This year's dove gun choice

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Gonna use one of these 3 this year:

1. Stevens 512 Goldwing O/U, 28 ga, 26"

2. CZ / Huglu Durango SxS, 20 ga, 20" (short gun)

3. Franchi 48AL, 20 ga, 24"

I'm leaning toward the 28 gauge O/U (Stevens), but considering the other 2 as well. Not gonna hike very far at all, so weight is not a big issue. Like the idea of an open choke in 1 bbl, and a full choke in the 2nd, for those long shots. After the 1st weekend, they tend to fly quite high. I think I'll be able to hit better with the longer guns.

 

[oneounceload]

What?? No FAMARS Dove Gun??????

They're available in 20 or 28 and a 20/28 combo........just a mere pittance starting at about $18,400.............
(see page 21 of the current Shooting Sportsman)

 

[ArmedBear]

3-shot limit pretty much takes a semiauto out of the running for me. 2 chokes win.

I'd go with the 28, unless it's really hard to switch barrels.

Not sure I'd go with open/tight. IC/M has not been any problem for me at any range where doves can reasonably be shot.

 

[kentucky_smith]

I'd go with #3 just because it isn't made in Turkey and would hold up to use. The short gun won't swing well on doves.

I'll be carrying a Light 20.

 

[jhco]

For me it has always been and will always be a browning double auto. I usually use the aircraft aluminum receiver version. 28'' Hastings vent rib barrel.

 

[BENELLIMONTE]

Dr Tad',
What loads are you going to use?

Thanks BENELLI'

 

[RetiredLawman]

There is only one choice here: The Franchi 48 20 gauge. I've been using one almost 50 years with no problems at all. Put a plug in it and you have a three shot legal gun that will outlive you.

Try to buy an older model 48 that was built before 1998, when Beretta bought Luigi Franchi. Those older guns had quality built into them. I'm not familiar with the 48s built in the last ten years since Beretta started building them. I think they are OK but I know the Luigi Franchi 48s are among the best upland guns ever made.

I'm not ready to try my luck with a Turkish built double. For the same or less money, you can buy a good used Luigi Franchi 48 that will do you proud. It has been tried and trusted since 1948.

 

[RetiredLawman]

I forgot to add that I love the 24" barrels on the Franchi 48. That gun will be the best investment you'll ever make, IMO. The 24" barrel is very versatile, especially if you are shooting from a blind, as most of us dove hunters do.

 

[chas08]

With the generous 15 bird limit we enjoy here, I'd just shoot five birds with each of them.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Go with the SxS!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Hee hee. I need to pick one and go shoot some clays for practice. Think I'll try the 28 ga O/U first to see how I am hitting with it.


Oh brother.... yeah, I'm sure any turkish made gun will just crap out on the 3rd shot, without a doubt - but I ain't too concerned about it. It's just doves, and it's a 20 minute drive from my house where I hunt them.

 

[kentucky_smith]

I'm sure any turkish made gun will just crap out on the 3rd shot

If it fires at all, if the barrels are regulated correctly, if the safety doesn't fail, the sst doesn't crap out,...

 

[MCgunner]

Which gun fits you the best and balances the best in your hands?

 

[ArmedBear]

Put a plug in it and you have a three shot legal gun that will outlive you.

Legality isn't the point.

One choke and a gun that dances a jig every time you pull the trigger don't do it for me.

5 shots and a very light weight gun for chukar? I'll deal with the downsides.

3 shots? No reason to.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

If it fires at all, if the barrels are regulated correctly, if the safety doesn't fail, the sst doesn't crap out.

I think you may be confusing early turkish guns with the tens of thousands now made and sold every year on very modern cad/cam equipment/tooling. They've come a long ways, in my understanding. We shall see, however.

The Stevens O/U and the Franchi 48 balance and feel about the same; that is, both very good. I've not shot either yet. Not sure what load yet. This Sunday I plan to shoot both the Stevens and the Franchi for the first time. Both essentially brand new. Last year used that SxS and a Win 1400 with mixed results (not a good hit %, but that's me more than the gun, obviously).

 

[ArmedBear]

Of course, you could just do what it seems like everyone else does.

Dove opener instructions:
1. Shoot a big 12 Gauge semiauto with a mix of last year's duck loads, bulk birdshot rounds, etc. Bring at least 10 boxes and make sure you use them all.
2. Don't plug your gun until you see the Game Warden's truck.
3. Shoot anything that flies. Bats, dragonflies, sparrows, whatever. They're all doves today!
4. Bring a kid, to go through the thorny brush and swim across dangerous ag canals to get your "doves".
5. Drink beer, especially if it's over 100 degrees out. Do NOT bring water.
6. Get arrested.

 

[TomADC]

Most doves I've ever hot in a day was with my old B C Miruku made Charles Daly 20 gage skeet gun, opening day doves were close, filled my limit plus a few more that day, every one else had full choke 12 ga.
But were I to do it today, I'd shoot my SKB 505 28ga, IC & Mod. chokes installed.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Dove opener instructions:
1. Shoot a big 12 Gauge semiauto with a mix of last year's duck loads, bulk birdshot rounds, etc. Bring at least 10 boxes and make sure you use them all.
2. Don't plug your gun until you see the Game Warden's truck.
3. Shoot anything that flies. Bats, dragonflies, sparrows, whatever. They're all doves today!
4. Bring a kid, to go through the thorny brush and swim across dangerous ag canals to get your "doves".
5. Drink beer, especially if it's over 100 degrees out. Do NOT bring water.
6. Get arrested.

Good times, good times.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Last year I used my Beretta Al390, 12 ga, 1 1/8 oz #7 1/2 shot dove loads. Improved Cylinder choke. Limited out on opening day. Got about half a limit on a couple of more occasions, and limited out on closing day. Believe me when I tell you that on closing day they weren't flying low and slow.

I agree that 3 rounds are pretty useless. I will also admit that I have on a couple of occasions fired all three, but never with success.

As has been reiterated on this board many times "It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian."

Use what you shoot well. If you do your part any of the guns listed ought to "Git R Done".

 

[MCgunner]

(not a good hit %, but that's me more than the gun, obviously).

Obviously...LOL! Yeah, I like to blame the gun once in a while, myself.:banghead:

I think Armedbear might be shooting for honorary Texan. His instructions do sound familiar.

 

[Snarlingiron]

They're all doves today!

Yeah, it is with a red face that I admit that a few times I have brought down a poor non dove. There was one that we couldn't identify. Probably the last of its species.

When you get into them where they are plentiful and flying every which way it is a pretty easy mistake to make. Not something I would ever do intentionally, but it happens.

I also admit to popping off the occasional round at a dragonfly. That, however, is boredom when nothing else is flying.

 

[JWF III]

No AyA side by sides? Where's the fun in picking from a list of real world guns?

Psst...(I'll be toting my 26" 48AL Deluxe)

Wyman

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Shoot anything that flies. Bats, dragonflies, sparrows, whatever. They're all doves today!

I'm takin' the 5th!

'Sides, those dragonflies ain't exactly easy to hit (or so I hear). One time a small hawk or falcon swooped in at my dove mojo decoy trying to "catch" it. Instinctively I aimed & shot. Thank all that is holy I missed the hawk. It dawned on my just as I was pulling the trigger that "hey that thing's too big; don't shoot", but the wheels were in motion and the trigger was pulled. (Hey, just TRY and guess what a chicken-hawk tastes like? )


What shot for 28 ga double with IC/Mod - 6, 7, 7.5, or 8?

I may go with IC/Mod-Full, or even IC-Mod/Mod-Full, if I have those 'tweener choke tubes - can't remember.

RetiredLawman, thanks for all the info about the Franchi 48 AL. Mine is a brand new 2009 model - got it last week.

 

[MCgunner]

Is the 12 enough gun for dragon flies?

 

[oneounceload]

Shoot anything that flies. Bats, dragonflies, sparrows, whatever. They're all doves today!

Try shooting moths at night under the lights like we did at a fun night league - point blank and those suckers still managed to fly intro the darkness..........