Gear Trend: Sub-Bore Ammo for Dove Hunting

A growing number of dove hunters are carrying sub-bore or sub-gauge guns afield every September.

Most of these “little shotguns” are light, quick and fully capable, without the weight, recoil and ammunition cost of their bigger cousins.

Yet they need to be fed with shotshells applicable to the dove field. Fortunately, there are plenty of options.

>>Must Read: Think Duck to Get Jump on Doves

Here are three options that will get the job done on opening day.

BROWNING Performance Target

There’s nothing more fitting to accompany Browning’s Citori Feather Superlight 16 than their 16-bore shotshells. Browning’s BPT (Browning Performance Target) 16-gauge target loads are a great match. Packing 1 ounce of No. 8 shot at 1,165 fps, these 2 3/4-inch shotshells are potent medicine for doves, pigeons and smaller upland birds. $10/25 rounds

REMINGTON American Clay & Field

The new American Clay & Field shotshells are available in all but 16 gauge. (Sorry, 16-gauge fans.) American Clay & Field offers a variety of dove-unfriendly loads ranging from 1 1/8-ounce No. 9s in a 12-bore format to lighter 7/8-ounce No. 7 1/2s in a 20 gauge. $8/25 rounds

FEDERAL PREMIUM Upland Steel

With more and more dove hunting opportunities becoming a game of non-toxic ammunition, it’s nice to have choices. Upland Steel offers dove hunters an excellent alternative to lead. These loads are available in 12- and 20-gauge, and in No. 6 and 7 1/2 shot. $8.95/25 rounds