|
| |
Other Shooting
Articles here
Dovely,
Just Dovely
Just when we thought Summer would never end dove
season creeps in on the horizon. September
1st is coming up quick and that
just fired shotgun shell smell will soon be filling our senses. In shooting the gray ghost of the desert there are a few
things to keep in mind.
First, which scatter gun is the best? The
great thing about dove hunting is that just about any shotgun you have will do.
From .410s to .10 gauges all will work out there.
Find a shotgun that you are comfortable with and practice swinging it at
home in the living room. Of course
make double sure it’s EMPTY! If
you had problems with your shotgun last year and it has not been fixed yet, too
bad. There is not enough time to
have a competent gunsmith fix it now. Hey
wait, that’s good news! Now you
have an excuse to go out and buy that new one you have been wanting. If this works, let me know and then I will try it.
Second, there is only one problem with most shotguns, they are controlled by
their chokes. In the old days of
paper/cardboard spacers or wads you needed a tighter choke.
With the newer plastic shot cups, patterns are ‘naturally’ tighter
for all chokes. Whether you have an
open choke like skeet or a tight one like full, it may not be a problem.
The secret to fun dove shooting can be had by matching your shotgun’s
choke to how it is used. If you
have an open choke try to find roosting areas like orchards or tree lines and
catch the dove coming out in the early morning light.
If modified is stamped on your barrel or screw-in-choke then look for the
‘average’ type of shooting. Modified
chokes work well in a more open type of shooting, such as at the end of the
agricultural fields where shots are from 20 to 40 yards.
Full appears on some fixed choked shotguns but do not be dismayed.
With tight chokes it is necessary to move to specific areas where longer
shots are the average. You can help yourself by using a smaller size shot, like
eight or nine. Check out the wide
variety of factory loads to broaden the horizons of your shotgun.
Third, warning, warning…bargain basement shells can turn any good shotgun into
a worthless piece of trash. Watch
out for the ‘cheap’ shells gimmick because most of the time that is what it
is. When you are out buying this
season’s ammo take the time to read the information in the top of the box.
It will make you or break you. The
first thing to look for is the dram equivalent (or dram eq.).
The average good load should say 3 to 3 ¼ drams, for a twelve gauge.
Where the bargain load gets you is in putting less powder in each shell
(2 ½ - 2 ¾ dram) which in turn means that the payload is slower, so you miss
more. Then to add insult to injury
the ammo manufactures put less shot in each shell.
Now where as before your shells had 1 1/8 to 1 ¼ ounce of shot now only
has ¾, 7/8 or one ounce. The
pattern or coverage you had is gone and is only sparse at best.
See you were right. It’s
those stupid shells that are making you miss.
Let’s look at a practical formula. Since
we are all practical you can shoot ten dove for a daily limit.
With the cheap loads it takes you about two tot three boxes of shells.
But if you buy a premium loaded ammunition for a little bit more you
achieve your limit in one to two boxes of shells. You saved money (for that new shotgun). Sadly, if your a trigger maniac then go for the cheap stuff,
but I don’t want to hear anything about your shoulder being sore.
Fourth is SAFETY. Wear a hunter
orange hat or vest. If you pull up
to your favorite dove hunting spot and it looks like the parking lot of a ball
game, move on. Be the honorable
sportsman, no should-to-shoulder shooting, pack it up and find a nice safe quiet
place if possible. It’s supposed
to be a relaxing, enjoyable morning with family and/or friends.
As the Shooting Editor of AZOD.com I would like to lay a shooting challenge at
the feet of AZOD’s Hunting Editor, Louis.
Loser buys ‘my’ breakfast, hmmm Mr. Hunting type person?
Gary McCraw
AZOD Shooting Editor
Shooting@azod.com
| |
|