If you convert the speed of the dove from mph to ft/s it gives you an idea. Say the bird is going 30 mph. Take that times 1.47 to convert it to ft/s. About 44 ft/s. Now the speed of a dove load is around 1150 ft/s. If the bird is out 30 yards that is 90 ft. Take 90 divided by 1150 to see how long it takes for the shot to get to the dove and you get about .078 seconds. Take that times the speed of the dove (44 ft/s) and you get about 3.5 ft. If you know the speed of the animal and projectile and the distance it's not to bad to figure lead. Of course make sure you swing through your shot after. It helps a lot.

 

Remember the most important thing about shooting birds, follow through on your swing shots. Most folks stop following through after squeezing the shot. Just like throwing a ball, casting a fly rod follow through all the way. leading is a tough question but the best I can tell you in teaching my kids how to hit skket is to follow through, it is a mental excercise. Plus just like everything else.........poise.... do not let it get you frustrated when you miss. take each shot one at a time.

you can certainly play with different choke patterns but 30 yds with a 12 ga you should be able to knock a dove down and IMHO the choke does not matter with these small fast targets, crows,ducks geese, turkey a different problem and choke plays a role.

Now get out there, keep a stiff upper lip and put some birds on the ground!!!!

 

Remember the most important thing about shooting birds, follow through on your swing shots. Most folks stop following through after squeezing the shot. Just like throwing a ball, casting a fly rod follow through all the way. leading is a tough question but the best I can tell you in teaching my kids how to hit skket is to follow through, it is a mental excercise. Plus just like everything else.........poise.... do not let it get you frustrated when you miss. take each shot one at a time.

you can certainly play with different choke patterns but 30 yds with a 12 ga you should be able to knock a dove down and IMHO the choke does not matter with these small fast targets, crows,ducks geese, turkey a different problem and choke plays a role.

Now get out there, keep a stiff upper lip and put some birds on the ground!!!!

What he said. If you stop and shoot you will miss on a cross shot because the shot is going to hit behind. I learn that the 1st time I went duck hunting and blown the hind end off a duck.
On my 20 guage from my perspective of my front bead is like I am aiming a 1/4 inch or so in front of the dove and I had very good luck wth that. I use winchester super x 2 3/4 3/4 ounce #7 steel mod choke

 

I would suggest that you shoot a few rounds of skeet or sporting clays to work this out. You should NOT be aiming your shotgun or measuring lead. Your focus should be on the target at all times, smooth gun moves to the target line, shoot as the gun touches your shoulder, follow through the shot. The only way to do this is through practice, and the skeet field or sporting clays range are places for that.

Most folks miss targets and birds by stopping the gun (see the post above by mrguvna) or simply underestimating how fast the target is moving. Either way your shot is behind the target. If you find yourself missing and are at a loss as to why... try to miss the next target in front. Chances are, you'll be back hitting 'em.

 

This is also my experience...misses are usually from too little, not too much. Sweep the muzzle through the bird's path, shoot with generous lead, and follow through. If you're still missing double your lead. Dove hunting can be a humbling experience

 

I think you had it right with the first shot. I always miss if I try to think about it. When I don't think, just swing, aim, and fire, get a lot more hits. Even with an 1100 with full choke and 30"barrel, I can hit 24 on the trap range. When I try to think about it I miss.

 

the only way I can answer this question in my case, is........

either not enough or too much :hmmmm:

 

Usually when I start stinking it up on the the dove field it is my technique. Watch your form. Generally I (eventually) notice I'm not keeping my head down or blowing my follow through. And try not to mix techniques. If point and shoot is working for you stick with it, if lead and follow through is working stay with that. Problem is on different days on the same field either may be the best for the pattern the doves are coming in on. And check your shotgun fit, it is very important, especially with the point and shoot method. Try some skeet or sporting clays and stick with it and it will "click" again.

 

Those darn critters dart everywhere. You have to get a fix quickly, or by the time you think about it, they are out of range or darted in a different direction. I gave up shooting pump action shotgun years ago; you tend to aim rather than point.

I use a 12ga full choke over/under and load of 8 shot with a 1350/fps charge. I have changed the firing sequence of the over/under. The lower barrel fires first, then the top. By doing this little change, I just drop the barrel point the bead about a barrel length in front and POW got one.


Now I use the 8 shot by 1350/fps hand load because the birds fly in higher after the first week or two. That load covers me throughout the dove or upland season in SC. I also went to an over/under because here in SC you can only bring 50 rounds on to public dove fields. With the over/under, I rarely shoot a second shot. Two rounds keep me from blasting away at birds that dart and move quickly out of range. Two rounds should do it, if not, better luck next time I say :biggrin:

 

Honestly,I don't even ponder such things.
I grew up with a shotgun in my hands, and have killed more winged critters than I could imagine.It becomes instinct with enough practice.
At the distances you are describing, no lead is necessary.Keep it simple.Put the bead on the beak and follow through.

 

I am an instinctive shooter. After 40 years of shooting clays, whether it was trap, skeet, sporting clays, the one factor beside focusing, swing and follow-through that made the difference was keeping my cheek glued to the stock. Lift your head away from the stock when you fire and you will miss every trip of the train.

I agree with a lot of you that one must focus on the target throughout, while mounting the gun, swinging, firing and following through but it is mandatory that your head is down on the comb so that your sighting down the barrel/rib is seamless. I don't worry about the speed of the bird or trying to establish lead but swing with enough speed to get through the bird and when I press the trigger, I usually make contact. If I lift my head even slightly, I usually miss. I rarely miss when in the field - but that comes with years of practice and more practice - it never ends.

Gr8artst

 

I get behind them with the front bead of the shotgun. Swing thru the bird and as I pass the bird I fire and continue to follow thru. That works for me in passing doves. Head on and flying away I cover the bird with the sight and more or less point shot.

 

35remshooter, there is alot of good advice on here from everyone. But really you have to find what really works for you. And practice. Heck I hunt crows year round to keep in practice for game birds and plus crows are tasty with the right recipe

 

MJ

I have never eaten a real crow but with many employees a wife and two kids I eat the proverbial crow daily. :biggrin: seriously great advice here on shooting birds on the move. i guess I alwas teach to follow through first but another mention to ensureing you have a good cheek weld on your stock is critical!!! i can shoot any shotgun even though I have gorilla arms because I focus on the cheek weld and not the shoulder mount as my daughters youth stock mossberg 500 never touches my shoulder. I have a citori that is just the sweetest bird gun I have ever shot because I can get my cheek on the stock (and actually is against my shoulder) and swing with very little effort. Great advice on this thread, come on down this way I I will throw skeet till your tired of shootin but betcha I can get you hittin'em. I have taught many a shooter how to shoot skeet and get pretty good. It is an activity that my whole family enjoys.................

 

35..all good advice from others, particularly your "head".
I would add using the most open choke you have and USE #9 shot.

 

All you need to consider is already stated above.
Bottom line is that either your not leading enough or you stop when you pull the trigger or your ammo is anemic....That's MY favorite excuse.
1. lead more than you think you need.
2. follow though.. long barrels help (Marlin goose guns with 36" barrels are a HOOT and slow to swing, but you WILL follow though)
3. Use good ammo... The econo ammo poop sold for dove loads is really whimpy. I can't tell you have many eurasians and whitewings I SMOKED the last 5 years with three shots only to have them never miss a wingbeat. And forget using an 1100. These rounds with #8 or #7 1/2 shot don't have umph to even work the action reliably... The cure? just about any brand #6 shot.
I just used my pheasant reloads and limited out in half an hour.. no cripples, none lost.

This year I honored the passing of an Army aviator friend by using his Ruger Red Label 20. Opening morning, I burned two boxes of #8s, and had many birds blown naked, but not one in the bag...frustrated, I changed to shells which were loaded with #6, and was limited out in less than half an hour...BIG difference!!!

The West Texas Desert isn't always productive, but when it is, OOoooWHEEEEeeeee!!!!
And a couple of the MOJO decoys were a hoot just to watch 'em work... birds would often simply do a U-turn and land next to 'em!

 

I shoot a Nova pump with a Kicks modified choke, with #8's. I keep a sustained lead on the bird of about 3 ft, follow through after the shot, never had a problem. I get out throughout the year and practice on pigeons.

 

What Highhawk said. When I start aiming, i start missing. Type of gun is not a great issue, but only if they fit. My '63 Browning Superposed Lightning Gd III choked M/IC ,is my go to bird gun. The drop, length, and cast fit me perfectly. My Benelli Montefeltro, and my Remington 870, both screw in choked, stocks are set with the identical drop, length, and cast. I can switch between guns and never miss a beat.

I do agree with the poster who shoots O/U for dove. Any third shot is usually a waste. I really like the idea of the old Browning Double Automatic (two shooter only) in the lightest version. Because part of the mechanism is in the butt, there can be no cast off added. I'm a wide body and need cast.

Last season, I broke out a minty Winchester Model 42 (.410 choked Mod.) and used hard target 8.5 shot. I don't recall having as much fun shooting dove in years.