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There's a reason dove hunters keep flats of Rio in the truck every September. This RDL288 load pairs a 1-1/8 ounce charge of #8 lead shot with a 2-3/4 inch hull, giving you a payload that's plenty for fast-moving birds without beating up your shoulder on a hundred-round day in the field.
At 1200 fps, this isn't trying to be a magnum load, and that's the point. Rio built its dove-specific lineup to cover mourning dove and high-flying white-wing dove alike, and the number 8 shot strikes that sweet spot between pattern density and knockdown energy on birds this size. Rio manufactures every component of its shells in-house, from the hulls and primers down to the shot and powder, which is a big part of why the fps rating on the box tends to hold up when you actually chronograph a box.
This is a straightforward, no-drama field load. The recoil is easy to handle even after several boxes, so your swing stays smooth and your follow-up shots come faster instead of you flinching through the second half of the limit. It runs in pumps, semi-autos, and break-actions alike without needing anything special from your shotgun, and the shot charge patterns evenly enough that you're not second-guessing your choke choice on crossing shots.
Each box holds 25 shells, and they ship ten boxes to a case, so it's easy to grab enough for opening weekend or restock the shell bag before a weekend hunt. If you've got a mixed bag day planned with dove, quail, or squirrel in the mix, #8 shot at this velocity covers that ground without you needing to swap loads mid-hunt.
Yes, #8 shot is one of the most popular sizes for dove and other small upland birds because it gives you a dense pattern with enough pellets to cover a bird's vitals at typical field ranges. It works well out to around 40 yards, which covers the vast majority of shots you'll actually take on dove. This load's 1200 fps velocity keeps the pattern tight rather than blown out at normal hunting distances.
This is a standard-pressure 1-1/8 oz field load, and loads in this range typically generate enough gas and recoil impulse to run semi-autos without issue. As with any ammo, it's smart to pattern a few rounds through your specific gun before opening day just to confirm everything cycles the way you expect. Pump and break-action shotguns won't have any compatibility concerns at all.
This RDL288 load runs at a more moderate 1200 fps, while Rio's high velocity dove offerings push closer to 1275 fps or more with similar payloads. The extra speed on the HV loads can help at longer yardage, but a lot of dove hunters actually prefer the standard velocity version because it patterns a little more consistently and produces noticeably less recoil over a long day of shooting.
Each box of the Rio RDL288 Dove Load contains 25 shells, and they're packaged 10 boxes to a case for a total of 250 rounds. That's a convenient amount for stocking up ahead of dove season or splitting between a group heading out to the field together.
| UPC | 8435101648950 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | RDL288 |
| Shipping Weight | 2.18 |
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