Best Shotgun for Dove Hunting Reviews 2026 Top Choices

1

Daisy Outdoor Products Model 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun, Wood

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• ARS Mark

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  9.2
• Brand
  Daisy

Key specs2

Ammunition and Barrel Type

Fires steel BBs through a standard smoothbore barrel, making it suitable for backyard marksmanship drills rather than harvesting live game birds.

Overall Length

35.4 inches

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Classic wood-grain stock offers a lightweight, traditional feel for marksmanship practice
• Compact 35.4-inch overall length makes handling simple in tight practice spaces
• Lever-cocking design provides an accessible platform for basic wingshooting mechanics

Cons

• Designed solely for BBs, which do not meet field requirements for game bird hunting
• Manufacturer lists no velocity, energy rating, or adjustable sight specifications
• Smoothbore BB format lacks the spread and payload required for taking flying doves

2

Crosman P1377BR American Classic Multi Pump .177-Caliber Pneumatic Pellet Air

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  9.0
• Brand
  Crosman

Key specs2

Power Source and Action

Uses an onboard pneumatic pump reaching up to 600 fps without external air tanks, paired with a single-shot bolt-action mechanism.

Weight and Sighting

• 1.875 lb overall weight
• Fixed blade front sight
• Rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Variable-pump pneumatic design achieves up to 600 fps without needing CO2 cartridges
• Rifled steel barrel helps stabilize .177 caliber pellets for precise target shooting
• Fully adjustable rear sight allows custom tuning for windage and elevation
• Lightweight 1.875-pound build reduces arm strain during single-hand aiming drills

Cons

• Single-shot bolt-action layout prevents quick follow-up shots on fast targets
• Handgun profile does not offer a shoulder mount for tracking erratic flight paths
• Pneumatic pump operation requires manual pumping between individual shots

3

Gamo WildCat Whisper Air Rifle .177 Cal , Black

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  8.8
• Brand
  Gamo

Key specs2

Caliber and Platform

.177 caliber air rifle

Field Hunting Suitability

Functions as a single-pellet air rifle for target training. Hunters must check local game regulations, as migratory dove hunting requires legal shotgun gauges.

Pros & cons33

Pros

• .177 caliber air rifle platform provides a dedicated setup for target practice
• Full-length air rifle layout helps support standard shoulder mounting practice
• Whisper noise dampening design helps minimize shot report during backyard drills

Cons

• Single-projectile air rifle mechanism lacks the wide shot spread of a hunting shotgun
• Manufacturer specification details for velocity, weight, and optics are unlisted
• Small .177 caliber pellet does not meet standard game bird harvesting regulations

4

Glock 19 Gen3 .177 Caliber BB Gun Air Pistol

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  8.8
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Capacity and Velocity

15 rounds, up to 410 fps

Optic and Accessory Mount

Features an integrated Weaver rail under the barrel for tactical lights or lasers, along with fixed Glock-style sights.

Pros & cons43

Pros

• 15-shot magazine capacity allows multiple consecutive shots without manual reloads
• Integrated Weaver rail accommodates mounted accessories for tactical target drills
• Compact 1.6-pound frame offers easy maneuverability for quick handgun drills
• Delivers velocities up to 410 fps using standard 12-gram CO2 cartridges

Cons

• Pistol frame lacks a shoulder stock for tracking crossing wingshooting targets
• CO2 cartridge is not included and requires regular replacement to maintain velocity
• Fires individual steel BBs rather than shotgun shot patterns required for birds

5

Remington Express Hunter REHNP22SX Nitro Mag-Powered .22-Caliber Break Barrel Air

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  8.4
• Brand
  Remington

Key specs2

Stock and Sighting

Equipped with a raised comb synthetic stock designed for cheek weld alignment with the included CenterPoint 4x32mm optic.

Barrel and Velocity

• Nitro Mag break barrel action
• Up to 950 fps with .22 caliber pellets
• Rifled steel barrel construction

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Nitro Mag gas piston system delivers velocities up to 950 fps with .22 pellets
• Synthetic stock features a raised comb to help line your eye up with the scope
• Bundled CenterPoint 4x32mm scope aids in acquiring stationary distant targets
• Rifled steel barrel and 5-year limited warranty ensure reliable build quality

Cons

• Heavy 8.55-pound weight can cause shoulder and arm fatigue during long shooting sessions
• Break-barrel single-shot action eliminates rapid follow-up shots on fast-moving flushes
• Magnified optic and single .22 pellet make tracking fast, erratic flying birds impractical

6

Gamo Arrow Multi-Shot PCP .22 Caliber Air Rifle

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  8.0
• Brand
  Gamo

Key specs2

Action and Trigger Adjustability

Utilizes a 10-round rotary magazine with a straight-pull bolt and a two-stage CAT trigger that lets you adjust travel on both stages.

Cylinder and Shot Count

105cc air reservoir, up to 30 shots per fill

Pros & cons43

Pros

• 10-shot rotary magazine and straight-pull bolt allow fast follow-up shots
• Built-in 105cc PCP cylinder delivers up to 30 shots per fill without manual cocking
• Two-stage Custom Action Trigger allows separate adjustment of first and second stages
• Lightweight 5-pound build prevents fatigue and shoulders quickly

Cons

• Requires an external air source to fill the 105cc reservoir to 232 BAR
• Fires single .22 caliber pellets rather than a pattern of shotshell pellets
• Rotary magazine bolt-action system requires hand cycling between shots

7

Stoeger S4000-E Airgun - .22 Caliber - Black Synthetic with

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  7.8
• Brand
  Stoeger

Key specs2

Sound Moderation and Sights

Combines an S3 integrated sound moderator chamber with interchangeable front fiber-optic sights for high-contrast sighting.

Grip and Ergonomics

Features Stoeger ProAdaptive checkering on the butt pad, grip, forearm, and safety, supported by the customizable Multi-Grip System.

Pros & cons53

Pros

• S3 integrated sound moderator uses baffles and a decompression chamber to cut noise
• Interchangeable front fiber-optic sights provide high-contrast target visibility
• ProAdaptive checkering across the grip and butt pad ensures a slip-free hold
• Multi-Grip System lets you customize grip textures for improved shooting comfort
• Backed by a 5-year limited manufacturer warranty covering all metal components

Cons

• Weight of 7.8 pounds can tire your arms when swinging across open fields
• Single-shot mechanism does not support instant secondary shots on bird flushes
• Caliber is restricted to single .22 pellets, which cannot produce a shotgun pattern

Last update on 2026-09-18 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Which action provides fast follow-up shots without losing target alignment on doves?

Semi-automatic actions allow for the fastest follow-up shots on erratic crossing doves because they cycle spent hulls automatically while keeping your hands firmly in shooting position. Manual platforms, such as break-barrel single-shot mechanisms like the Remington Express Hunter REHNP22SX, require breaking the action open between shots, which pulls your head off the stock and sacrifices target tracking. Multi-shot airgun actions with a straight-pull bolt and 10-round rotary magazine, such as the Gamo Arrow, demonstrate how rapid cycling keeps your eyes forward, but for live game birds, a dedicated repeating shotgun action ensures you stay aligned on second flushes. Verify the cycling speed, action reliability, and recoil control in the manufacturer specifications.

Can target-training airguns or BB guns be used for dove hunting?

No, game laws strictly prohibit taking doves and other migratory game birds with airguns, pellet pistols, or BB guns. Target-training options such as the 35.4-inch Daisy Outdoor Products Model 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun, the pneumatic .177-caliber Crosman P1377BR pistol, or the 15-shot Glock 19 Gen3 powered by a 12-gram CO2 cartridge serve well for basic backyard practice, but they lack legal approval for migratory wingshooting. Hunting doves requires a smoothbore shotgun firing legal birdshot. Check your state wildlife agency hunting digest to verify legal shotgun calibers, gauges, and ammunition requirements for the current season.

What gun weight swings best on quick crossing birds without causing fatigue?

Finding the right swing balance requires evaluating total weight against how long you plan to hold the gun in the field. A lighter platform, such as the 5-pound Gamo Arrow, swings briskly toward unexpected flushes with minimal arm fatigue, but it can stop moving prematurely if you fail to push through crossing targets. Heavier models, such as the 8.55-pound Remington Express Hunter or the Stoeger S4000-E, carry smooth forward momentum on long flight lines, though extra heft can tire your arms over extended morning shoots. Verify the listed overall weight and balance point on the product page to ensure you can shoulder the gun smoothly.

How does stock fit impact natural eye-to-sight alignment during fast flushes?

Proper stock fit ensures your dominant eye instantly meets the barrel plane without having to hunt for the sight. When comb height or length of pull fails to match your frame, mounting the gun forces your cheek out of position, causing missed shots on fast-dropping birds. While sight features like the interchangeable front fiber-optic sights on the Stoeger S4000-E provide clear visual contrast against vegetation, they cannot compensate for an ill-fitting buttstock. Check the manufacturer stock dimensions, including drop at comb and heel, to ensure natural alignment the moment the buttstock reaches your shoulder.

How do local hunting regulations affect magazine capacity in the field?

Migratory bird regulations strictly enforce shell capacity limits in the dove field, requiring shotguns to hold no more than the legally mandated maximum shell count. While training platforms like the Glock 19 Gen3 offer a 15-shot capacity and multi-shot rotary air rifles hold 10 rounds, field shotguns must use a magazine plug to restrict round capacity. Failing to plug an extended magazine can lead to game violations and citations. Always check the shotgun manual to verify that a removable plug is included and matches current state wildlife guidelines.

How does a dove hunting shotgun setup differ from waterfowl and goose equipment?

Dove setups emphasize fast handling, open patterns, and manageable recoil for agile, high-volume wingshooting, whereas goose and duck setups require durable designs built for heavy magnum shot payloads. Waterfowl hunting often involves extreme moisture and extended distances, which you can read about in our guide to the best shotgun for waterfowl hunting and our breakdown of the best shotgun for goose hunting. For dove shooting, prioritize a responsive swing, dependable cycling, and comfortable cheek placement over heavy-duty magnum hardware.