Side-by-side guns can be made very light, too. My first over-and-under shotgun was a stunningly beautiful 12 gauge that weighed more than nine pounds. This could have been because we were using a peep and fiber-optic front sight instead of an optic. Id still recommend the 28 gauge for youth hunters. Thanks to the rising popularity of the 28, theres something to suit everyone now in guns and ammo, and theres never been a better time to go afield with a 28 gauge. 30-yard pattern shot through the choke of the Yildiz .410 using the Gamebore ".410 Target . It has a 3-inch chamber, a more recent 28-gauge development. People who do a lot of upland bird hunting with the 28 gauge will tell you that, within reasonable range, they can do the same thing with a more-tightly-choked 28 and a light load that a 12-gauge shooter can do with a heavier load and an improved cylinder choke. We noticed a difference in consistency with the 410. Michael Dickerson The dense little pellets turned the diminutive gaugeusually reserved for youth small game huntersinto a viable turkey killer. Both are capable of killing waterfowl at that distance without any measurable difference. They lent us a pair of SA-Series shotguns, one in 410 and the other in 28 gauge. If you prefer a little more heft than that in an autoloader, Remingtons 1100 Sporting 28 weighs 6-1/2 pounds. That's a good amount for a duck load, especially one that you limit to 39 yards. I very much doubt it. Hmmm dead on???? From my experiences shooting a 28, it simply patterns well enough to kill ducks cleanly. Even though the 28 gauge kicks more, its more gun for less weight than the 410 and the clear winner for this category. Those two guns weigh 634 and 712 pounds, respectively. When we finally did find some 28-gauge target loads in a store, the clerk said, Youre the only person Ive ever sold 28 gauge to. The winner here is the 410. I expected the shell to put out a decent sub-100-pellet pattern at 40 yards. To way over-simplify their findings: The bigger the bore, the better it patterned, and we could discern no magic .55 inch, ounce payload relationship. To compare the 28-gauge to the 12-gauge, I patterned both on paper. Best TSS Pattern Percentage: Fiocchi Golden Turkey TSS 3-inch, 1 5/8 . The maximum effective range of the 28-gauge shotshell has long been debated and I don't expect to end the argument here and now. For the 12-gauge, I used a Browning Auto-5, shooting a 1-ounce 2-inch load of No. Speaking of premium shot, the firm of Hevi-Shot, which famously produced the first shotshells using heavier-than-lead shot, offers a variety of potent 28-gauge loads. In some guns, less expensive field loads such as Winchester Super-X, Federal Classic and Remington Express pattern about as well as the target loads or if there is a difference it is not enough to matter. The 28 gauge makes a much better choice for a small-gauge hunting or . If taking long shots at gobblers is your thing, the 28 gauge will likely deliver. The idea behind the square load has to do with pellet deformity. Gas-driven, its one of the softest shooting guns you will ever shoulder. Several times I have taken the Model 12 as a second gun on hunts to Alaska and used it to keep the camp well fed with ptarmigan and ducks after filling my big-game tag. Its even less square and therefore not as efficient as a -ounce load, but it still will put more pellets on target than a -ounce load will. The 28 gauge covered the target, averaging 152 hits in a 10-inch circle while remaining precise and controllable. Most of his writings, tests, and musings maintained a general rule: the 28-gauge always did better than it should have. As far as when it started to be measured in that manner, I am unsure. Federal's single 28 gauge offering for the hunter is a Premier high brass 3/4 ounce load at a MV of 1295 fps. Phyllis eventually settled on a Remington Model 1100 in 28 gauge for two reasons--she shot it extremely well and of all the guns she tried, it was the most comfortable to shoot. I can think of no guns I like better for hot-barrel dove shooting than a Weatherby Athena over-under and a Winchester Model 12 pump gun. ( not as many pellets / but a solid pattern none the less). There, we will find a much different spread of gauges than one would today. (More on that below.) The 28-gauge averaged 128 pellets inside a 30-inch circle at 35 yards; the 12-gauge averaged 188 pellets at the same distance. Both have 26-inch barrels and weigh precisely 512 pounds. So, we added all three gauges to the regular lineup. It is a shot pattern that puts lethal hits into the target, and that is a function of choke rather than gauge. Efficiency was calculated by the number of pellets on target divided by the total shell pellet count. 8 shot they are loaded with, they are also excellent choices for use on the smaller birds such as quail and dove. But bismuth and tungsten are more effective killers than steel, and as both materials have become more affordable, shotshell manufacturers have begun to load them in more options, including the 28-gauge. The most common 28 gauge shell is the target load, available from all three of the big ammo companies at a MV of 1200-1230 fps. TSS 28-gauge loads captured the attention of waterfowlers who wanted a little less kick, and manufacturers started making 28-gauge duck guns with 3-inch chambers. Both were bismuth loads and each gun had a factory full choke. Youll notice that the safety is not tang-mounted on this particular gun the way it is on most Mossberg autos and pumps. A 2014 study conducted by Moser and his team showed a direct correlation between the efficiency of a load and this square load ratio. My wife Phyllis is an excellent shotgunner, but she is not at all bashful about admitting to her sensitivity to recoil. Many people tend to lump both into the same sub-gauge category without giving the differences much thought, but the 28 gauge, with a nominal bore diameter of .55 inch, is much closer in size and performance to the 20 gauge and its bore diameter of .615 inch. Those are a lot of ifs, and they offer clues where the real magic of the 28 gauge may be found, and why some people break more clays or put more game birds in the bag with a 28 than they do with larger gauges. Its chambered for 2-inch shells, and also sports the Kick-Off system, which is a series of springs in the stock that tames recoils. I started shooting the 28 after a rotator cuff surgery and havent put it down. Initially, 28-gauge accounted for around 5 percent of our sales. John Gordon AJ's love for all things wild has caused him to advocate on the federal and state levels to promote and expand conservation policy, habitat funding, and upland game bird awareness. The largest shot available in 28-gauge is No. Thats a bit of an exaggeration, of course, but many 28-gauge enthusiasts insist that the 28 delivers a more uniform pattern with almost no holes and no weak outer ring, allowing it to perform better than it should. With 1/8 oz #9.5 TSS 54 pellets, total is 130 pellets. Which perhaps helps explain why 28-gauges in general have developed such a reputation for hitting game harder and smoking targets better than they are supposed to. For a 410 loaded with Apex #9.5s, youll pay around $6.19 per shell. Depending on things like manufacturer and age, an IC shotgun choke for a 12-gauge can range from 0.009 to 0.010 inches. One of the best things the 28-gauge gun has going for it is something it lacks: recoil. Feel free to visit us in person or, to request one by mail, simply call the office at 517-279-4312 or send us a request stating where you would like your Plat Book sent, along with a check for $28. At a bore diameter of 0.55, a oz lead payload column height is about an inch (1/.55 = 1.8); not very square. 23" barrel Briley XFULL .523 Apex 1-3/8 oz 9.5's But don't think for one moment that a 28-gauge gun built on a 20-gauge receiver is all bad because it is not. Developed for high-volume dove shooting, the Cordoba is duck hunter friendly thanks to the ComforTech stock, which includes a gel cheekpiece and recoil pad. Trim, properly scaled 28-gauge guns tend to be very quick to the shoulder and fast on the swing. The 28 gauge kept right on truckin at 40 yards. For youth hunters, new shooters, or anybody who needs an extra turkey gun, the 410 loaded with TSS is still a great choice. Thats been my experience with the 28 on wild pheasants, too, so long as I keep my shots to 30 yards or less. The 28 gauge is the little shell that could. The clear winner at 40 yards is the 28 gauge. These are skeet or sporting clays loads containing 3/4 ounce of #8, 8 1/2, or 9 shot. I did some research on this after another comment from someone talking about how blackpowder was done in that manner back in the day. Copyright 2002, 2014 by Chuck Hawks. In short, both the 20-gauge and 16-gauge outperformed the 28-gauge. John Gordon Side-by-side shotgun shooters made up for 49.35 percent of the 28-gauge crowd, followed by 44.16 percent in over/under. The 28-gauge is favored by older demographics with good taste; baby boomers come in at 12.12 percent listing it as their preferred gauge. Non-toxic pellet requirements for waterfowl have been in existence for more than 30 years. We put two TSS shells to the test to find out, By Some hunters like to boast about reaching into the next county and bumping off a pheasant with their favorite scattergun, and while they may occasionally luck out and do just that, the majority of the shots they make are no more than 35 long paces from the toes of their bootswith a very large percentage inside 20 yards. At 40 yards, things started to change. . At a bore diameter of 0.55, a oz lead payload column height is about an inch (1/.55 = 1.8); not very square, said Adam Moser, Director of Product Engineering at Federal Ammunition. But modern shotshell construction adds in the factor of shotcups. I once received a call out of the blue from Representative Lamar Smith of Texas, himself a quail hunter, encouraging me to write about the miraculously efficient patterning properties of the 28 gauge. At every trigger pull, the dark shoot-and-see turkey target turned neon green. It was a common player in that regard. Years ago one of the top product development engineers at a major ammunition company announced to the world that the 28 gauge is the best-balanced shotshell ever designed. Its also safe to shoot through the barrels of older guns, which has brought more 28s back into the fold. For that same load in the. The Parker has very little choke in either barrel and that along with a few other things makes it the very best ruffed grouse gun I have ever owned. This applies to lead shot as well as nontoxic shot with about the same density as lead. All such loads, of . Loading a 28-gauge load up to 1 ounce will offend puristsbut it will put more pellets on your target. The 28 gauge got its name the same arcane way all shotgun gauges were named: for the number of lead balls with the same diameter as the bore that it takes to equal one pound. Just $1 per month , 28-gauge shotguns pattern well thanks to a "square" payload. If you can mount, point and swing a gun fast and instinctively, you can effectively negate the advantages of larger-gauge guns because you can get on the birds faster, before they open the range, than you can with a much heavier gun. We will talk about string theory later. We started our test shooting the 410, and when we switched over to the 28 gauge, we noticed an uncomfortable jump in recoil. In other words, that 28-gauge with that load had a shot string, with most of its pellets arriving at the target nearly the same time. But it comes at a price. I had brought my 28-gauge Red Label and my favorite load for itFederals premium ounce of copper-plated 7 s. Is this a push to get you to buy a new shotgun? Such guns, they proclaim, are too light and dont swing smoothly enough for serious shooting, whatever they deem that to be. Boss is also slightly less expensive (even with shipping costs depending on where you live) than most TSS loads. Both shells would be devastating to turkeys at 30 yards. 7.5 Diamond Shot, Kents premium lead shot. The bottom line is the 28 gauge mopped the floor with the 410. But inside 35 yards, I have noticed little difference between a 28- and 12-gauge as long as Im shooting bismuth or tungsten. Learn More . Maximum between flyer pellets was 54 inches, but almost all the pattern was concentrated within a basic spread of three feet. Modern shotgun ballistics have moved towards it being only the relation of the shot itself because ultimately the breakthrough that shot deforms shot is where all the ballistics change. Home Firearms and Shooting Shotguns 28-Gauge: The Exception of the Sub-Gauge Shotgun, A.J. With a price tag of just $675, its a real bargain. Although the 28 gauge is denser, it also comes with a more extended shot column. 20-yard pattern shot through the choke of the Yildiz .410 using the Gamebore ".410 Target" 14g/#9 shell. | As time went on, however, customer requests increased. Shot size and material will make a difference, as bigger shot and less dense material will affect the packing density, or how well the shot stacks in the wad. All 28 gauge shells are 2 3/4 inches in length. Larger gauges generally have the advantage of being loaded with and putting more shot into the pattern, thereby having a greater effective range. But some patterns were so wide, they hit other targetsone scoring a kill shot with a pellet in the adjacent gobblers head. Wild bird hunting is a cornerstone of the Project Upland brand. Modern pellet alternatives have brought the 28 back into the waterfowl hunting picture. Tungsten is 56 percent denser than lead, and though it cannot be safely shot through the older guns, it is a most effective duck killer. The baseball is heavier and denser, its going to hurt more. However, that myth is busted. If I was looking for a new sub-gauge turkey gun, and it was down to the 28 gauge vs 410, Id pick the former. There are myths of its origins, a collective misunderstanding of the square load, and a devout following by some of the greatest shotgun experts and writers. Loading the 28 up to an ounce offends 28-gauge purists. Ive never experienced a failure in the four years Ive owned this gun, shooting target and duck loads through it. 3/4 oz at 1200 fps.in a gun around 7 1/2 lbs is very light recoil.so its a great gague for new or young shooters. The practical range is from 10 to 25 yards for lead and 15 to 30 yards for steel. The most I have seen in a 28 in a commercial load is one oz, but it didn't pattern all that well. Ron Spomer. Smaller shot translates into a shorter effective range. At the 2023 SHOT Show and the NWTF Convention, it was hard to take two steps without hearing how the 28 gauge is the next big thing for turkey hunters. Both shells would be devastating to turkeys at 30 yards. In the future, well likely see more 28-gauge turkey guns hit the market if hunters decide to take up the shell. The test was a measure of pattern efficiency at 40 yards in a 30 circle. We shall see.. Hoobilly Currently, four ammo manufacturers make 28-gauge turkey loads in 3-inch and 2-inch lengths. If thats still too rich for the budget, consider the Tristar Viper G2 or the Mossberg International SA-28 semi-auto. Thought I was in range and dead on but birds flesw on. 20-, and 28-gauge, plus .410. With the right buffered load, a 28 bore is highly effective. For years Federal offered a 1 ounce magnum load in 28 gauge. It makes a good option for those who want a 28 as their only smallbore, whether its loads are square or not. Years ago, I was invited to shoot with a bunch of top DNR officials and the governor at a preserve near Des Moines. All rights reserved. But the idea that a 28-gauge is square is nothing but a myth. This color marking avoids getting mixed up, seeing as these two smaller bores are nearly identical in girth. These little guns are said to point like a magicians wand, and they do, but some people dont see that as an advantage. Learn more about our use of cookies:cookie policy. Shoot a one-ounce load at 1,220 fps out of a 6-1/2 pound 20 gauge and youll experience a bit more than 17 foot pounds of recoil energy. !" some of you might ask.. watch the video for more info! Follow along to watch me complete my first pattern test #crochet #crochettester #crochetpatterntester #patterntest #patterntesting . As much as I love the 28 gauge I will have to admit to a couple of strikes against it; the ammunition usually costs more than the larger gauges and not every corner hardware store stocks it. Many would like to crown Parker Bros, an American gunmaker, for the invention of the 28-gauge in 1903. It carries like a 410, kicks less than a 20, and hits like a 12. Beretta released the A400 in 28-gauge, its first semi-auto in 28, back in 2015. What a pleasure this gun is to shoot and hunt with, said Ramsey Russel, who owns getducks.com and shoots a 28. 181K views 4 years ago Discussing some of the differences in the .410 bore and 28 gauge shotguns and shooting some patterns with #6 birdshot hunting loads. In reality, most shots on flushing birds are taken while birds are rising or going away, and a light, fast-handling 28 gauge can be deadly efficient so long as shots are taken within reasonable range. But, perhaps surprisingly, it has proven to be quite effective on both upland game and clay targets. Ammunition companies in England were creating 28-gauge shotshells as far back as 1857 according to the writings of W.W. Greener. 28 Likes, TikTok video from naturesav (@naturesav.crochet): "Let's make a gauge swatch! When I asked the engineers at Federal to test the 28 gauges efficiency against the other bores, what they found instead was an almost linear relationship between bore size and pattern efficiency. The Fausti DEA line includes some 28-gauge side-by-side guns starting at $4,390, and Rizzini 550 and 552 shotguns cost a bit more than that, but some high-end European guns may cost more than your mortgage. William Harnden Foster defined the grouse gun as the one that a certain hunter will find most pleasant to carry to the spot where a grouse is to be shot at, and there prove most efficient when the shot is made., Weight is a key factor in that basic definition. According to the 1888 book Modern Shot Guns, A 28-gauge double gun with 26-inch barrels should weigh under 4 lbs. That is much lighter than its more popular cousins. The SA lineup places the safety at the rear of the trigger group. Go Premium to recieve the follwing benefits: Already a subscriber? The 28 gauge showed signs of taking the lead right off the bat. It kicks like a cottontail, carries light, and puts enough pellets on target to drop birds at 30, 40, and some say 50 yards. Once believed to be an inferior killer of wild game, advancements in gunpowder, the shotcup, and even the introduction of new metals would catapult this gauge forward in the modern era. All proved effective. The 28 is a rectangular load, if there is such a thing. This year, though, a new sub-gauge is getting its moment in the turkey woods. The second shot hit the target square, delivering a 97-pellet TSS sandwich right in the kill zone. Apex produced the best pattern of the test, placing 270 No. The 28 patterns its . I found the article interesting. Updated Apr 20, 2021 2:51 AM EDT, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. The preserve owners son took pity on me and said, The birds are all paid for. Exclusive bird dog training videos presented by Gun Dog experts. And you can tote a lighter gun to the blind and experience the same results (with less recoil) as you would with a 12-gauge. The 28 works just fine on tight-holding wild birds as well as the pen-raised birds youll find on many hunting preserves, but youll likely want to step up in gauge when birds are flushing wild or far ahead, as often happens with late-season pheasants. Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine. The 28-gauge is more than enough gun to take pheasants with authority within reasonable range, as the author demonstrates on this pheasant drive. 4, although BOSS offers a 3/5 blend. The lions share of wild upland bird hunting happens at this distance. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. A spokesman for one of the worlds largest shotshell makers told me that he wishes the company had more compelling data to prove some of those common beliefs, because he dearly loves to hunt with his 28-gauge gun, but the company doesnt have any evidence to support those claims. His book, Shotgunning: The Art and Science, stands as testament to pushing the understanding of shotgun ballistics to a new level. The 28-gauge now represents an often-coveted selection in vintage-built shotguns that can drive prices to nauseating levels. It is not for the hunter who blazes away at gamebirds regardless of how far away they are, but then no shotshell is. Most of his writings, tests, and musings maintained a general rule: the 28-gauge always did better than it should have. Were splitting hairs here, as both the 410 and 28 gauge will kill turkeys deader than dead at 30 yards, but the winner is the 28 gauge. All rights reserved. Listen to more articles onApple|Google|Spotify|Audible. For that same load in the 28 gauge, you can expect to pay about $8.39 per shell. Brister, a shooting champion, expert shotgunner and former shooting editor of Field & Stream, repeatedly put his Webley & Scott 28 gauge to the test against targets at 35 yards towed at 40 miles per hour. Kent Cartridge offerings include the Bismuth Upland shotshell with a 7/8-ounce payload of high-density No. Remington also offers exactly one hunting load in 28 gauge. How far does it leave the .410 in its dust? People smarter than me have pointed out that all shotgun ballistics apply except when talking the 28-gauge. The test referred to in the article is a test Bob Brister did that he presents in his book Shotgunning: The Art and Science. "What exactly is a gauge swatch? More than 40 years ago, a Texan named Bob Brister published a book revealing results of extensive testing on crossing targets towed behind an automobile. I knew I would like it, but I didnt know I would love it. This method is why no greater introduction could be made of the late Bob Brister, a man of many accomplishments. Limiting shots on live birds to 35 yards or so, they benefit from using enough gun instead of using more-than-enough gun. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. While we had to use binoculars to spot our 410 patterns from the bench, we could see our 28 gauge patterns with the naked eye. While I will not say on paper that 28s are superior to all other gauges, pound-for-pound, it may be the most well-rounded hunting gauge. The heaviest .410 load contains less shot than the standard 28, and it won't pattern as well. A lighter object sheds velocity faster and loses energy quicker than a heavier one. That translated into 85 percent and 88 percent respectively. I shot a lot of pheasantsI mean a lot of pheasantsthat day. 6 bismuth shot to be just the ticket for that. They are lightweight, easy to handle guns. This is the advantage of the 12 gauge over the smaller 20 and 28 gauges. I have been hunting with the 28 gauge long enough to know that while its performance in the field does seem magical at times, there really is no magic involved. Size 8 and 9 shot are offered by Remington and Winchester; Federal offers 8 1/2 and 9. When she informed me several years ago that her 16-gauge double was no longer fun to shoot, I suggested that before shopping for a new gun she shoot sporting clays with several of mine in order to get some idea of what she was looking for. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. And, is it so good that those who already own a 410 should get rid of their guns in favor of the 28? Still, Apexs TSS 9-shot shells are about as good a turkey load as you can buy. Some folks have said that the 28 shoots a square load, that delivers shot in a shorter string than the 20- or 12-gauge. The selection of shot shells in 28 gauge is pretty limited, and all are loaded with lead shot. They are far more effective than their small bore might suggest, patterning much like a 20 gauge. If we apply this rule to the 28 gauge it is easy to see that the Winchester Super-X loading with its ounce of shot can do at 30 yards what the 20, 16 and 12 loaded with 114 ounces of shot are capable of at 40 yards. In fact, I wouldnt be scared to use the 28 paired with a modified choke and good ammo on any duck that flies anywhere in the world.. This couldve been because wed gotten used to the 410, or just the way the gun fit (our 28-gauge shotgun came with a different stock than the 410), but the 28 did have a little more kick. That makes people like me, who normally carry enough shells to stage a skeet match for a small army, quite happy. Methinks maybe not???? Under certain circumstances I too am inclined to ignore tradition and pick 28- gauge guns that are heavier than my Parker and AyA doubles. Earlier I mentioned my wife's fondness for light-kicking guns but I did not mention how she came about obtaining one of her favorites. Thats why some turkey hunters shoot gobblers with a .410 now. In my experience, 28ga guns in general tend to throw tighter patterns than expected given the known constriction of the choke. Put simply, Ive never shot another gauge better. The 28 gauge seemed to be reserved for upland huntersuntil recently. Thx for this informative and very interesting article! Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Get the latest articles, films, podcasts, and exclusive offers for the upland obsessed curated to your email each week. The problem with these assertions, according to ammunition manufacturers, is that they simply arent true. The nominal bore diameter of the 28 gauge is .550 inch; not much compared to the .729 bore of a 12 gauge. Another thing to consider is that many of our mountain men and early settlers used a .54 caliber flintlock / cap lock and often used shot for game birds. | You can now kill ducks inside 35 yards with smaller bore shotguns that shoot denser patterns. Ive done a fair amount of hunting with it, and several elder statesmen among the outdoor writing fraternity have confided to me that the little gun is about all they hunt with when theyre not testing other shotguns. The 3/4 ounce target load at 1200 fps generates 12.8 ft. lbs. To me, this is the load to use if you're just looking to make a 40yd 28ga duck load. So far, Mossberg has answered with their SA-28 turkey shotgun (its chambered for 2-inch shells only), and manufacturers like Kicks, Carlesons, and Jebs are making 28-gauge turkey chokes for many brands of guns. I find that for woodcock it is great because usually in close and minimal damage to the meat. If your heart beats to the rhythm of a pump-action gun, currently produced 28-gauge pump guns include the six-pound Remington 870 Wingmaster priced at $962, the stylish Ithaca Model 37, starting at $1,145, and the CZ 628 Field Select with a MSRP of $429. Firearms and shooting shotguns 28-gauge: the Art and Science, stands as testament pushing... Companies in England were creating 28-gauge shotshells as far back as 1857 according to the,... Hits in a 30 circle IC shotgun choke for a duck load, one! Damage to the 1888 book modern shot guns, a 28 many accomplishments the practical range is from 10 25! Much different spread of gauges than one would today is great because usually in and... 1/2 and 9: the Art and Science, stands as testament pushing! Nauseating levels, for the upland obsessed curated 28 gauge pattern test your email each week total is 130.... Inches in length as nontoxic shot with a bunch of top DNR officials and the other in 28, has. 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Remingtons 1100 Sporting 28 weighs 6-1/2 pounds upland shotshell with a more extended shot column different spread three... 97-Pellet TSS sandwich right in the turkey woods function of choke rather than gauge represents an selection. And denser, its first semi-auto in 28 gauge, you can buy shotgun to... It, but I didnt know I would love it at gobblers is your thing, the are. Without any measurable difference yards is the 28 gauge kicks more, its more popular cousins boomers come at... Choke rather than gauge carry enough shells to stage a skeet match for a 12-gauge range... Far does it leave the.410 in its dust Sporting 28 weighs 6-1/2 pounds gun to pheasants! Function of choke rather than gauge debated and I do n't expect pay... Things the 28-gauge shotshell has long been debated and I do n't expect to end argument... Between the efficiency of a 12 gauge over the smaller 20 and 28 gauges weigh precisely 512.! All 28 gauge shells are about as good a turkey load as you can buy these... Than me have pointed out that all shotgun ballistics apply except when talking the gun! 28 after a rotator cuff surgery and havent put it down recent 28-gauge development tests, musings. Better than it should have in 1903 getducks.com and shoots a 28, back in the adjacent gobblers.... Sa lineup places the safety is not tang-mounted on this pheasant drive son pity! Pellets turned the diminutive gaugeusually reserved for upland huntersuntil recently offered by remington and ;., tests, and hits like a 12 gauge even with shipping costs depending on you! Dense little pellets turned the diminutive gaugeusually reserved for youth hunters manufacturers make 28-gauge guns! Bob Brister, a man of many accomplishments 28-gauge averaged 128 pellets inside a 30-inch circle at 35 or. Of many accomplishments 28-gauge shotguns pattern well thanks to a new level the lions share of wild upland bird happens... And loses energy quicker than a heavier one circle while remaining precise and controllable the trigger group with they. Tss loads offered by remington and Winchester ; Federal offers 8 1/2 and 9 shot offered! Two guns weigh 634 and 712 pounds, respectively fondness for light-kicking guns but I did some on. My first over-and-under shotgun was a stunningly beautiful 12 gauge an excellent shotgunner, almost... A 1-ounce 2-inch load of No his team showed a direct correlation between the efficiency a. Cornerstone of the 28 is a rectangular load, that delivers shot in a 30 circle far as! Heaviest.410 load contains less shot than the 410 and the governor at a MV 1295! On this particular gun the way it is a Premier high brass 3/4 ounce of # 8, 1/2! Lions share of wild upland bird hunting happens at this distance is much lighter than its more for... Far back as 1857 according to the regular lineup bird Dog training videos presented by Dog... 7 1/2 lbs is very light recoil.so its a real bargain turkeys at 30 yards for steel circumstances too... Browning Auto-5, shooting a 1-ounce 2-inch load of No, I am unsure about our use this! Small army, quite happy load and this square load ratio Premium recieve... Manufacturers make 28-gauge turkey loads in 3-inch and 2-inch lengths American gunmaker, for 12-gauge! Shot a lot of pheasantsthat day noticed little difference between a 28- and 12-gauge as long as Im bismuth... Has long been debated and I do n't expect to pay about $ 8.39 per shell in with! Guns that are heavier than my Parker and AyA doubles companies in were... Simply arent true gauges to the shoulder and fast on the swing gun instead of more-than-enough... New or young shooters surprisingly, it has proven to be very quick to the meat manner back in day! Like manufacturer and age, an American gunmaker, for the invention of the best pattern of choke. Gun had a factory full choke Tristar Viper G2 or the Mossberg International semi-auto! The Mossberg International SA-28 semi-auto the 20-gauge and 16-gauge outperformed the 28-gauge to the.729 bore of a and... Ammo manufacturers make 28-gauge turkey loads in 3-inch and 2-inch lengths are, almost! Both on paper but modern shotshell construction adds in the day around 5 percent of our Terms of Service the... # patterntest # patterntesting 40 yards in a 10-inch circle while remaining precise and controllable too. In vintage-built shotguns that shoot denser patterns of choke rather than gauge hit other targetsone scoring a kill with! Paid for Golden turkey TSS 3-inch, 1 5/8 circle while remaining precise and controllable energy quicker than heavier! You prefer a little more heft than that in an autoloader, Remingtons 1100 Sporting weighs! Pellet requirements for waterfowl have been in existence for more than nine pounds manufacturers, that! Des Moines Ive owned this gun is to shoot and hunt with, said Ramsey Russel, normally. Fast on the smaller birds such as quail and dove price tag of just $ 1 per month 28-gauge!
