I am being told by my Argentinian outfitter that it is difficult to get 28 gauge shells in that country.

I realize that 12 and 20 gauge are more common and available, but it must be possible to get 28 as well, no? Perhaps not Orbea, but certainly Fiocchi, I would think.

My wife and I will be shooting doves, and want to use our own shotguns. Mine is a 12 gauge and hers a 28, both Beretta over and unders.

Is my outfitter just being lazy?

Perhaps your outfitter used the exact term and he meant difficult - not impossible

I don't have 28 gauge myself so I can't tell for sure - let me make a couple of calls tomorrow morning (it is 21:30 downhere)and I will be able to let you know the exact situation (availability)

I saw a lot of gunshops advertisement on the web offering fiochi, Mirage and Stopping power or Orbea (Local brands) but they offers only minimun sale per 500 units (20 boxs?), maybe are hard to find but no impossible. I am talking from what I saw in the local shops website,I am not a shotguner, but shurelly Afrikander can help You, He lives in the shotshells meca.Go a head Martin and Mrlexma will invite Us with a great diner just kiding , Good Luck !!! Guille

Thanks, gentlemen.

I don't mean to be harsh.

Difficult is not impossible, and is not the last word. That is the question.

I don't want to be unreasonable with my outfitter.

I appreciate your help.

i used a 28 ga and had no trouble. outfitter got them

If your outfitter can't or won't supply you with 28ga shells then you've got the wrong outfitter. Bad sign IMO. They are readily available with some pre-planning unless things have changed radically since I was there.

BTW, and I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but if you haven't been before, you need to prepare ahead of time, ESPECIALLY if you're going to shoot your O/U (which I do too).

Shooting a fair amount at your gun club ahead of time will help toughen your shoulder, say a minimum of 200 shots 2 or 3 times a week for a couple of weeks. Besides a top quality mushy recoil pad on your gun, recoil pad shirts or similar are highly recommended unless you're very used to shooting a LOT of rounds thru your shotgun. Finally, you need to work out by mounting your shotgun a few hundred times a day, progressively for at least a couple of weeks prior to your trip. Sounds silly, but you'll find out that it isn't when you get there. Shooting gloves or bandaids (simply put one where your thumb contacts lever BEFORE you get a blister) for your top lever hand can be helpful. I don't know how old your are, but if you're in your late 30s or more, take some serious anti-inflammatories for your shoulders, prescription NSAIDS are best, but Alleve is far better than nothing. Like I said, if you've been there, sorry for the diatribe, but otherwise, pay attention.

Gatogordo gives good advice. If you are not used to shooting such huge quantities of shells...you´ll get bruised. I do not fancy shooting so many doves, mainly being a big game hunter, but during one of my last trips I saw a mist (don´t find another word to describe it) of doves in the road and had to lower the speed in order of not colliding with the critters.
In past years we simply waited them to fly over our heads in the afternoon at full speed, being just outside of the main premises. These were beautiful shoots because the doves made zig zags, we being in full view and not camouflaged.
Well, to each one his taste. Good luck and enjoy the hunt.

Well, did my homework ....

After a quick survey in three places (where I usually buy my own stuff), all three of them have what you are looking for...

From what I was told, 28 gauge can be found in almost every gunshop en Buenos Aires, actually you might even choose among different brands (perhaps not top brand names, but at least you might be able to choose the less bad of the offered ones !)

Prices, something around 15 USD each box (25), but can always ask for a quantity discount if apply...

Tell your outfitter that (just to start with) he can call either BOWIE (011 4327 6628), CAMOUFLAGE (011 4247 1538) or GUNSHOP (011 4281 4495), among many other shops.... as said these are the first three ones I called - and all three of them confirmed me both existences and diversity - seeing 100% of effectiveness in the first three intents, it doesn't seem that the 28 gauge is so difficult to get , at least in Buenos Aires

Afrikaander, you are el HOMBRE!

Muchas gracias, señor. Many thanks.

Since I first posted, I have heard from the woman who is handling things for the outfitter that she is going to check with the boss about this.

If they need it, I will give them the contact information you have so thoughtfully provided.

I will be in BsAs from the 28th to 30th March, and if you are around, I would love to meet you and thank you in person.

Gatogordo and nainital, thank you for taking the time to offer such excellent advice.

We are doing all we can along the lines you describe to prepare ourselves for the onslaught of doves we will face!

But we are not bound and determined to fire 2,000 shells per day. We will shoot our share, you can be certain, but we won't set any national records.

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
Afrikaander, you are el HOMBRE!

Muchas gracias, señor. Many thanks.

Since I first posted, I have heard from the woman who is handling things for the outfitter that she is going to check with the boss about this.

If they need it, I will give them the contact information you have so thoughtfully provided.

I will be in BsAs from the 28th to 30th March, and if you are around, I would love to meet you and thank you in person.

My pleasure !

I would love to meet you, Mrlexma !

Sadly I am heading south on March 25th till April 5th, since I have an appointment with Mr Cervus Elaphus in the PN Lanin area ...

Well, actually I am not so sure Mr Elaphus will meet me, but I will look after him with all my strenght and knowledge applied in such intention

Would you come back afterwards to BUE ? Or that dates you mentioned are just before your return back to the States?

If I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me ...

Cervus elaphus....I know him well....kind of a horny guy if I am not mistaken.

Afrikaander, I regret that we will miss each other. We are flying home on the 30th.

But earlier on this same trip, before dove shooting, we will also be hunting Señor Cervus Elaphus!

We will be hunting on horseback, for free range stags in Patagonia, just north of Bariloche, from the 18th to 24th March.

I am told that the stags will be roaring during that time and we are looking forward to chasing them.

May we both have good luck! And may we meet another time.

Again, many thanks.

Mr. Cervus Elaphus (a provincial ad, not related to La Tramontana):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpGte3cWJVQ

Nice video Ricardo !

Mrlexma, wish you the best luck... Whatever its result, I do really hope you to enjoy your hunt !

We will surely share experiences and pics if not personally at least here at AR !

I have seen them every single time I went to Argentina. My outfitter stocks them.

Thanks, again, to all for your help and advice.

I have just heard from my outfitter that providing the 28 ga. shells will not be a problem after all.

It is hard for me to figure out what happened here, but it may have just been a front office miscommunication.

I enjoyed that video, nainital - thanks.

Afrikaander, I will post the results of my hunt and the wingshooting - here's hoping again that we both have good luck!