Texas Hunting Forum

28 gauge dove loads

Posted By: hawk

28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 11:58 AM

I've used a 20 gauge for dove hunting for years. Yesterday I picked up a 28 gauge. What are some of y'alls favorite loads for dove? I don't reload. Thanks!
Posted By: Sinkey

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 02:18 PM

This will be my first year using my 28 gauge. Been sitting in my safe for years. So, I have numerous boxes of Winchester AA 3/4oz. #7.5's. Those will work just fine. Im actually looking for RIO Game Loads in 1oz. #7.5. Similar to their 12g. Texas Heavy loads. But not having very good luck. I think Winchester makes a SuperX in the same size as the RIO.
Posted By: 68rustbucket

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 02:51 PM

I like the Winchester Super X for my Ruger Red Label. Leaves very little fouling in the barrels.
Posted By: syncerus

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 02:55 PM

Dare I suggest that you use whatever you can get? Not a lot of variety available these days.
Posted By: 68rustbucket

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 02:56 PM

Ain’t that the truth!
Posted By: hawk

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 03:14 PM

Walmart here has the Federal 3/4's load on the shelf pretty much anytime I go by the sporting goods counter. In addition Academy seems go keep 28 gauge as does my local shop. 20 & 12 is hard to come by.
Posted By: Sinkey

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by syncerus
Dare I suggest that you use whatever you can get? Not a lot of variety available these days.


No doubt! Sounds like it may be that way for steel shot this coming duck season too!
Posted By: Sinkey

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by 68rustbucket
I like the Winchester Super X for my Ruger Red Label. Leaves very little fouling in the barrels.


Im also shooting a Red Labe o/u 28. Id love to find the Super X 1 oz. shells.
Posted By: TXHOGSLAYER

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Sinkey
Originally Posted by syncerus
Dare I suggest that you use whatever you can get? Not a lot of variety available these days.


No doubt! Sounds like it may be that way for steel shot this coming duck season too!



Academy by my house has quite a bit in both 7.5 and 9
Posted By: Guy

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 08:22 PM

I hear Boss is pretty good. bolt
Posted By: OTL91

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/12/21 11:49 PM

I’m surprised the resident 28 gauge snob John Paul hasn’t chimed in!
Posted By: Dove Murderer

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/13/21 01:11 AM

I’ve since sold my 28’s, but when I used them I’d shoot the AA Super Sport loads in 7.5. Shoot the same in all other gauges.

Shells are the cheapest part of the hunt, I see no reason to skimp on them.
Posted By: RayB

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/13/21 01:30 AM

As of now my dove hunting will be in the south zone on my duck lease, so I loaded some non tox 6's just in case a teal happens to trespass my hide. also have 4's for the left barrel
Posted By: Huntmaster

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/13/21 03:30 AM

The best load, in my opinion, is the winchester sporting clay load, 1300 fps. 71/2 or 8. Walmart used to have them for $10. It’s a killer load.
Posted By: cleboje

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/13/21 11:49 AM

Winchester AA's are a premier load...why settle for anything less?
Posted By: DUKFVR

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/13/21 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Huntmaster
The best load, in my opinion, is the winchester sporting clay load, 1300 fps. 71/2 or 8. Walmart used to have them for $10. It’s a killer load.


My go to for doves. I had some Fiocchi golden pheasant loads one time. Copper plated 7 1/2s
Those would smoke a dove!
Posted By: glocker17

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/13/21 10:29 PM

I have tried the 1oz and the 3/4 oz just seemed like it hit better. Speed ? Pattern? not sure but I quit the 1oz. Your results may vary. Win AA at 1300 would be hard to beat.
Posted By: ntxtrapper

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/14/21 01:12 AM

I have been using AA's 3/4 #9 for many years. I hunt on a tank and I'm not pass shooting over a field so the 9's work out great with more pellets.
Posted By: hawk

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/14/21 01:14 AM

Thanks all. Picked up some AA's and some Federal. Will pattern this weekend.
Posted By: wal1809

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/14/21 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Sinkey
Originally Posted by 68rustbucket
I like the Winchester Super X for my Ruger Red Label. Leaves very little fouling in the barrels.


Im also shooting a Red Labe o/u 28. Id love to find the Super X 1 oz. shells.


In my opinion the Ruger RL 28 gauge is the finest shotgun out there, at least that I can afford. We shoot 3/4 oz in whatever we can find.
Posted By: 68rustbucket

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/14/21 02:53 PM

I’ve got a flat of these that I’ve been hoarding for a while
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Revoman

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/22/21 12:30 PM

Many years ago when I picked up my Gran Lightning 28 I also fell in to several cases of Rio 7.5’s. Love that stuff. But I also pick up some 28’s at WalMart when I can.
Posted By: Creek Henry

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/29/21 02:24 AM

I don't think I can afford 28 gauge ammo but besides a lighter gun, what's the advantage over a 20?
Posted By: RayB

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/29/21 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Creek Henry
I don't think I can afford 28 gauge ammo but besides a lighter gun, what's the advantage over a 20?

Nothing, they are just fun to shoot. Get a MEC reloader and roll your own. 28 GA shotguns made byTristar are cheap compared to the B's that will off set the shell price.
Posted By: Huntmaster

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/29/21 01:54 PM

You get one because; “you can”—if you shoot much, hitting a dove gets pretty easy. You keep trying to make it more of a challenge by reducing your advantage. 12 to 16 to 20 to 28 to 410 to moss burg 410 bolt. Part of that is just fun. In those small shotguns are guns that you don’t forget. Shooting a model 42 winchester 410, with doves coming to a tank, with your dad and grandad is hard to forget. Shooting a 28, no matter the cost(I will say the more expensive makes you feel better) is well worth it.
Posted By: tophorsecop

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/30/21 02:22 PM

Amen to using a Model 42 for doves...hunted a AZ waterhole with my family, brothers, nephews, friends, and stood shoulder to shoulder with my middle son,,,we traded the Model 42 and my Daly 28 O/U, back and forth...and still remember the times we each killed a different bird from the same flight...and of course my old lady black Lab Raelette, doing all the retrieving
Posted By: 68rustbucket

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 05/30/21 08:08 PM

When shooting 28 ga, I tend to take only makeable shots.
Posted By: browning66

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 06/21/21 11:38 AM

When hunting doves with a 28 3/4 ounce of #7.5 or #8 works well. The Winchester AA shells work great. It is puzzling why anyone want to shoot 1 ounce from their very fine 28 gauge shotgun. That defeats the purpose of shooting sub-gauge. You might as well shoot the trusty 12 gauge if you want to shoot 1 ounce loads. There is shear fun in learning to knock down birds with very light loads!
Posted By: 68rustbucket

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 06/21/21 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by browning66
When hunting doves with a 28 3/4 ounce of #7.5 or #8 works well. The Winchester AA shells work great. It is puzzling why anyone want to shoot 1 ounce from their very fine 28 gauge shotgun. That defeats the purpose of shooting sub-gauge. You might as well shoot the trusty 12 gauge if you want to shoot 1 ounce loads. There is shear fun in learning to knock down birds with very light loads!

Which version of the 3/4 oz AA do you use?
Posted By: Texan Til I Die

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 06/21/21 09:27 PM

Dang it, you guys need to let this thread die before I have to go out and buy a new shotgun. laugh
Posted By: colt45-90

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 06/21/21 09:35 PM

Royal Antiques in Lockhart has three boxes of winchester
Posted By: browning66

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 06/28/21 09:29 PM

Winchester AAHS 28 gauge #7.5 or #8's are my preferred shell and have been available at Academy Stores in the greater Austin area.
Posted By: Merican Duck Hunter

Re: 28 gauge dove loads - 07/11/21 08:58 PM

I like the federal 3/4oz in whatever shot size you can find
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