Would be the effectiveness of an 18 inch barrel for dive hunting? It's 12 gauge. I know this question sounds stupid but I may be going this weekend and don't have time to pick up an extra barrel. I'm only 14 yrs old and don't have enough money so far. So what do you think about this? I may just borrow one anyways though.
2007-09-06 11:03:00 · 8 answers · asked by auburnfootball 3 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
make that dove hunting
2007-09-06 11:39:39 · update #1
Can you borrow a shotgun from a friend or relative? If I were you thats what I would suggest. Heck , If you lived in Maryland and it was OK with your folks, I'd lend you one myself. I wish you luck and I'm sure it will be an experience either way .........
2007-09-06 13:19:42 · answer #1 · answered by JD 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it has a modified or tighter choke, it should work. The pattern won't spread a lot more than a longer barrel, and it won't lose a significant amount of velocity, despite popular opinion. What it will do is give you a poor sight radius, so you'll not aim nearly so well as with a longer barrel. If it fits you well and you're used to it, you may shoot it better than a borrowed gun that probably won't fit. When funds allow, I'd even suggest that a formal fitting by a pro might be a better investment than a second barrel. Of course, that's going to depend on your growth spurts, since your length of pull is likely to increase an inch or more in the next few years, and drop and even cast will alter some, as well.
2007-09-06 21:22:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless it's a turkey barrel with a full choke, you're a bit too loose to be reliable. Most 18" (including 18.5") tend to be cylinder bore for slugs, buckshot, and home defense....and those just don't constrict the shot enough to be reliable past close range. If one *had* to use a shorty open choke, your best bet would be some heavy handloads with 1 1/4-1 1/2oz of #7 1/2. In a shorty barrel, you'll really kick the dickens out of your shoulder, though. Sorta like swatting flies by throwing a bag of hammers at it.
No matter what length you end up with, go for a choke right around the middle of the chart ie improved cylinder up to improved modified. If you go more open than those, you need to either cut the range or up the shot load.
2007-09-06 20:35:03 · answer #3 · answered by randkl 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An 18 in. barrel would work fine if the doves broke into your house in the middle of the night, but in the field you'll want something at least 24in. preferably with somekind of choke. (It's that thing screwed to the muzzle of some shotguns. Check out your dads turkey gun)
2007-09-06 23:54:31 · answer #4 · answered by Lou T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it would probably not work great unless the doves are real close. I wouldnt recommend it but if you have to use it I would camo up good and wait for close up shots.
I would try to borrow another shotgun even if it was a 20 guage with a longer barrel.
Good Hunting
2007-09-06 18:36:53 · answer #5 · answered by Brandon 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm usually drinking a lot whenever I'm at the 'dives', so I don't bring along any firearms.
Oh, you meant DOVES!
18 is going to be short. Very short. Bring it along but then borrow a bird gun from your hosts.
Good luck and happy hunting!
2007-09-06 18:30:14 · answer #6 · answered by DJ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the choke. If it is full choke it will work, but with shorter range than the 26" barrel.
Try it, it might be too short range for doves, because they move fast.
2007-09-06 18:19:33 · answer #7 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it would work fine with Virginia deer and slugs, but dove hunting? no way.
2007-09-06 20:13:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋