More pellets with the 8's. I've killed doves @ 50yards where only a couple of 8's hit- seem okay. IMHO I think I've hit more with the 8's than 7 1/2's- which I used to use.

Early in the season, you'll find me with high base 9's.

8's in the .410 and 28. Whatever I happen to have in 20 and 12.

1 oz of #8 has the same pellet count as 1 1/8 of #7.5.

I prefer 7.5 though and 8 for skeet.

I prefer 7.5, but rolling with 8 this year because that's whats in inventory.

1-1/8oz 7-1/2

7/8 oz of 7 1/2 around 1200 fps out of a twenty is my preference for dove. If shooting store bought, it is usually Remington. I like the way their one piece hull reloads.

The main reason I posted was because I noticed stores stocking more 7-1/2 shot, interesting. I haven't been to many stores this year though.

The vast majority of the dove we shoot are white wings flying high on a flyway to crop fields. I swear by #6’s for the birds we shout but will shoot 7 & 1/2’s if I have to

I shoot a 20 or 16 for dove but I buy 7 1/2’s by the case and shoot anything that flys with them. 8’s make very little difference if they’re cheaper than 7 1/2’s.

7's for whitewings, 7.5 or 8's whatever I have for dove. Usually 7.5's unless they are out though.

I usually can’t even tell the difference

me either

I miss with both equally well.

I heard that.

I miss best with #6 so that is what I generally hunt with.

X2 More dropped birds

You really need to balance 3 things. The load weight, shot size, and FPS. If feet per second is 1200 or higher I shoot 1 1/8 of #8. If FPS is 1100 to 1200 I shoot 1 1/8 of #7.5. In late season the white wings tend to fly higher so I switch to high brass 1 1/4 of #6 at 1400 FPS. The #6 late season loads are expensive, but if you wear a thin shirt you won't shoot more than a box per hunt.

I knew someone would post, this and county every bb thats packed in. those shells! way too much time on your hands
there!

Bottom line, very little difference between the two! just shoot'em, doves dont care!




hunt safe....

#7.5 will travel a bit further for longer shots than a #8 size.

AA 7.5 shot. Burns clean and that’s what my gun likes best.

#6 tears up the breast too much, so I roll with 7.5s. Only use 8 shot when it’s the only thing available.

Thanks for bringing this up.

I was in the field yesterday for opening day. I had 10 opportunities and fired more than 20 shots, and Ive brought a few dove down.
including one that was feeding on the ground by my decoy.

However, when I went to retrieve, all would jump and fly away.
I couldnt understand what was going on.

I was shooting against these steady 20 knot winds with dove coming in at 30-40 yards.
I was using these Winchester 12 gauge rounds, 8 shot size, 1 oz.
I using a modified choke.

When shooting hours were over, I talked to another hunter who got himself 6 doves. He told me 8s never work for him and he suggested 6s.

Im still irritated of all the opportunities I had, and didnt get to bring home anything.