need a dove gun - The Firearms Forum

jedwil · 08-12-2012, 09:35 PM

I'm a short guy and want a dove gun. I am a pump guy and am biased to an 870 youth. Any input appreciated.

hstout1143 · 08-12-2012, 10:31 PM

Great choice, I have a Mossberg 500® Bantam youth that's a blast to shoot. It's been used for dove for many years without a hiccup. It's also seen a thousand rounds thru it while shooting sporting clays. It's chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" and it's less than $300.

CHW2021 · 08-13-2012, 08:29 AM

If you want to look at a over/under I believe that Stoeger's condor series had a model with an adjustable stock (don't recall if it was just the comb) that was very well priced.
Otherwise, you can't go wrong with either of the above guns.

Spend a bit of time patterning your (new) guns with some of the different make shells; individual results really do vary.

gunship · 08-13-2012, 09:52 AM

How about a nice Winchester model 12. I'm not a dove hunter but maybe a 20 gauge or a nice Browning model 12 in 28 gauge. I have several model 12's which are great pump shotguns.

jstgsn · 08-14-2012, 08:23 AM

I just bought a Remington 11-87 in 20 guage. 26 " barrell and full real tree camo. Can't wait for dove season. :-)

If you get a chance pick one up and see how it feels to you.

cycloneman · 08-14-2012, 12:14 PM

Stoeger Mdl 2000 in 12 gage auto loader 28" bbl, comes with chokes, you can even find it camo. Very impressed for a 450 - 499shotgun.

lonewolf204 · 08-14-2012, 03:03 PM

The 870 is a fine choice!

aa1911 · 08-14-2012, 03:11 PM

+1 for the 870 ! My personal favorite, that's why I own three of them... two are wingmasters, one newer express. Fantastic shotgun for anything; I even shoot skeet with my 870, nothing else. (except .410 or 28)

jedwil · 08-14-2012, 04:33 PM

Thanks for the responses.

Sandman · 08-17-2012, 11:06 AM

If that is what you want, go for it. 870 is a good shotgun. Personally, I would go with a 20 ga. (or smaller if available) for a dove gun.

gun runner · 08-17-2012, 02:38 PM

Forget about pump shotguns. Instead go with a semi automatic benelli 12 gauge. I do believe they make them.

jedwil · 09-09-2012, 02:10 PM

Picked up an 870 Express Camo Turkey today. Just need to get a modified choke and I'll be good to go. Barrel length and LOP suit me very well.

aa1911 · 09-10-2012, 12:59 AM

good deal, there's a reason the 870 is one of the most popular shotguns! because it's awesome... never cared much for autos, they jam (even if only occasionally); especially with 7/8 oz loads. pump will eat anything you throw at it.

remchokes are cheap and work great, don't write off Hastings and some of the other extended tubes too though. I hate having to use a choke wrench.

Now go buy a whole bunch of Remington STS shells and once you've fired them, send the hulls to me

JLA · 09-10-2012, 08:47 PM

Excellent choice John. Becks got one in the safe. Its been a workhorse 20 ga for over 10 years now.

68c15 · 09-16-2012, 06:31 AM

my boy and I both use 870 12g's while the neighbor kid has a 500 12g. the other day I was at scheels and was checking out a used Benelli SBE 12g. it felt shorter for me but made thinking it may be good for late season geese with all the heavy clothing

GunNut89 · 09-18-2012, 06:23 AM

870 all the way

one shot hunter · 09-23-2012, 07:00 PM

Ithaca 37 in 20 or 28 gauge would be my choice

sting75ray · 09-23-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunship

How about a nice Winchester model 12. I'm not a dove hunter but maybe a 20 gauge or a nice Browning model 12 in 28 gauge. I have several model 12's which are great pump shotguns.

I agree 100% the Model 12 is the best pump ever made.

Brisk44 · 09-23-2012, 08:45 PM

I have a sweet little Mossberg .410 pump that knocks every dove it's pointed at out of the sky. It's really all you need for dove.

cpttango30 · 09-25-2012, 11:41 AM

My Model 12 with out cycle any pump on the market. That sucker is just plan SLICK.

08-12-2012, 09:35 PM	#1
jedwil Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Hill Country Contributor Posts: 1,926	need a dove gun I'm a short guy and want a dove gun. I am a pump guy and am biased to an 870 youth. Any input appreciated. __________________ "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom." -- John F. Kennedy -->

08-12-2012, 10:31 PM	#2
hstout1143 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: California Contributor Posts: 1,743	Re: need a dove gun Great choice, I have a Mossberg 500® Bantam youth that's a blast to shoot. It's been used for dove for many years without a hiccup. It's also seen a thousand rounds thru it while shooting sporting clays. It's chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" and it's less than $300. __________________ NRA Life Member Kids that hunt and fish don't mug old ladies. "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." - Ronald Reagan "Deo Duce, Ferro Comitante", With God as my leader and my sword as my companion Last edited by hstout1143; 08-12-2012 at 11:02 PM..

08-13-2012, 08:29 AM	#3
CHW2021 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 467	Re: need a dove gun If you want to look at a over/under I believe that Stoeger's condor series had a model with an adjustable stock (don't recall if it was just the comb) that was very well priced. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with either of the above guns. Spend a bit of time patterning your (new) guns with some of the different make shells; individual results really do vary.

08-13-2012, 09:52 AM	#4
gunship Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 34	Re: need a dove gun How about a nice Winchester model 12. I'm not a dove hunter but maybe a 20 gauge or a nice Browning model 12 in 28 gauge. I have several model 12's which are great pump shotguns.

08-14-2012, 08:23 AM	#5
jstgsn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milford, Delaware Contributor Posts: 1,277	Re: need a dove gun I just bought a Remington 11-87 in 20 guage. 26 " barrell and full real tree camo. Can't wait for dove season. :-) If you get a chance pick one up and see how it feels to you. __________________ Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he will just kill you.

08-14-2012, 12:14 PM	#6
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,407	Re: need a dove gun Stoeger Mdl 2000 in 12 gage auto loader 28" bbl, comes with chokes, you can even find it camo. Very impressed for a 450 - 499shotgun. __________________ Who are you going to serve today? Last edited by cycloneman; 08-14-2012 at 12:15 PM..

08-14-2012, 03:03 PM	#7
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 792	Re: need a dove gun The 870 is a fine choice! __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

08-14-2012, 03:11 PM	#8
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,115	Re: need a dove gun +1 for the 870 ! My personal favorite, that's why I own three of them... two are wingmasters, one newer express. Fantastic shotgun for anything; I even shoot skeet with my 870, nothing else. (except .410 or 28) __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

08-14-2012, 04:33 PM	#9
jedwil Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Hill Country Contributor Posts: 1,926	Re: need a dove gun Thanks for the responses. __________________ "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom." -- John F. Kennedy

08-17-2012, 11:06 AM	#10
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Re: need a dove gun If that is what you want, go for it. 870 is a good shotgun. Personally, I would go with a 20 ga. (or smaller if available) for a dove gun.

08-17-2012, 02:38 PM	#11
gun runner Former Guest Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Texas Contributor Posts: 1,871	Re: need a dove gun Forget about pump shotguns. Instead go with a semi automatic benelli 12 gauge. I do believe they make them.

09-09-2012, 02:10 PM	#12
jedwil Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Hill Country Contributor Posts: 1,926	Re: need a dove gun Picked up an 870 Express Camo Turkey today. Just need to get a modified choke and I'll be good to go. Barrel length and LOP suit me very well. __________________ "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom." -- John F. Kennedy

09-10-2012, 12:59 AM	#13
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,115	Re: need a dove gun good deal, there's a reason the 870 is one of the most popular shotguns! because it's awesome... never cared much for autos, they jam (even if only occasionally); especially with 7/8 oz loads. pump will eat anything you throw at it. remchokes are cheap and work great, don't write off Hastings and some of the other extended tubes too though. I hate having to use a choke wrench. Now go buy a whole bunch of Remington STS shells and once you've fired them, send the hulls to me __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

09-10-2012, 08:47 PM	#14
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,321	Re: need a dove gun Excellent choice John. Becks got one in the safe. Its been a workhorse 20 ga for over 10 years now. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-16-2012, 06:31 AM	#15
68c15 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,069	Re: need a dove gun my boy and I both use 870 12g's while the neighbor kid has a 500 12g. the other day I was at scheels and was checking out a used Benelli SBE 12g. it felt shorter for me but made thinking it may be good for late season geese with all the heavy clothing __________________ I'll go defenseless when our leaders do the same

09-18-2012, 06:23 AM	#16
GunNut89 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 339	Re: need a dove gun 870 all the way

09-23-2012, 07:00 PM	#17
one shot hunter Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4	Re: need a dove gun Ithaca 37 in 20 or 28 gauge would be my choice

09-23-2012, 08:45 PM	#19
Brisk44 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,747	Re: need a dove gun I have a sweet little Mossberg .410 pump that knocks every dove it's pointed at out of the sky. It's really all you need for dove.

09-25-2012, 11:41 AM	#20
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: need a dove gun My Model 12 with out cycle any pump on the market. That sucker is just plan SLICK.