Fiocchi Releases Duplex Load Combining #6 and #8 Shot for Dove Season
Fiocchi America launched Golden Dove Duplex, a new 12-gauge shotshell pairing #6 and #8 pellets in a single load. The mixed-shot design targets dove hunters seeking improved pattern density and strike energy across varying distances. The load enters a competitive market where shot selection directly impacts bird recovery rates and hunting success.
Duplex loads aren't new, but Fiocchi's engineering focuses on the specific ballistics dove hunting demands. Doves present small, fast-moving targets requiring precision patterns. #6 shot delivers heavier strikes at closer distances. #8 pellets extend effective range and tighten patterns at longer shots. Combining both in one shell eliminates the need to swap ammunition between near and distant birds.
The Golden Dove Duplex uses Fiocchi's standard 2.75-inch hulls loaded to standard pressure specifications. Velocity and dram equivalents fall within typical upland game loads, meaning shooters can use existing shotguns without concern for over-pressure or excessive recoil. Standard target loads run 1,200 to 1,300 feet per second; Fiocchi has not disclosed specific velocity figures for Golden Dove Duplex, but the company typically stays within industry norms for dove ammunition.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Dove hunting demands speed and adaptability. Birds flush unpredictably at close range or hover at 40-plus yards. Hunters traditionally load #8 for distant shots, then switch to #6 when working fields with closer birds. That breaks rhythm. Duplex loads solve this by balancing both performance curves into one shell.
Pattern density matters. A dove presents roughly 2 inches of vital area. Missing patterns waste ammunition and cripple birds. Mixed-shot loads increase pellet count within effective patterns compared to single-shot-size alternatives. More pellets downrange mean higher probability of connecting on fast, erratic targets.
Cost efficiency drives adoption too. Buying one ammunition type instead of rotating between #6 and #8 simplifies logistics. Fewer SKUs to track. Less baggage in the truck. Reloaders can also source duplex components separately, making Golden Dove Duplex a reference point for custom loads.
Fiocchi builds ammunition at U.S. facilities, supporting domestic manufacturing. The company competes against Federal Premium, Winchester, and Remington in the upland game category. Golden Dove Duplex enters a segment where innovation directly affects fill rates on ammunition shelves and shooter preference at retail counters.
Background
Fiocchi operates manufacturing plants in Arizona and Illinois, producing centerfire rifle, pistol, and shotshell ammunition for civilian and law enforcement markets. The company traces heritage to 1876 in Lecco, Italy, and expanded U.S. operations significantly over the past two decades.
Dove season timing varies by state and flyway. Early seasons open in September across much of the country. Peak hunting windows extend through October and November. Weather cooling increases dove hunter participation, driving ammunition demand across the fall months.
Duplex loading technology allows manufacturers to control pellet separation and pattern formation. Shot columns containing two sizes create different ballistic signatures. Heavier #6 shot stays forward in the pattern column. Lighter #8 spreads wider. This stratification creates wider effective range envelopes than single-shot-size loads achieve.
DownRange Bottom Line
Golden Dove Duplex targets hunters tired of swapping ammunition mid-hunt. The mixed-shot approach matches field realities where dove distances vary dramatically. Execution depends on pattern testing; shooters should verify performance at their preferred shooting distance before season opener. Check your state's ammunition regulations—some regions restrict shot types or sizes during specific seasons. Order early; duplex loads sell fast during fall migration months.
