[daleeman]

First, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a grand new year.

Lately I find myself longing for a 28 guage. Been shooting 12 guages all my life, started with a 410 and still enjoy the over under squirrel and rabit gun I have.

Wondering how many 28 guage shooters are out there? Should I focus my 2016 gun funds on one? What hunting can I expect to do well with one?

 

[North country gal]

I used both the 20 and 28, back in my bird hunting days.

The 28 has more of a cult following, just something about it that most folks love. One thing to understand, though, before shopping for one, is that a lot of 28s are built on a 20 gauge frame, so they are no lighter or trimmer than a 20. In fact, such guns can actually be heavier. Try to find a true 28, meaning a 28 that is scaled down to the gauge, not just a 20 gauge with 28 gauge barrels. Not sure what's out there, these days, but I'm sure someone will chime in.

I used the 28 for pheasants, but only over good dogs where shots were up close, not for shots at wild birds flushing out way ahead of the dogs. Also makes a good quail gun and a decent gun for doves, but again, up close, not for pass shooting. Don't try to make the 28 do what it is not designed to do and it will serve you, well.

On the practical side, very expensive to shoot unless you reload and ammo is not always easy to find, nor is selection all that great. In truth, a light 20 is a far more versatile gun and more practical to shoot. Much better all around bird gun.

 

[Loose Noose]

Not a thing I can add to No. Country Gal, she said it all. I shoot a .410, 20ga, 16ga, and the 12ga. Had a friend that consistently used the 28ga, but he to reloaded, in order to make it much more affordable. BTW my friend was deadly with that little O/U 28ga, especially with quail, or pheasant, using my German Shorthair that I had at the time.

 

[daleeman]

I guess its the cult following calling my name or maby its the desire to be a little bit elete and get all puffed up saying a shoot a 28.

This fall I traded a S&W J fame and some cash for a used 20 guage Wingmaster. Factory machine engraved I pegged my one grandaughter to grow into it. I have only shot it 75 rounds and logically should experience that more before creating the money hole of the 28 guage. Just something about the 28 I am called to. Wonder if I can rent one.

Merry Christmas

 

[Genoa Bob]

Hi to All,

I guess I am a true 28 ga. nut. I use a 28 side by side to hunt with. I have been able to hunt most North American species with some success. I love the little gun, it so easy to carry for this 73 year old guy. Yes the ammo is more expensive and not always available locally. I get mine mostly from the internet and even have it shipped ahead when possible.

As has been pointed out finding a gun that is a true 28 ga. size is the key to reaping the little guns main advantage, it's lightness. At the end of a day's hunt, you will come to appreciate this feature and the lighter recoil.

I will forewarn you, you will meet with some initial ribbing from your fellow hunters about shooting such a dainty little gun. It's only when you are the first to limit out that it finally stops.

Mine has 30" barrels and is bored IM and Full. I either bring the bird down or miss cleanly. It will easily bring down a pheasant at over 30 yards. My preferred ammo is Winchester 1 oz loads in 7 1/2 and 6's.

I hope that you choose to join those us who love the little gun.

Bob

 

[happypuppy]

I used to hunt doves in the 60s with a guy that had a Winchester 21 in 28 gauge. The loads are lighter but not that much. 1 oz vs 1 1/4 oz for quail and dove

 

[North country gal]

I guess its the cult following calling my name or maby its the desire to be a little bit elete and get all puffed up saying a shoot a 28.

This fall I traded a S&W J fame and some cash for a used 20 guage Wingmaster. Factory machine engraved I pegged my one grandaughter to grow into it. I have only shot it 75 rounds and logically should experience that more before creating the money hole of the 28 guage. Just something about the 28 I am called to. Wonder if I can rent one.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you, too.

There are 870s out there in 28 gauge and, in the past, I have had the pleasure of shooting an 1100 in 28 gauge. Lots of fun.
I think CZ markets a Turkish made 28 gauge double, too. Reasonably priced, at least as doubles go.

 

[milgunsguy]

Remington model 11-48 autos came in 28 gauge

I have one in mint condition with the pre-64 checkering. It's a fast-swinging, truly featherweight shotgun.

 

[daleeman]

Ya got me twitching

 

[Waveform]

My experience with the 28 ga is limited to one of my very good customers who invited me to shoot skeet at his club. I don't have a "proper" skeet gun and he allowed me to use his Ceasar Guerini 28 ga. I need all the help I can get and couldn't hit much of anything with it. We saved all the empty hulls though - "because 28 ga shells are expensive" he said.

Weeks later I was at his house and sure enough he had the setup in his garage to reload his 28 ga hulls. In his 5 car garage. Over against the wall past the Lexus (wife's everyday car), the Porsche Cayenne (his everyday driver), the Bentley and the Ferrari was his reloading bench.

That's when I decided the 28 ga might be a little too expensive for me.

 

[daleeman]

My experience with the 28 ga is limited to one of my very good customers who invited me to shoot skeet at his club. I don't have a "proper" skeet gun and he allowed me to use his Ceasar Guerini 28 ga. I need all the help I can get and couldn't hit much of anything with it. We saved all the empty hulls though - "because 28 ga shells are expensive" he said.

Weeks later I was at his house and sure enough he had the setup in his garage to reload his 28 ga hulls. In his 5 car garage. Over against the wall past the Lexus (wife's everyday car), the Porsche Cayenne (his everyday driver), the Bentley and the Ferrari was his reloading bench.

That's when I decided the 28 ga might be a little too expensive for me.

Now that one hit me in the wallet. I almost feel like I should close the thread after that eye opener.

 

[Ken OCarbre]

Nah that's how people get wealthy. Not tossing money out the window just because they can.

Sorry I've nothing to offer on a 28 gauge.

 

[popplecop]

I have only 1 RRL and it is a 28 ga. with 28" bbls. plus have the full length Tubes in 410 that Briley made for Ruger. Yes we handload the 28 as between son, grandson and I we have 5 of the 28s. I really think every grouse and woodcock hunter ought to treat themselves to one, also doves. My favorite is a SxS with 30" bbls. choked IC and F. Love that combo.

 

[BayouBob]

If you really get the fever, Benelli makes an ultralight 28 gauge that weighs less than 5 pounds. It is a delight to shoot but it is a little pricey at around $1,700. Franchi also made a super light 28 gauge that feels really good. Not sure if they still make it. On the inexpensive side Yildiz makes a neat little 28 gauge O/U on their 20 gauge frame. In the U.S. it is only available at Academy Sports. They run just over $500 and are fine shotguns for the money.