now remember this is JMO, but #9 is too small a shot and won't carry enough energy at any distance over 40 yd's ( if that ) to kill and knock down a live bird. clay maybe, but not a dove with more wt and momentum than clay and feathers to soften the blow. I'll bet you were hitting them but causing no significant damage. try again with 7 1/2's or 6's if you think it's needed and I bet you'll limit out. and while youre at it spring for the high brass hunting loads. they may place shot size limits ( for group safety ) in a group hunt area so pellets won't travel as far or retain as much energy. but I'd bet it's the shot size, not your shooting that wasn't bringing them down. size does matter.and if shots are going to be long try the full choke.
Made a trip to Richloam WMA on Sunday to do a little bird hunting. I dont think the birds have made it down from the great white north yet. Had a great time just being in the woods and looking for places to hunt.
HAHA! Thanks for all the tips, I have a dove quota for saturday down in Punta Gorda, I will swing by the gun store and pick up some 7 1/2 magnums and see if that doesnt put a dent in them birds!
also which do you prefer lead shot or the new steel stuff? In know the tree-hugger crowd would like us all to be forced to use steel shot or not hunt at all. I have only used steel shot once at a skeet range that only allows steel stuff, which made my trip there a bit more expensive as I was forced to buy there ammo.
but it didnt seem to fly any differently from my gun than the lead?
all I ever owned was a mossy mdl 500 with 2 bbl's the first 12-13 years I hunted, no scope, and tripled on grouse, made my longest one shot kill on deer, all my best shots were with that gun and took every kind of game short of bear and elk with it.still maintain it's made from cheap alloy metal and plastic, but gets the job done. compare one side by side with a mdl 12 and see what real steel looks like.and forget the steel shot, get a hard plated lead pellet if you can,but reg 7 1/2's field loads should be fine.and tighten that choke up if birds are over 25 yd's.
2 3/4 or 3", 7 1/2 lead shot Mod or Imp choke and you will be fine.
