There is nothing worse than scrambling for ammo at the last minute, especially before the dove season opener.

There was a time when it wasn’t an issue at all, but then the world went crazy and ammo got scarce—and expensive—and here we are.

I can remember driving from Washington, D.C. out to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, a certified dove hunting Mecca, and stopping at Anglers just off US 50 in Annapolis as you head towards the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

There we’d stop and get our hunting licenses, any extra ammo we needed and those last minute dove hunting accessories one needs, like a suitable dove stool. Shopping on opening day was just another part of a great experience.

Today, there is no way I’d wait until opening day. And if dove season is on your must do calendar this year, then grab your ammo now…in advance.

One caveat, though, there are those retailers, like Angler’s, that are built for the opening of dove season. But if you don’t have an Angler’s, or a Sprague’s like we have here in Yuma, Ariz., then get your ammo early.

Right about now the various dove specific shotshell offerings are on their way or hitting store shelves. I am a sucker for dove loads. Sure, you can obviously use most target loads, but I firmly believe that if there’s a dove on the box there will be dove in the bag…but not over the bag limit, of course.

All the major ammo makers offer loads geared towards dove hunters. Here are some dove loads to look for when you’re out and about at your local hunting retailer.

Federal

Federal is an ammunition manufacturing powerhouse. Once part of Vista Outdoors, then The Kinetic Group, one of the two companies following the Vista split, Federal is now part of CSG’s Ammo+ division, following CSG’s purchase of The Kinetic Group.

Federal offers shotshells for dove hunting under their Upland Steel and Game Load Upland lines. Upland Steel, as its name implies, uses steel shot, and is engineered for high velocities, making it ideal for locations that require the use of non-lead shot. It’s available in 12, 20, and 410 gauges.

Upland Steel, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1400 fps

Upland Steel, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1375 fps

Upland Steel, 20 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 3/4 oz, 1500 fps

Upland Steel, 410 Bore, 7.5 Shot, 3 in, 3/8 oz, 1400 fps

The Game Load Upland line of shotshells is specifically designed for hunting upland game birds and small game animals like pheasants, quail, doves, rabbits, and squirrels. They are engineered to provide a balance of shot weight and velocity for ethical and effective performance on various upland targets. A variety of loads are available in 12, 16, 20, 28, and 410 gauges.

Game Load Upland Heavy Field, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1255 fps

Game Load Upland Heavy Field, 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1255 fps

Game Load Upland, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1290 fps

Game Load Upland, 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1290 fps

Game Load Upland, 16 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1165 fps

Game Load Upland Hi-Brass, 28 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1220 fps

Game Load Upland Hi-Brass, 410 Bore, 7.5 Shot, 3 in, 11/16 oz, 1135 fps

Fiocchi

Fiocchi, another of CSG’s purchases, offers Field Dynamics Dove & Quail which hits the sweet spot of dove loads. It’s available in 12, 16, 20, 28, and 410 gauges, with either 7.5 or 8 shot for 12 through 20 and 8 shot for 28 and 410. Steel shot options for 7 shot 12 and 20 gauge are also available for those hunting where lead is prohibited.

Dove & Quail, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1250 fps

Dove & Quail, 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1250 fps

Dove & Quail, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1250 fps

Dove & Quail, 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1250 fps

Dove & Quail, 16 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1165 fps

Dove & Quail, 16 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1165 fps

Dove & Quail, 20 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 7/8 oz, 1210 fps

Dove & Quail, 20 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 7/8 oz, 1210 fps

Dove & Quail, 28 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 3/4 oz, 1200 fps

Dove & Quail, 410 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-1/2 in, 1/2 oz, 1200 fps

The Field Dynamics Upland Game line is broader than just dove, but offers loads perfect for use out in the dove fields. This line features larger payload offerings, but more noticeably offers higher velocities, as well as more sub-gauge offerings. Loads for dove using 7.5, 8, and 9 shot are available in 12, 16, 20, 28, and 410 gauges.

Upland Game, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1330 fps

Upland Game, 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1330 fps

Upland Game, 12 Gauge, 9 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1330 fps

Upland Game, 16 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1300 fps

Upland Game, 20 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 3 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1200 fps

Upland Game, 20 Gauge, 8 Shot, 3 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1200 fps

Upland Game, 20 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1220 fps

Upland Game, 20 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1220 fps

Upland Game, 20 Gauge, 9 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1220 fps

Upland Game, 28 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 3/4 oz, 1300 fps

Upland Game, 28 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 3/4 oz, 1300 fps

Upland Game, 28 Gauge, 9 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 3/4 oz, 1300 fps

Upland Game, 410 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 3 in, 11/16 oz, 1140 fps

Upland Game, 410 Gauge, 8 Shot, 3 in, 11/16 oz, 1140 fps

Upland Game, 410 Gauge, 9 Shot, 3 in, 11/16 oz, 1140 fps

Texas White Wing is a new 100-round bulk pack option of a previously discontinued round that is being reintroduced for the Fall ’25 season. So, just in time. This 1 1/8 oz 7.5 shot option, delivering 1250 fps, is arguably Fioochi’s most popular dove load configuration.

Texas White Wing, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1250 fps

HEVI-Shot

HEVI-Hammer Dove (another CSG brand) is a line of non-toxic shotgun ammunition designed for dove hunting. Featuring a duplex load, HEVI-Hammer Dove combines the economy of steel with the density advantage of bismuth. Fifteen percent of the payload is made up of 9.6 g/cc HEVI-Bismuth™ shot. Hevi-Hammer Dove loads are available in both 12 and 20 gauge, utilizing #7 shot.

HEVI-Hammer Dove, 12 Gauge, 7 Shot, 3 in, 1 oz, 1350 fps

HEVI-Hammer Dove, 20 Gauge, 7 Shot, 3 in, 3/4 oz, 1325 fps

Migra

MIGRA Ammunition offers a dove specific shotshell that features a stacked load built specifically for dove hunters. MIGRA Dove Loads combine 7.5/9 lead shot for tighter patterns. Precision-made in small batches with custom components, these loads are available in 12 Gauge 2 3⁄4" (1350 FPS) and 20 Gauge 3" (1300 FPS). They are widely available at Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Dove Load 12 Gauge, 7.5+9 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1350 fps

Dove Load 12 Gauge, 7.5+9 Shot, 3 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1300 fps

Remington

Remington (another CSG brand) Heavy Dove Load shotshells offer a balance of powder charge and shot payload, fueled by Remington 209 primers, that combine to deliver effective velocities and near-perfect patterns, all without hammering your shoulder when the dove action is at its height. Also great for quail, grouse, and partridge hunting.

Heavy Dove Load, 20 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1165 fps

Heavy Dove Load, 20 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1165 fps

Heavy Dove Load, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1255 fps

Heavy Dove Load, 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1255 fps

For those looking for a bit more punch, Remington Nitro Pigeon loads are specifically designed to accurately take down fast-rising pigeons, doves, and upland game. These loads feature a heavier 1-1/4 oz payload and utilize the Power Piston™ Wad for better patterns.

Nitro Pigeon, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1300 fps

Nitro Pigeon, 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1300 fps

Winchester

Introduced just recently, Winchester Ammunition launched Magnum Dove shotshells. It’s a high-performance shotshell specifically for dove hunting. Magnum Dove features heavy payloads, high velocity, and dense patterns thanks to a custom blend of #7.5 and #9 lead shot, and is available in 12 and 20 gauge.

Magnum Dove 12 Gauge, 7.5+9 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1400 fps

Magnum Dove 20 Gauge, 7.5+9 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1300 fps

Winchester’s XPERT Game & Target is available in 12, 20, 28 and 410 gauge with high-velocity, steel shot payloads of 6, 6.5, or 7 shot delivering optimum energy and pattern consistency.

XPERT Game & Target 12 Gauge, 7 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/8 oz, 1280 fps

XPERT Game & Target 12 Gauge, 7 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1325 fps

XPERT Game & Target 20 Gauge, 7 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 3/4 oz, 1325 fps

XPERT Game & Target 28 Gauge, 7 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 5/8 oz, 1300 fps

XPERT Game & Target 410 Gauge, 6 Shot, 3 in, 3/8 oz, 1400 fps

An enduring part of Winchester’s lineup since 1922, Super-X has been delivering for all types of hunters, including those of us that dove hunt. Super-X shotshells are available in 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410 gauges with loads ideal for dove with 6, 7.5, 8 or 8.5, depending on gauge.

Super-X 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1330 fps

Super-X 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 1/4 oz, 1330 fps

Super-X 20 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1220 fps

Super-X 20 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1220 fps

Super-X 20 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1165 fps

Super-X 20 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1165 fps

Fast Dove & Clay is a high brass, high velocity load designed to deliver high performance in the dove fields and on the clays range.

Fast Dove & Clay, 12 Gauge, 7.5 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1350 fps

Fast Dove & Clay, 12 Gauge, 8 Shot, 2-3/4 in, 1 oz, 1350 fps

— Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network