I once owned a short ten LC Smith and handloaded for it, all the way down to one ounce. Never considered trying it on doves. I have so many other sub-gauge doubles that are more suited to dove shooting. My personal preference in shot size is 8s in the first two seasons, then 7 1/2s on the more mature, tough migratory birds. From 7/8 to 1 oz. of shot is all I've ever felt I needed, with enough choke, and I'll admit to liking tight chokes. Pattern density is what kills. One can achieve sufficient density with lighter payloads by going to tighter chokes. I'd never consider 1 1/4 oz. of shot for doves. Way too much overkill.
Milton, you'd love a 16 with one ounce of shot on late season doves. The DHE 16/20 with 32" barrels in both gauges, that I acquired late last year, is a dream come true on doves. I call it my "peanut field gun".
SRH
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Threaded Mode