I have not shot “tens of thousands of doves” but I have spent a fair amount of time shooting them in Argentina as well as in the US. At times shooting well over 1000 per day.
I’ve also shot a lot of pigeons, both barn pigeons, wood pigeons and whatever they have in central and South America.
I’ve also shot huge numbers of starlings, crows and grackles.
I completely agree about high and ultra high velocity. It’s detrimental to patterns, detrimental to guns, detrimental to hearing and detrimental to the shooter’s well being. Utterly nothing to recommend it.
I enjoy long range shooting with a tightly choked 12 bore. Not at all opposed to 1 1/8 oz or even 1 1/4 oz hard #6 or 7 shot. Velocity about 1180 to 1200 FPS.
In July I spent a few days shooting wood pigeons with a 12 bore 32” Purdey pigeon gun. The standard load in the UK is 1 1/16 oz #5 which is equivalent to a US #6. Velocity was unmarked but modest. I’d guess just 1200 FPS. I shot 3 pigeons dead in air with 3 consecutive shots They were crossing a rock wall just beyond a gate. The guide was the Scottish National sporting Clays champion. He came out with a laser and ranged the gate at 85 yards. The pigeons were 5-10 yards beyond it. Choke in the left barrel is .046. I don’t think those patterns would have held together at 1400 FPS. Probably some luck involved yet a decent pattern must have been part of it.
I’m not opposed to shooting a tightly choked 20 bore at doves but see no need for velocity over 1220 FPS. The further you are shooting the less velocity you want.
Last edited by Richard Hale; 08/03/26 09:02 AM.
