Unlocking Dove Hunting Success: The Definitive Guide to Remington 20 Gauge Heavy Dove Loads

For avid wing shooters and newcomers alike, the pursuit of doves offers an exhilarating challenge and a deeply rewarding experience. Whether you're anticipating the crisp autumn air of opening day or honing your skills at the range, selecting the right ammunition is paramount to a successful and ethical hunt. This comprehensive guide delves into why the Remington Ammunition 28755 Heavy Dove Load in 20 Gauge stands out as a premier choice, offering a perfect blend of power, precision, and reliable performance tailored specifically for the demands of dove and light upland bird hunting.

What is the Best Ammunition for Dove Hunting? Understanding Your Options

When preparing for dove season, hunters often ask, "What's the ideal shotgun shell for doves?" The answer hinges on several factors, including your shotgun gauge, desired effective range, and preferred shot size. Doves are relatively small, fast-flying birds, requiring ammunition that delivers a dense pattern and sufficient energy for clean, humane kills without excessive over-penetration.

While 12 gauge shotguns are popular, the 20 gauge has seen a significant resurgence, and for good reason. It offers a noticeable reduction in recoil compared to its larger counterpart, making it an excellent choice for extended shooting sessions in the field, for younger hunters, or for anyone seeking a more comfortable shooting experience without compromising effectiveness. When paired with a quality load, a 20 gauge can be incredibly potent for migratory birds.

This brings us to the Remington Heavy Dove Load, 20 Gauge 2.75" 1 oz 6 Shot (Model 28755). This specific configuration is engineered to provide superior performance where it matters most. But what makes this particular load so effective, and why should it be your go-to for the upcoming season?

Why Choose Remington 20 Gauge 1 oz 6 Shot for Doves?

Let's break down the core components of this ammunition and explore the advantages it offers:

• 20 Gauge: As mentioned, the 20 gauge shotgun provides a lighter recoil impulse than a 12 gauge, which translates to quicker follow-up shots and less fatigue during a long day of hunting. This makes it an excellent choice for shooters of all experience levels, from seasoned veterans to those just starting their wing-shooting journey. It's a highly capable platform, especially with modern ammunition advancements.
• 2.75" Shell Length: This is the standard shell length for most 20 gauge shotguns, ensuring broad compatibility with a vast majority of pumps, semi-automatics, and over/under shotguns on the market. It offers a balanced payload and powder charge for consistent performance.
• 1 oz Shot Weight: A full ounce of shot in a 20 gauge load provides a substantial payload, delivering a high pellet count downrange. This is crucial for creating dense patterns that increase the likelihood of striking fast-moving birds. For doves, a dense pattern is often more important than raw power, as it maximizes the chance of connecting with multiple pellets.
• #6 Shot Size: While many hunters opt for #7.5 or #8 shot for doves, the #6 shot in this "Heavy Dove Load" offers a distinct advantage. Each #6 pellet carries more energy than smaller shot sizes, leading to increased knockdown power and a slightly extended effective range. This can be particularly beneficial on windier days when birds might be flying higher, or for hunters who prefer the added assurance of a more potent pellet. It strikes a balance between pellet count and individual pellet energy, making it versatile enough for doves and even some larger upland birds like quail or small pheasants at closer ranges.
• Reliability and Consistency: Remington Ammunition has built a legacy spanning over 200 years, synonymous with reliability and quality in the shooting sports world. The 28755 Heavy Dove Loads are manufactured with precision components, including clean-burning powders, reliable primers, and uniform lead shot. This attention to detail ensures consistent muzzle velocities and tight, dependable patterns shot after shot. Consistency is vital for developing muscle memory and trust in your ammunition.

How Remington Builds Trust and Performance into Every Shell

Remington's commitment to quality is evident in their manufacturing process. Each Remington 20 Gauge Heavy Dove Load undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure optimal performance. This includes:

• High-Quality Primers: Reliable ignition is the first step to a consistent shot. Remington uses dependable primers that deliver uniform ignition, leading to predictable velocities and patterns.
• Clean-Burning Powders: Modern propellants reduce fouling in your shotgun barrel, meaning less cleaning and more time shooting. Clean-burning powders also contribute to consistent pressures, which directly impacts shot-to-shot performance.
• Uniform Lead Shot: The quality of the lead shot is critical for pattern density and energy retention. Remington utilizes high-quality, spherical lead shot that flies true, minimizes deformation, and contributes to tight, effective patterns. The "Heavy Dove" designation suggests careful selection and loading of these pellets.
• Robust Hulls and Wads: Durable hulls withstand the rigors of loading, firing, and ejection. The wad system is designed to protect the shot during its journey down the barrel and then efficiently separate, allowing the shot column to fly true. This results in optimal patterning at typical dove hunting distances.

Real-World Applications and Benefits for Hunters

"When should I use Remington 20 Gauge Heavy Dove Loads?" This is a common question, and the answer is clear: this ammunition shines in scenarios where consistent performance and humane kills are paramount.

• Opening Day Dove Hunt: The most obvious use case. When the dove fields are active and the birds are flying fast, you need ammunition that you can trust to perform. The 1 oz #6 shot provides the perfect balance for these quick, agile targets.
• Developing Shooting Skills: For newer shooters, the reduced recoil of the 20 gauge, coupled with a reliable load, allows for more comfortable practice sessions. This can significantly improve their confidence and proficiency before heading into the field.
• Youth Hunters: The lighter recoil of 20 gauge makes it an excellent choice for introducing younger hunters to wing shooting, fostering a positive and enjoyable experience.
• Light Upland Game: While primarily designed for doves, the #6 shot also makes this load suitable for other small upland birds such as quail or even ruffed grouse in dense cover where closer shots are common.
• Sporting Clays and Practice: To truly master dove hunting, practice is key. These loads are excellent for challenging sporting clays courses, trap, or skeet fields, simulating the varied shots encountered in the dove field. This helps you build muscle memory and pattern awareness.

Tips for Maximizing Your Dove Hunting Success with Remington Loads

Beyond choosing the right ammunition, several strategies can enhance your dove hunting experience:

• Scouting is Key: Before the season, scout fields for active feeding or watering areas. Doves are creatures of habit, and finding their patterns will put you in the best position.
• Camouflage and Concealment: Doves have excellent eyesight. Wearing camouflage and positioning yourself against a natural backdrop (like a fence line or tree) can make a significant difference.
• Decoys: A few dove decoys set up in a visible area can often draw birds into range. Consider spinning-wing decoys for added realism.
• Pass Shooting vs. Field Hunting: Understand the difference. Pass shooting involves intercepting birds as they fly between feeding and roosting areas. Field hunting is about sitting in a productive area where birds are actively feeding. The Remington Heavy Dove Load excels in both scenarios due to its balanced performance.
• Pattern Your Shotgun: Before heading to the field, take the time to pattern your shotgun with these specific Remington 28755 loads. This involves shooting at large paper targets at typical hunting distances (e.g., 25-35 yards) to see how your gun and choke combination distributes the shot. This knowledge is invaluable for understanding your effective range and making ethical shots.
• Choke Selection: For doves, an Improved Cylinder or Modified choke is often ideal. Improved Cylinder provides a wider pattern, excellent for close-in, fast-flushing birds. Modified offers a slightly tighter pattern, extending your effective range slightly for birds flying at medium distances.
• Lead, Lead, Lead: Doves are fast. Mastering the art of leading a flying target is crucial. Practice swinging through the bird and firing as you pull ahead. The consistent performance of your Remington 20 Gauge Heavy Dove Loads will help you establish a reliable lead.

Ethical Hunting and Safety Considerations

As with all hunting activities, safety and ethical practices are paramount.

• Always identify your target: Be absolutely certain it's a legal game bird before pulling the trigger.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Know where your hunting partners are and what lies beyond your target.
• Respect private property: Obtain permission before hunting on private land.
• Follow all hunting regulations: Adhere to bag limits, season dates, and legal shooting hours.
• Wear appropriate eye and ear protection: Especially when practicing, but also recommended in the field.
• Store ammunition safely: Keep all ammunition in a secure, dry place, out of reach of children and unauthorized individuals. The Remington 28755 Heavy Dove Loads typically come in convenient 25-round boxes, which are then packaged in cases of 10 (25 Bx/ 10 Cs) for bulk storage and transport.

Beyond Doves: Versatility of the 20 Gauge 1 oz #6 Load

While optimized for doves, the 1 oz #6 shot load in 20 gauge offers surprising versatility. This particular configuration can be effective for:

• Quail: Provides excellent performance on flushing quail, offering sufficient pellet energy for these quick birds.
• Ruffed Grouse: In dense cover where shots are typically closer, the #6 shot provides good penetration.
• Small Game (Squirrels, Rabbits): For hunters using a shotgun for small game, this load can be highly effective.

The Remington Ammunition 28755 Heavy Dove Load is a testament to Remington's enduring commitment to providing hunters with reliable, high-performance ammunition. Its specific design—20 gauge, 2.75", 1 oz, #6 shot—makes it an exceptional choice for the nuances of dove hunting, offering a superb balance of comfort, pattern density, and ethical knockdown power. For those seeking to enhance their success in the field and ensure a rewarding hunting experience, this load stands as a confident recommendation. These superior Remington products are all available at DEGuns, ensuring you can easily acquire the ammunition you need for your next adventure.

Product Specifications

Feature	Description
Gauge	20 Gauge
Shell Length	2.75 inches
Shot Weight	1 ounce
Shot Size	6 Shot
Muzzle Velocity	Approximately 1185 FPS
Packaging	25 Rounds per Box
Case Quantity	10 Boxes per Case (250 Rounds)
UPC	047700445607
Model Number	28755