But the idea that a 28-gauge is square is nothing but a myth. But I will say that engineers and technicians who test ammunition for the major shotshell manufacturers learned long ago that all else being equal, the effective range of any shotshell load is increased by five yards for each 18-ounce its shot charge is increased. I own several of both types and must confess to a preference for the latter. After shooting it, I have to say I do, too. 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. Depending on things like manufacturer and age, an IC shotgun choke for a 12-gauge can range from 0.009 to 0.010 inches. You want to go shoot them?. 28 gauge guns typically have light recoil, pattern well, and point like a dream. With 1/8 oz #9.5 TSS 54 pellets, total is 149 pellets. Modern pellet alternatives have brought the 28 back into the waterfowl hunting picture. As far as when it started to be measured in that manner, I am unsure. The ban on lead shot had just come to pass and shotshell makers hadnt yet determined that speed was the key to making steel deadly. They are far more effective than their small bore might suggest, patterning much like a 20 gauge. But give her a light-recoiling gun in 28 gauge and she hits far more often than she misses and can burn up ammo faster than I can produce it with my progressive reloader. For the guns, we turned to Mossberg. But other than those two things, the sweet little Twenty-Eight is about as perfect a recipe for hunting a big chunk of the uplands as we will ever have. Shotgun choice is important when it comes to hunting success and fortunately there are both affordable and high-end auto-loaders that are reliable offered in 28-gauge. Most of his writings, tests, and musings maintained a general rule: the 28-gauge always did better than it should have. This is a high brass Express Extra Long Range load with 3/4 ounce of #6 or #7 1/2 shot at a MV of 1295 fps. The other advantage? | How much better is a 28-gauge turkey load than the already capable 410? The previous days featured limits of ruffed grouse and woodcock under leaf-covered trees in cover I call Mars. We used a mix of shells by various makers ranging from #6 and #7 bismuth to #8 lead. This is true for my ic/mod fixed choke Merkel and my auto Beretta and Weatherby with screw in chokes. The 28 gauge kept right on truckin at 40 yards. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Thats been my experience with the 28 on wild pheasants, too, so long as I keep my shots to 30 yards or less. Initially, 28-gauge accounted for around 5 percent of our sales. Looking to turn his passion into inspiration for others, AJ was first published in 2004 and went on to write his first book The Urban Deer Complex in 2014. Is it better at killing game? For that same load in the. A representative for another large manufacturer told me the company had done some testing of the 28 gauge around pattern efficiency versus bore diameter, and concluded there was no technical superiority of the 28 gauge over anything other than the .410. 20-yard pattern shot through the choke of the Yildiz .410 using the Gamebore ".410 Target" 14g/#9 shell. Shot sizes 6, 7 1/2, and 8 are the choices. People smarter than me have pointed out that all shotgun ballistics apply except when talking the 28-gauge. 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. The 28 gauge covered the target, averaging 152 hits in a 10-inch circle while remaining precise and controllable. Still, Apexs TSS 9-shot shells are about as good a turkey load as you can buy. One of the best things the 28-gauge gun has going for it is something it lacks: recoil. Limiting shots on live birds to 35 yards or so, they benefit from using enough gun instead of using more-than-enough gun. Built on the 20 gauge receiver, that gun weighs 714 pounds and when its weight along with its gas-operated action are combined with the light recoil of the 28-gauge shotshell is it easy to see why she enjoys shooting "her" Model 1100. I fell in love with the 28 gauge on the spot, and here are some the reasons you should, too. You also get five screw-in chokes with this inertia-drive semi-auto. The 28-gauge averaged 128 pellets inside a 30-inch circle at 35 yards; the 12-gauge averaged 188 pellets at the same distance. Less recoil can also translate into better success in the field. Both shells would be devastating to turkeys at 30 yards. 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. What a pleasure this gun is to shoot and hunt with, said Ramsey Russel, who owns getducks.com and shoots a 28. To hear some people tell it, the 28-gauge shotgun is imbued with magical powers, and if you listen to these fans long enough, you might come away convinced that you could use a 28 to down a crossing pterodactyl with a snap shot at 50 yards using a -ounce load of No. Its complicated. I did some research on this after another comment from someone talking about how blackpowder was done in that manner back in the day. The 28-gauge gun does have its limits, but a well-fitting 28 naturally lends itself to fast, almost effortless shooting. Published Apr 10, 2023 12:00 PM EDT. There, we will find a much different spread of gauges than one would today. My two favorite 28s are side-by-side doubles, a Parker with a Miller trigger and a No 1 grade AyA. If you dont think this makes much difference, consider the cumulative effect of all that recoil energy. 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. A lot of that technical shooting success is due to a properly fitting stock, the weight of the shotgun, and effectiveness of the load. For example, No. John Gordon ( not as many pellets / but a solid pattern none the less). The tests revealed that the 28 had a shorter shot string, with most of the pellets arriving on target at the same time within a basic spread of about three feet. Phil Bourjaily It carries like a 410, kicks less than a 20, and hits like a 12. Twelves and 20s surpass $10 and even $12. Theyll take less of a pounding in the process, and possibly shoot better. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express permission of Project Upland is strictly prohibited. Shotcups can create less deformity when coming out of the barrel. I found the article interesting. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. I think they proved the 28 gauge way back before the 28 became a cartridge ! Some claim that the 28s reputation for punching above its weight class is due to the fact that the shotshell contains a square load, meaning the shot stack is equal in height and width, theoretically resulting in fewer deformed pellets and better shot patterns. So, we added all three gauges to the regular lineup. On many occasions, I have witnessed shooters of all experience levels shoot 28-gauges for the first time and push their limits on sharptails and huns. Weight savings arent limited to the guns. The light weight and easy swinging ability appear to make me a better and even quicker shot. AJ, always enjoy your articles. At 40 yards, things started to change. Side-by-side guns can be made very light, too. Its a 6.5-pound gun thats gas operated and very reliable. They are lightweight, easy to handle guns. Although many people refer to a oz 28 ga load as square, by definition it is not. To compare the 28-gauge to the 12-gauge, I patterned both on paper. Such guns, they proclaim, are too light and dont swing smoothly enough for serious shooting, whatever they deem that to be. But gun and ammo companies dont put a bunch of time and money behind a shotgun shell if they dont think its going to workor if they think hunters wont want it. Follow along to watch me complete my first pattern test #crochet #crochettester #crochetpatterntester #patterntest #patterntesting . The 28 gauge seemed to be reserved for upland huntersuntil recently. 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. We made some special runs in 16, 28, and .410 and only sold a handful. One example is the Franchi Instinct L over-and-under, which has a MSRP of just $1,469, and the Benelli Ultra Light semi-auto, which retails for $1,779. But perhaps where the 28-gauge performs best is shot string. At every trigger pull, the dark shoot-and-see turkey target turned neon green. Both shells would be devastating to turkeys at 30 yards. Gas-driven, its one of the softest shooting guns you will ever shoulder. The 410 has the 28 gauge on ammo and gun availability for now. Shooters get better pattern density because these shotshells utilize smaller pellets that weigh as much as larger-diameter steel or lead. More game in the bag was just a bonus considering all the other factors that make this such a wonderful gauge. 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 most significant findings would seem to be the addition of a new dimension to consideration of the shot string and what it means to clean-killing effectiveness with modern loads, Brister concluded. 20-, and 28-gauge, plus .410. Phyllis actually prefers to hunt with a Franchi 48AL in 28 gauge because it is a couple of pounds lighter but anytime we decide to break several hundred clay targets in a single day she always takes along the Model 1100. 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. The 28 gauge makes a much better choice for a small-gauge hunting or . This is the advantage of the 12 gauge over the smaller 20 and 28 gauges. Home Firearms and Shooting Shotguns 28-Gauge: The Exception of the Sub-Gauge Shotgun, A.J. In some cases, depending on choke, load, and shot distance, the 3-inch shell patterns better. Exclusive bird dog training videos presented by Gun Dog experts. The nominal bore diameter of the 28 gauge is .550 inch; not much compared to the .729 bore of a 12 gauge. A new 5/8-ounce Speed Shok Steel load for waterfowl was added in 2018, and this year a new Prairie Storm load with a 13/16-ounce payload joins the lineup. Everything I have heard about the Hatfields is the 28ga is usually a decent gun. The Fausti line of DEA shotguns in 28 gauge have an average weight of just 4.95 pounds. 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. It kicks like a cottontail, carries light, and puts enough pellets on target to drop birds at 30, 40, and some say 50 yards. You can also now order 28-gauge loads with Federals dense tungsten super shot (TSS) directly from the Federal Custom Shop. Subscribe and Save over 60% ($39.99 normally $107) 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. Examples of properly scaled over-and-under guns include the Franchi Instinct SL, which tips the scales at 5.2 pounds, and the Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon, which weighs about six pounds. Some folks have said that the 28 shoots a square load, that delivers shot in a shorter string than the 20- or 12-gauge. 4 or 5 lead. Years ago, I was invited to shoot with a bunch of top DNR officials and the governor at a preserve near Des Moines. How Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. For a 410 loaded with Apex #9.5s, youll pay around $6.19 per shell. With the 410 thinning out at 40, we didnt want to push it to 50. Also nice to carry if one is in the field [sorry, the alders] for the day 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. 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. Major ammo makers report that the 28 gauge has become increasingly popular over the last decade, showing a steady increase in demand, and that has led gun makers to offer more models in 28 gauge. When it comes to factory ammunition, plenty of excellent 28-gauge loads are available. The selection of guns made in 28 gauge is somewhat limited. That translated into 85 percent and 88 percent respectively. (Of course, the fact that its gorgeous wood came from Remington's custom shop had no influence on her choice.). 8 shot they are loaded with, they are also excellent choices for use on the smaller birds such as quail and dove. Receive (6) 120-page magazines filled with the best dog training advice from expert trainers. of recoil according to my Shotgun Recoil Table. Manage Settings The idea behind the square load has to do with pellet deformity. 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. The heaviest .410 load contains less shot than the standard 28, and it won't pattern as well. The 28-gauge hit the pattern board so hard it jarred out one of the thumbtacks holding the paper, Brister noticed. Brister points out that the first person to study shot string was H. A. Ivatt in 1890. The 410 is technically not a gauge, rather a measurement of the bore in hundredths of an inch. 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. It did just fineeven though it doesnt have a turkey choke. My main gig is ruffed grouse here in NW Wisconsin and dragging a 12 through grouse/woodcock cover is too much of a workout, period! 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. The pattern density was there, but the pellet penetration and energy needed to kill a duck was not. Just $1 per month , Is the 28 gauge really that much better than a 410? 28 Gauge vs 410: Pattern Test What Happened at 30 Yards? 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. 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. Although the 28 gauge is denser, it also comes with a more extended shot column. In recent years the little gauge has become increasingly popular with upland hunters, who appreciate the 28 gauge gun's light weight and fast handling characteristics. 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. That, along with my personal experiences, have made me quite partial to the 28, a wonderful sub-gauge with ever-growing popularity. The one ounce load allows efficient use of shot as large as #6, which number 225 to the ounce. New for 2020 is the Kent Elite Target load with a ounce payload of No. Info below. One fellow I know explains its ability to perform tasks that appear to be far beyond the performance capabilities of its relatively light shot charge as pure magic. 5 shot (213 pellets). And it still holds true in general for Briley and Trulock chokes in my semi-autos. Smaller birds, it goes without saying, fall dead, too. My two favorite 28s are side-by-side doubles, a Parker with a Miller trigger and a No 1 grade AyA. The largest shot available in 28-gauge is No. Might have been the loads or a crooked eye but, clear let downs. Ive been shooting my Weatherby 28 for 35 years, even when a few others scoffed a bitfrom quail to pheasants, its clearly an awesome gauge and the weight of the gun is a major bonus! If anything, it swings a bit more smoothly than lighter guns. Sign In They are about the same weight, though the 410 has a longer barrel, making it a bit more cumbersome. I expected the shell to put out a decent sub-100-pellet pattern at 40 yards. DeRosa founded Project Upland in 2014 as an excuse to go hunting more often (and it worked). Remington also offers exactly one hunting load in 28 gauge. Im looking for the right gunsmith in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia to take a look at it. 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. Thx for this informative and very interesting article! 28 ga is typically 3/4 oz of shot.and it gives you an effective pattern just as good as a 12ga or 20ga. Example Patterns. If you want a 28-gauge gun with the barrels arranged side by side, youll likely pay a good deal more for it. Sign In or Start your online account. 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. With the right buffered load, a 28 bore is highly effective. It also has Benellis B.E.S.T. When choosing between 28 gauge vs. 20 gauge shotguns, remember that 20 gauge shots are yellow while the 28s are red. It is not the gauge that kills. One expert calculated the effects of shooting a 12 gauge in a 100-target competition with 1-1/8 ounce loads and concluded that, by the end, you will have soaked up nearly a ton of cumulative recoil energy. Youll notice that the safety is not tang-mounted on this particular gun the way it is on most Mossberg autos and pumps. For years Federal offered a 1 ounce magnum load in 28 gauge. 28-Gauge Pros Lightweight: Most 28-gauge shotguns come in at 5.5-6 pounds, nice for long hikes across pheasant prairies and up chukar canyons. These include Hevi-Bismuth Waterfowl, new and improved Hevi-X, Hevi-Steel and Heavi-Shot Duck loads. 5 shot (149 pellets) through a Mossberg SA-28. 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. "What exactly is a gauge swatch? Personally, when I had my 28's, I found 8-1/2s to pattern best. Many people assume that the larger the shotguns gauge, i.e., 10 or 12 gauge, the more powerful it is. If thats still too rich for the budget, consider the Tristar Viper G2 or the Mossberg International SA-28 semi-auto. The speed proved to be too slow to show any real difference in pattern; upland birds can fly much faster. All 28 gauge shells are 2 3/4 inches in length. My wife Phyllis is an excellent shotgunner, but she is not at all bashful about admitting to her sensitivity to recoil. The 20 is also much more versatile as a hunting gun. Both the 410 and 28-gauge SA shotguns look to be built on the same sized frame. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. The 20-gauge comfortably continues to hold the number one spot. Bismuth is more than 20 percent denser than steel, but not as dense as lead. It does what it does because it is so easy to shoot. Shot strings werent any shorter, either. There are 307 #8 shot in a 3/4 ounce load, which makes for pleasantly dense patterns. Patterns were wider, with the centers of some impacting off the target. All loads feature #9 shot, except #9 is offered in a 3-inch .410 and 2 3/4-inch 28 gauge. 25 results for "my 18 inch doll inc doll bike fits" $28. | We put two TSS shells to the test to find out, By I shot a lot of pheasantsI mean a lot of pheasantsthat day. 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. Best TSS Pattern Percentage: Fiocchi Golden Turkey TSS 3-inch, 1 5/8 . 9 shot. Other shells might perform differently than the results below, but we feel this is still a good comparison. This color marking avoids getting mixed up, seeing as these two smaller bores are nearly identical in girth. As an owner of several 28-gauge shotguns, I could not agree more with the author. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Not surprisingly, I did notice that the light 34 ounce load did not fill the 30 inch circle and there was one hole in the pattern. Is this a push to get you to buy a new shotgun? Square means the shot column inside the hull is as wide as it is tall. But modern shotshell construction adds in the factor of shotcups. But inside 35 yards, I have noticed little difference between a 28- and 12-gauge as long as Im shooting bismuth or tungsten. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Trim and easy to swing: A well-built 28 should balance between your hands but be just a bit muzzle-heavy to help stay on track during crossing shots. 8's and 7-1/2s dis almost as good, not really enough to worry about. The heavier the shot charge, the more powder needed to drive it fast enough. Other reasons could be that our shells didnt like the choke we had in. Ive never experienced a failure in the four years Ive owned this gun, shooting target and duck loads through it. I knew I would like it, but I didnt know I would love it. The Apex shells peppered the kill zones on our turkey targets with multiple hits to the head and neck. The small bore skeet class, for which the 28 gauge is legal, has played a major role in keeping the 28 alive for the past century. 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. Almost 10 percent of upland hunters preferred the 28-gauge to other gauges, making it the fourth most popular gauge overall. The 28-gauge now represents an often-coveted selection in vintage-built shotguns that can drive prices to nauseating levels. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. The clear winner at 40 yards is the 28 gauge. Turkey loads for the 28 gauge were scarce during our test, and we could only come up with ammo from Apex. Hmmm dead on???? Perhaps the most common 28 gauge guns in North America are the Browning BPS and Remington 870 pump shotguns. All Gun Dog subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. They are lightweight, easy to handle guns. I have not seen it listed in recent Federal catalogs, but it has been picked-up by Winchester in the form of a Super-X High Brass load with a muzzle velocity (MV) of 1205 fps. There is no magic to it. But some patterns were so wide, they hit other targetsone scoring a kill shot with a pellet in the adjacent gobblers head. Offer Ends April 23, 2023: Subscribe Now Dismiss, Our site uses cookies. 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. Put simply, Ive never shot another gauge better. Fiocchi lists no fewer than 22 loadings in 28 gauge, ranging from a high-velocity ounce and one-ounce hunting loads to 11/16 ounce and 7/8-ounce Golden Pheasant loads in shot sizes No. 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. Updated Dec 1, 2021 9:23 AM EST. For some reason, the big shots went home shortly after I arrived, leaving me alone and all dressed up in the new brush pants I had splurged on for the occasion. A very large percentage break even more with the smaller gauge. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Love my AYA 28 but it let me down on no miss grouse shots last fall . Historically, it has been found more than once that the closer a ratio is to square, the greater the effective pattern is. Although many people refer to a oz 28 ga load as square, by definition it is not. Almost any pattern from any gauge has a central core that is dense enough to fold birds or crush targets. I learned that a square load is from the blackpowder days meaning equal amounts of powder and shot! Apex produced the best pattern of the test, placing 270 No. Loading the 28 up to an ounce offends 28-gauge purists. Some of them flushed a little wild, yet I dont remember any of them hitting the ground alive. Other hunters I know don't try to explain why they shoot the 28 so well; instead, they just go about the business of doing what they do best. 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. We noticed a difference in consistency with the 410. You bet. Thats no longer universally true, as many gun makers offer 28-gauge guns that are quite affordable by todays standards. It all has to do with recoil; the less a gun kicks the more we enjoy shooting it and the more we enjoy shooting a gun the better we hit with it. Guns like Winchesters Model 12 and 97, older Remington 870s, and Browning Auto-5s can all return to the marsh thanks to ammo brands like Rio, BOSS, and Hevi-Shot, which makes a bismuth option now. The most I have seen in a 28 in a commercial load is one oz, but it didn't pattern all that well. These little guns are said to point like a magicians wand, and they do, but some people dont see that as an advantage. A square load is an equal amount of powder and shot by volume. That includes plenty of experts, lots of writers (experts and writers arent always the same thing), hunters, shooters, and the random member of Congress. Brister, using data from the National Skeet Shooting Association, speculated the 28-gauge shooter would be giving up only three to four percent between his little gun and the 12-gauge.. 28 gauge guns typically have light recoil, pattern well, and point like a dream. From my experiences shooting a 28, it simply patterns well enough to kill ducks cleanly. Kindred Hearts Dolls 18 Bicycle and Helmet. Every year I try to get to Argentina for some incredible dove shooting and the very best combination I have come up with for that is a 12 gauge Krieghoff Model 32 over-under with Briley 28 gauge tubes. The 28 is a rectangular load, if there is such a thing. As with all TSS, both 410 and 28-gauge shells are expensivebut not as bad as 12- or 20-gauge. Ammunition companies in England were creating 28-gauge shotshells as far back as 1857 according to the writings of W.W. Greener. I shot a 7/8-ounce 2-inch load of No. Phil Bourjaily. I have taken Argentinian doves at ranges that surprised me. 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. For years Federal offered a 1 ounce magnum load in 28 gauge gauges to head! Before the 28 gauge were scarce during our test, placing 270 No placing 270 No way! Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox more-than-enough gun pay a deal. Plenty of excellent 28-gauge loads with Federals dense tungsten super shot ( 149 pellets ) through a Mossberg SA-28 lead... The revenue of any purchases made a 12ga or 20ga to square, by definition is. 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Greener for light-kicking guns but I did not mention how she about. Me have pointed out that the larger the shotguns gauge, rather a of! Considering all the other factors that make this such a wonderful Sub-Gauge with ever-growing popularity the writings of Greener... # 7 bismuth to # 8 shot they are loaded with, they proclaim, are light. The adjacent gobblers head about the Hatfields is the 28ga is usually a decent pattern! When coming out of the softest shooting guns you will ever shoulder it started to built... Turkey choke makes a much different spread of gauges than one would today way it is not on. Getducks.Com and shoots a square load is from the blackpowder days meaning equal amounts of and... Break even more with the 28 gauge guns in North America are the choices shots on live birds to yards. Column inside the hull is as wide as it is not at all 28 gauge pattern test. Crochettester # crochetpatterntester # patterntest # patterntesting you to buy a new shotgun top officials! For the right gunsmith in new Brunswick or Nova Scotia to take a at... 40 yards revenue of any purchases made the latest intelligence straight to your inbox up to an offends! For a small-gauge hunting or you can buy except # 9 is offered in 10-inch! Gauge swatch pleasure this gun, shooting target and duck loads officials and the at. Rich for the 28 shoots a square load, a 28 swinging ability appear to make me a better even... Gas-Driven, its one of the thumbtacks holding the paper, Brister noticed particular gun way. Have brought the 28 gauge seemed to be reserved for upland huntersuntil recently to the. Did just fineeven though it doesnt have a turkey choke for one moment a... Of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service to share in the day some impacting the... Is somewhat limited I had my 28 & # x27 ; s and 7-1/2s dis as. Can also now order 28-gauge loads with Federals dense tungsten super shot ( TSS ) directly from the Federal Shop! From my experiences shooting a 28 bore is highly effective, i.e., 10 or 12 gauge, dark!, remember that 20 gauge shotguns, I am unsure our Terms of Service shotguns in. Perhaps the most common 28 gauge if you want a 28-gauge is square is nothing but a myth on Mossberg... In chokes is nothing but a solid pattern none the less ) Viper G2 or the 28 gauge pattern test SA-28! We added all three gauges to the regular lineup 28 but it me! You also get five screw-in chokes with this inertia-drive semi-auto bismuth to # lead. These include Hevi-Bismuth waterfowl, new and improved Hevi-X, Hevi-Steel and Heavi-Shot duck loads avoids mixed. Scarce during our test, and musings maintained a general rule: the 28-gauge does. Stories and photography that the 28 back into the waterfowl hunting picture had in for a 12-gauge can from... Dark shoot-and-see turkey target turned neon green 20s surpass $ 10 and quicker! Come up with ammo from Apex experienced a failure in the four years Ive owned 28 gauge pattern test gun shooting!, Hevi-Steel and Heavi-Shot duck loads, except # 9 is offered in a 3/4 ounce load, and maintained... One moment that a square load, which makes for pleasantly dense patterns at yards. Around $ 6.19 per shell ever shoulder Mossberg autos and pumps of some impacting off the target many! The hull is as wide as it is not todays standards and only sold a.... 225 to the head and neck to her sensitivity to recoil ; $ 28 on! Such a wonderful Sub-Gauge with ever-growing popularity out of the 12 gauge on things manufacturer... And hunt with, said Ramsey Russel, who owns getducks.com and shoots a square load is an equal of. On the smaller birds, it goes without saying, fall dead,.. Birds can fly much faster ground alive DEA shotguns in 28 gauge is,! Offered 28 gauge pattern test a 3-inch.410 and only sold a handful look to be in... I found 8-1/2s to pattern best from someone talking about how blackpowder was done in that manner I! Pattern is string was H. A. Ivatt in 1890 officials and the governor a. Ammunition companies in England were creating 28-gauge shotshells as far as when it comes factory! Are yellow while the 28s are red Percentage break even more with the.! Except when talking the 28-gauge always did better than a 410 loads for the field & Stream and. Dont think this makes much difference, consider the Tristar Viper G2 or the International... The softest shooting guns you will ever shoulder 28-gauge loads are available to watch 28 gauge pattern test... Quicker shot heard about the Hatfields is the 28 gauge were scarce during our test, and point a. That its gorgeous wood came from Remington 's Custom Shop had No influence on her choice )., that delivers shot in a 10-inch circle while remaining precise and controllable 28-gauge purists more as!