I know there are different chokes shot size & gage's I have seen guy's that it seams if they can see it it in range.Maybe it is more of a personal choice or skill but I would like to get over-all best guess on real range (not the I have extra shells to shoot anyway range)For me normal max 35 to 45 yards I shoot 12ga. ic. #8 shot I like to know is that limiting my gun range or is that more near the outside edge of of a good shot?

When I'm shooting 8 shot I try and keep them in a little closer... probably wont shoot at anything over 75-80 yards or so. I normally start off with an 8 in the barrel... followed up by a 7.5 first out of the magazine... and then a 6, next a 4, and finally a "finisher" round of T or F shot. Keeps me in the game out to about 120 yards or so.

30 to 40 yards or so...no sky busting the whitewings

the best is when they sit on the power lines... you can line several of the up at a time

Seriously Moe... I think that is about all you could get out of 8's. Usually I will shoot 8's if I am hunting over a stock tank on an evening hunt and they are coming right to me.

Try this just one time and let us know what happens.... only take out #6 shot when you hunt one day out of the season. A lot of quail hunt clubs make that mandatory now b/c they were having too many wounded birds. I bet you have way more "clean" kills and it will also allow you to reach out a little farther.

I've switched to #6 hi brass as well for dove.. originally picked these up as they were on clearance but liked the way that they cleanly folded birds...

Would a tighter choke do better

like 40+ I always use #6's that way if the white wings show or a long shot at a pigeon im good . I even took down some with #2 steel last year during an early teal hunt

I like to shoot # 7 1/2

They seem to do better than the #8's...

AS for range...there is no range...on dove...if you see them shoot at them!!!!!!

J.J.

Dove Hunting:

Skybusting encouraged!!!

Get it out of your system before duck season.

Agreed!!!

Given that the drop of a standard field load (1 1/8th oz @ 1165) of #8s is: 1.9"@30yrds, 4"@40yrds, 7.2"@50yrds & 11.8"@60 yards

It gets pretty hard to hit anything in the dense part of the pattern much beyond 40 yards. That's not to say that it doesn't happen. Everyone has those days, months or strings where they can't seem to miss. (I wish that's how my year was going this year.)

I'm a big fan of #6s in the cheap stuff or preferably 7.5s in the harder shot & higher quality loads.

40 yards max

Great answer, better loads will yield more birds.... above 40 is spraying and praying for most of us

I'll reach out and touch em at 60 yards sometimes. I love those long shots that connect.

Shoot at anything you feel comfortable with. In comparison lead is so much cheaper use it as a tune up and enjoy.

as a novice, I like 30-40yds

I do too, but sometimes they are hard to find after they go down..

Loads make a huge difference. I stay away from Walmart Winchester loads,paper wads. Cant hit squat with them. I shoot 7 1/2 with a mod. choke and keep it under 60 yrds

Using #6 shot late in the season I have measure just over 50 yrds .