For you guys who have hunted dove and waterfowl in Argentina, tell all about the 12g shotgun shells as provided by the outfitter. How much shot per shell, shot size, brand, any duds, or feeding problems? At $8-10/box, I am expecting premium shells!!! Can you pre-buy cases of shells for a local wholesaler?
Thanx to all!!!
Jeff
PS-Six of us are looking to go in August of 2004. Any deals out there for a group this size?

Well, if you are expecting premium shells, and are that worried about the costs per box, either shoot less or don't go. The shells are worlds better than Mexican shells, and usually come in 28 or 32 gram size IIRC in 6s, 7 1/2s or 8s. Some of the imported Italian shells are excellent, and the Orbeas are not bad. Shoot the 28 grams if you are going to shoot much. If you are going to take a semi-auto, which is what it sounds like, you better worry more about your gun than the shells. I'll let the guys who organize the hunts comment from this point on.

Gatogordo knows more about shooting in Argentina than most Argentine outfitters.

Shells here are "Orbea or RD" that are really the same shells from the same factory that is in Tucuman province. If you bring an autoloader the best results I've been getting are from the super black eagle. Unless you plan on having 2 guns and a loader and shooting 3000+ shells a day an O/U works just as well and is easier on the fingers to reload. I tell my clients who shoot autoloaders to just tip the gun sideways and let the birdboy push the shells in.

Fiochi shells are also available but are not much better than Orbea and are more expensive. 12 gauge shells under 28 grams do not work in autoloaders. 28 gram shells are indeed the best for dove shooting. If you bought your own shells the outfitter would just boost his prices on the daily fee to make up the difference. Shells are a big part of the profit. To get a deal on shells the best thing to do would be to buy a hunt and prepay the shells. Calculate a minimum of 1000 shells a day to get the outfitters attention. Send me an e-mail and we can talk about what you need for your august 2004 group.
Here are 2 links to recent video clips. These clips were taken in July 2003.

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 http://www.sportingdestinations.com/files/randdove.mpg 

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 http://www.sportingdestinations.com/files/swangoosedouble.mpg 

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The shotgun shells produced by the Orbea Company are MUCH better than those we shoot here in the USA. The Orbea "highbrass" shells have a velocity of about 1450-1500 fps vs 1100-1200 fps for US Shells. They have a cleaner burning powder and I RARELY EVER have a "misfire" or any problems. Plus you can regularly find shells loaded with #7 shot, which works WELL in my two over / unders. If you have any more questions about Argentina shells you can ask myself or John Airala since we both shoot A LOT of Orbea shells. I just returned from Argentina on August 6th and 4 hunters shot 13,700 shots with NO problems.

Tell me something about the Argentine 28 gauge shells.

Hi
I have tested some spanish made shells called RIO and I love them.have never seen such a clean burning powder before . i barly need to clean my shotgun and velocity seems to be realy good it is realy hard hittig and patterning excellen in my ic choke .we shot on cans at 5o yds! an had each time 3-4 pellets hitting the little can. amazing preformance!the head stamp is marked UEE and spain and loading was 32 gram in no 5. if you can find these ammos in argentina then you may give a try it is worth.
regards
danny