First dove hunt with the new (to me) 686 28ga

[berettafan]

True baby frame gun. LOVE it. Came home with it a week ago after visiting a local shop looking for a 20ga Franchi o/u. lightly used but without a single mark or ding on it. 26" bbls which was not my preference (would rather have 28") but for $200 less than a new one I am happy. didn't notice a difference in swing in the store with the same gun in a 28" bbl.

Put 3 boxes of shells through it on clays last week then took it Friday to the dove field. Very first bird dumped on the very first shot. paced 45 yds from my bucket. Say what?! IC choke, 3/4oz of AA 7 1/2's.

Felt like I was the man.

Missed the next six shots.

Turns out I'm still the same lousy shot on dove.

Took the boy out with me for his first dove hunt Saturday. Hit the same field and saw nothing for 2 hours so we picked up and tried another public field about 15 minutes up the road. Better field with more activity. Managed to kill two and the boy got a couple shots off as well. He even got to walk one up with the 28 but hesitated too long before pulling the trigger. He's shooting a well used Franchi 620VS youth that he likes very much. light to carry but soft shooting. Said he really enjoyed the dove hunt (music to dads ears!).

But let me tell you I think I'm in love with this gun. Need to spend more time on clays fiddling with chokes.

[berettafan]

On the subject of such a short and light gun my son pointed out that one of the birds I killed Saturday was hit in the neck. He surmised I was a little too far ahead of the bird. Thinking about it I believe he is right. 30" bbls would slow me down a bit but I think would be a bit ungainly sitting on a bucket amidst sunflowers.

So fun to have a new hunting buddy who wants to go doving. my duck hunting group doesn't bother with them so it's me and the boy heading off to explore. Good times!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by berettafan

On the subject of such a short and light gun my son pointed out that one of the birds I killed Saturday was hit in the neck. He surmised I was a little too far ahead of the bird. Thinking about it I believe he is right. 30" bbls would slow me down a bit but I think would be a bit ungainly sitting on a bucket amidst sunflowers.

So fun to have a new hunting buddy who wants to go doving. my duck hunting group doesn't bother with them so it's me and the boy heading off to explore. Good times!

Awesome.

I have to wait until my son comes home for the December season. The corn will be harvested by then and they will be fat and happy!

[VincentVega]

cool!

Sounds like a good time. I dont know a thing about hunting but used to shoot trap and can see the allure, especially with you boy.

[berettafan]

looking forward to cooler weather as well. never really spent time in the later splits for dove as we're usually focused on ducks but this year will be different. also planning to do a couple trips to upland game farms. found one near Easton and one near Reading PA that look decent.

[vash]

that is stunning.

i never shoot my 12 ga. it has fixed chokes. and i just never reach for it anymore. same with the sxs.