re: Best Dove Load

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Or the more likely reason is you just shot better the second day, as is the case with everyone.

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That could explain a bird or two, but it doesn’t explain the ammo difference.

There’s actually been a peer-reviewed study on dove loads. The takeaway was pretty simple: once the pellets have enough energy to kill the bird, pattern density is a huge factor. More pellets in the pattern means more pellets hitting the bird and a better chance of hitting something vital.

A 1¼ oz load of #8s has roughly 25% more pellets than a 1 oz load of #8s. That’s not an opinion, and I didn’t magically become a better shot because I opened a different box of shells.

High brass itself isn’t some magic dove killer. It’s the heavier/better load that matters. If one shell throws a denser, more consistent pattern, it can absolutely turn a bird that gets feathered and keeps flying into one that hits the ground dead.

But sure, I guess the scientists could’ve saved themselves the trouble and just written, “You shot better the second day.”