So I might hunt Doves with my 10 gauge

I'm thinking about hunting Doves with my NA 10 gauge double. I really don't know where to start.

I will be using Pyrodex because I have about 5 lbs laying around that's not being used since I discovered real black powder.

I figure 7 1/2 or 8 shot will do well.

I have a homemade "card cutter" that I use to make cards from cereal boxes.

I've been reading about shot cups made from newspaper and they sound like they would work good, but I would like to have enough shot(cups) for around 25 shots.So is there a better option than the shot cups?

I've read alot about 12 gauge loads on the forum but not much about 10 gauge loads.So what would be my best load for Dove with the 10?

Prob Child,
Understand that I am not an expert, do have a little experience shooting the CVA 12 gauge caplock.
I would say that you can happily use up your pyrodex. I used a lot of it in the CVA. It flushes from your barrel easily. Always remove the barrels and flush with LOTS of water. That is what gets that perchloric acid out of the steel.
Just use a light twelve gauge load in your ten. It should pattern at least as well as in the ten possible better because the stack is a little shorter in the ten.
I have never used paper shot cups so someone else will need to answer that.
Have fun.
Volatpluvia

PC...I assume you will be shooting lead shot?
mic the bores--is there any choke?
make or buy several overpowder cards and wads..you will also need over shot cards.
The secret to a good pattern is to find the right balance of powder and wad or cards .to keep from doughnuting holes in your pattern.

swab between shots or lube the wads to keep the fowling soft enough to keep from blowing patterns. when pushing the shot column down your bore use a lubed patch attached to the rod..this helps with the fowling also.
the 10 ga. will work great..take your gun to the patterning board and find out what it likes..You won't regret it.

My only concern is the sub. powder and fowling between shots.

start--- 70-80 ff-goex
3 to 4 over shot cards(thin white)
1-11/8 oz 7 shot
1 over shot card

I used my Pedersoli 10g for everything, pheasant, woodcock, pidgeon and rabbit.

I just used cards and 1oz to 1 1/4oz of shot.

I only ever used pyro and never had a problem.

Just go and enjoy your self :thumbsup:

Brits

I would only add to this that the gun will shoot Cleaner over the course of a dove shoot, if you use a greased cleaning patch, and run it down AFTER you seat the OS card on top of the shot to lube the bore. The Grease will keep the residue softer, and make it much easier to wipe out out your barrel, to keep your patterns the same.

Also, the lube seems to keep leading from sticking to the barrel, even when you don't use a paper shot cup. If you shoot the lead shot without a cup, over a clean steel bore, lead from the outer pellets will leave streaks on the bore, that build with each shot fired, and destroy your patterns.

A 1&1/8oz load of shot in that 10 gauge should be adequate to hit dove out to 25 yds. Let them come in to your stand, and try to wait until the doves are inside 20 yards before shooting.

Dove can turn on a dime, and give you 9 cents back in change! Never forget that, and you will take a lot of dove.

The closer they are when you fire, the better your chance will be to kill them. Use #8 shot, unless its a very windy day. Then switch to #7 1/2 shot. The slightly larger shot will hold the pattern a bit longer, and drift with the wind slightly less out to 20 yds.

Using these loads, in a 12 gauge gun, I have taken dove cleanly out to 30 yds on passing shots.

I had a friend who chose to use only his .410 DB shotgun one year, dove hunting, and shooting only 1/2 oz. of shot, he picked his shots, kept them within 20 yards, and killed 63 doves consecutively, over several days, without a miss. I was with him on one of those days, and I don't think he fired a shot at a dove that was more than 15 yards away. That is Patience, and it obviously paid off.

Oh, Always be aware of the direction of any wind when shooting dove. If you find a dove flying into the wind, that is HOW he can turn and dip so abruptly. Taking a shot at those doves will be a lower percentage kill shot than if you wait for him to come around, and fly downwind when you take the shot. :hmm: Shooting at doves flying into the wind, so that you are surely going to be the victim of that " turn on a dime" maneuver, is a great way to learn not to take yourself too seriously. :shocked2: :rotf: :haha: :blah: :surrender: :hatsoff: That's part of the fun of going dove shooting with friends. :thumbsup: :wink: