 rounds of magnum loads.. I dunno bout you but I'd be pretty sore.
In most cases for far off doves, I usually use 7.5's launched at 1300 fps give or take. 3 1/4-1-7.5 makes 1290 fps and you still have a pretty good pattern. I would sometimes load 3 1/2 dram - 1 1/8 ounce with 7.5's that would make about 1300 fps. At one time I had a load that claimed 1400 fps. It utilized WIn AA hulls, 35 gr of Win 540, WAA12 wads, and a Winchester primer. It certainly kicked hard enough. It seems like you'd have a hard time shooting those 3" shells on Dove since well, the average is 10 shells per bird on average. I somehow manage to make it 5 or 6 per bird. So figure a minimum of 50 rounds of magnum loads.. I dunno bout you but I'd be pretty sore.
chas08
Member
Those were 3 dram equivalent on powder. Not 3 inch in length.
MCgunner
Member
Don't know about you, but 4 boxes of 2 3/4" dove loads on a 3 day weekend from anything, but my Winchester gas gun is enough for me. I probably would have to have my shoulder removed with 3" magnums, LOL! I have a 6 1/2 lb 12 gauge double I've put a few boxes through of 2 3/4" in a weekend and I know from where I speak. I accidentally slapped the rear trigger on a duck once, both barrels of 3" mag. They had to pick me up out of the marsh before I drowned. LOL!
I accidentally slapped the rear trigger on a duck once, both barrels of 3" mag. They had to pick me up out of the marsh before I drowned. LOL!Crazy Fingers
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If you're willing to open that wallet, try some Hevi-Shot #6. That stuff will carry foooooooooooorever. I have watched it kill ducks stone DEAD very easily at 60 yards.
Acera
Member
I can't tell you about the 71/2 and 8's but I have some 9's. So I don't know how the "experts" will react to this, but it's a factory load, and yes it's a magnum. Remington factory. I figured I have to include a picture to prove it. It's kinda like sending a trash can lid out at a clay pigeon
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MCgunner
Member
Wait'll I get that 10 gauge. Maybe a MEC reloader, some 7.5s in 3.5" 10 gauge. Dove hunting at 100 yards.
J/K.....of course.
J/K.....of course.
sargenv
Member
And I have to ask.. when did you purchase that one? I haven't seen 3"H magnums in a long time. I said it was unlikely.. not improbable
I don't mind being proven wrong, I just don't see the point.
I said it was unlikely.. not improbable I don't mind being proven wrong, I just don't see the point.
redneck2
Member
I've been hit with either 6's or 7 1/2's at maybe 80 yards. Long time ago and I don't remember the exact distance. He was shooting at a rabbit on the ground.
I knew the guy was going to shoot so I just turned and ducked my head. I was wearing a Carhart jacket. The pellets just bounced off my coat.
I could have been hit by one or one hundred. Wouldn't have made any difference. Small pellets lose a LOT of steam past 50-60 yards unless it's Hevi-Shot.
I knew the guy was going to shoot so I just turned and ducked my head. I was wearing a Carhart jacket. The pellets just bounced off my coat.
I could have been hit by one or one hundred. Wouldn't have made any difference. Small pellets lose a LOT of steam past 50-60 yards unless it's Hevi-Shot.
Acera
Member
sargenv I don't think it has been over 5 or 6 years. They had a couple of boxes on the shelf and I though, what the heck. They do leave an impression on your shoulder.
Just trying to help the OP in his quest, not a hardcore attack against you.
Just trying to help the OP in his quest, not a hardcore attack against you.
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