Other wing-shooting experts say that if your shotgun hasn't been perfectly fitted to you and your biomechanics that you -- much like Vernon Tull -- will hardly ever hit a flying dove. I can understand that in theory, but teenage boys I know around Marion County hit dang near every dove that flies their way and these boys have never HEARD of cast, LOP, comb, drop, or any other measurement for shotguns. They just grab a gun and start dropping birds. I've seen it year after year.

So just how important is a measured and fitted shotgun? (Mine has no shims or adjustments: it's just the factory Remington 1100/1187 setup that American hunters have used since 1963.)

It matters but some people can just shoot and hit with about anything. Look up Gill Ash OSP shooting school on YouTube and look for his gun fit and gun mount videos. The thing is most of the newer autos have spacers to adjust the drop and cast. That’s a game changer. MOST people can take one of them and adjust it to fit them good enough. Then it comes down to preferences. Example I had a Beretta a400 that was adjustable but had a lower rib than my Benelli m2. I had the drop maxed out on both but my left eye would try to pick up on the bead of the a400 since it was so low. I am right eyed dominate. I sold the a400 and stuck with the higher rib of the m2. I could shoot good with the a400 but just not as good with the other. My brother has a beretta extreme plus it has a higher rib like my benelli I can shoot it equally well. Watch those videos of Gill ash. He has some simulator videos that shows how to shoot a crossing bird, where your eyes should be the gun barrel and how to lead the bird. Those videos helped me a lot.

Easy way to see if the gun fits you is close your eyes. Mount the gun as you normally would. When you open you eyes. If everything is lined up you fit is pretty good not say perfect. If you have to move the gun or your head around for things to be lined up. Either the way you mount the gun or the fit is wrong. It’s hard to adjust the gun as you are trying to shoot

I have problems with fit. Red dots helped me a bunch

In my opinion, burning powder is the key. A gun that fits is a bonus and helps the end game.

You are in Marion County which is not far from West Point, Mississippi. Prairie Wildlife has an excellent Orvis shooting school. Not sure of cost but the folks there are some great folks to learn from. They also have a custom gun fitting shop so they can also offer some help with finding the type of gun that fits you well.

https://prairiewildlife.com/shooting/

I do better on doves with a bb gun and them sitting still.

When someone starts telling me their gun doesn't fit and that's why they can't hit a quail or dove.... I'm more of in the..... you just suck at shooting camp. Because that's the real answer.

IMO, a very high percentage of people having difficulty rests with getting their head down. They throw gun up and are looking over the end of the barrel and not down the rib. Those are usually the ones that do well on the range but can't hit anything while hunting.

That's a lot of people in reality. When the moment of truth arrives they haven't been there enough times to be good at it. It's like spending all your time on the driving range doesn't make you great at Golf. Or so I hear I don't play that stupid crap.

can you shoot a youth model gun as good as a regular shotgun?

Absolutely can if I need to.

Good information. Thanks. ~~ Also, I love the Gil Ash videos that you mentioned; I just have a hard time trying to remember all his helpful pointers in the heat of the moment.

Not me, but its probably my broad muscular shoulders that makes it more difficult.

I shoot the original model A5 Browning in 12 and 16 gauge. Can usually average 1 bird per 2 shells....unless I have to take extremely long shots for lack of birds. Been shooting these same guns pushing 50 years. But....to me an Over/Under has the best "Feel/Pointability" of any shotgun.

I had a friend in college that could out shoot anyone with their own gun. It was annoying. We could throw clays and we would only let him shoot after someone else shot and missed. He has out shot me while on the phone and only one hand on his gun. Some people are just good.

I'm over 50 and have thought for years that the reason I can't hit anything with a shotgun (no matter how expensive the shotgun is) is that I simply started too late and that one must start shooting clays & doves at a young age to do any good. I've sold beautiful Benelli, Browning, and Remington shotguns at a loss because I couldn't hit any flying target with them.

There's more than one way to use a shotgun. Some don't really require a gun that fits. You will however be able to use more methods and hit more easily without having to apply English if the gun fits. You'll be faster, too, because you don't have to think about it. You can just look at a bird and hit it without having to squint down the rib like a hack.

You don't have to be that great a shot to take a limit of doves with a box of shells. Get some shooting lessons. Ask about eye dominance. Change guns if recommended.