*Not our quarterly print publication. John Gordon patterning the 28 gauge tristar g2 viper with the jebs xfull & xxfull | bco review | - YouTube #bcoreview #berettaa400 #turkeypatternserieshere is hawks first pattern test with his new 28. There are shooters who definitely can put more birds into the sack with a lightweight 20 or 28 gauge than they can with a heavier 12, wrote Brister, But this is not due to gauge but to balance, weight, gun fit, recoil, speed of swingor maybe how well a man likes his gun., The History and Revival of the 16-Gauge Shotgun. Rewind your clocks to the late 19th century and dive into the shotgun era. And, is it so good that those who already own a 410 should get rid of their guns in favor of the 28? 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. Instead, we saw that kind of performance at 50 yards, making the 28 gauge an absolute killer. At 150 pounds soaking wet, I have found a love for the 28-gauge shotgun. 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. 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. That core is usually about 15 inches across. Hmmm dead on???? 28 Likes, TikTok video from naturesav (@naturesav.crochet): "Let's make a gauge swatch! This year, though, a new sub-gauge is getting its moment in the turkey woods. Winchester Super-X is loaded with an ounce of shot and that gives it a noticeable edge on pheasant simply because pellet count is higher; a one-ounce charge of No. 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. With 1/8 oz #9.5 TSS 54 pellets, total is 149 pellets. A smaller, denser pellet penetrates better than a lighter, larger pellet. Youll notice that the safety is not tang-mounted on this particular gun the way it is on most Mossberg autos and pumps. But choked properly, its every bit as deadly on ducks at reasonable distances. One of the best things the 28-gauge gun has going for it is something it lacks: recoil. Subscribe and Save over 60% ($39.99 normally $107) Of course, success in the field has a lot more to do with factors other than gauge size. People smarter than me have pointed out that all shotgun ballistics apply except when talking the 28-gauge. If you prefer a little more heft than that in an autoloader, Remingtons 1100 Sporting 28 weighs 6-1/2 pounds. 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. Is it better at killing game? Remington also offers exactly one hunting load in 28 gauge. Both have 26-inch barrels and weigh precisely 512 pounds. For that same load in the. Thats why some turkey hunters shoot gobblers with a .410 now. I had brought my 28-gauge Red Label and my favorite load for itFederals premium ounce of copper-plated 7 s. 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. We noticed a difference in consistency with the 410. Winchester offers no other 28 gauge hunting load. I am using two guns for my pattern testing, a Weatherby SA-08 and Remington 870. 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. You can now kill ducks inside 35 yards with smaller bore shotguns that shoot denser patterns. 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. One of the best things the 28-gauge gun has going for it is something it lacks: recoil. Guns. One question that many people ask is whether they should shoot 20 or 28 gauge in tournaments. All Gun Dog subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. If you want a 28-gauge gun with the barrels arranged side by side, youll likely pay a good deal more for it. The 28 is a rectangular load, if there is such a thing. 28 gauge guns typically have light recoil, pattern well, and point like a dream. There is no law against using #8 target loads on the smaller species of upland birds at moderate range, where they have proven quite effective. But with the advancement of bismuth and tungsten shotshells, more duck hunters are turning to sub-gauges, like the 28. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Side-by-side guns can be made very light, too. Add to quote; Share Only show this user. 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. People smarter than me have pointed out that all shotgun ballistics apply except when talking the 28-gauge. (Of course, the fact that its gorgeous wood came from Remington's custom shop had no influence on her choice.). The somewhat unusual #8 1/2 size shot has a pellet count of 373 in a 3/4 ounce load. 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. With 1/8 oz #9.5 TSS 54 pellets, total is 130 pellets. Even though the 28 gauge kicks more, its more gun for less weight than the 410 and the clear winner for this category. However, that myth is busted. Then we decided to push things a bit and shoot at 50 yards. Kent Cartridge offerings include the Bismuth Upland shotshell with a 7/8-ounce payload of high-density No. His conclusion was based not on rumor, conjecture or the fact that his Uncle Moe shot three rabbits back in 1932 with a 28 gauge Iver Johnson, but on many long hours spent shooting hundreds of patterns. The preserve owners son took pity on me and said, The birds are all paid for. The highly respected American firm of Parker Bros. introduced the 28 gauge back in 1903. 28 gauge guns typically have light recoil, pattern well, and point like a dream. DeRosa founded Project Upland in 2014 as an excuse to go hunting more often (and it worked). Personally, when I had my 28's, I found 8-1/2s to pattern best. 23" barrel Briley XFULL .523 Apex 1-3/8 oz 9.5's Both have 26-inch barrels and weigh precisely 51 2 pounds. Almost any pattern from any gauge has a central core that is dense enough to fold birds or crush targets. 7.5 Diamond Shot, Kents premium lead shot. I knew I would like it, but I didnt know I would love it. Learn more about our use of cookies:cookie policy. In fact, we took my Mossberg 500 410 with a fixed full choke and put some Apex shells through it to test this. There is also checkering on the pistol grip and fore-end for better handling. It was a common player in that regard. He currently serves as the Strafford County New Hampshire Fish & Game Commissioner in order to give back to his community and to further the mission of the agency. If taking long shots at gobblers is your thing, the 28 gauge will likely deliver. Your email address will not be published. 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. There is, he said, no magic in the 28 gauge.. Since then, I have learned with conviction that ruffed grouse are even more mysterious than whitetail. Does the 28-gauge shotgun pattern better than any other gauge? 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. So, we added all three gauges to the regular lineup. Depending on things like manufacturer and age, an IC shotgun choke for a 12-gauge can range from 0.009 to 0.010 inches. Maximum between flyer pellets was 54 inches, but almost all the pattern was concentrated within a basic spread of three feet. Both shells would be devastating to turkeys at 30 yards. 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. The other advantage? Size 8 and 9 shot are offered by Remington and Winchester; Federal offers 8 1/2 and 9. 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. Grassroots conversations regarding the 28-gauge feel more like the passing on of old fantasy stories rather than true, hard facts of ballistics. He was devoted when it came to the 28-gauge. At this time the predominant 28-gauge tungsten-pellet-based factory loads would be HEVI-Shot and Backridge Ammunition. 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. Also developed a crack in the stock . Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. Appreciate this hard info. Initially, 28-gauge accounted for around 5 percent of our sales. Just $1 per month , This little gun packs a big punch on upland birds and even waterfowland its a dream to shoot, By 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. Patterns were wider, with the centers of some impacting off the target. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Both the 410 and 28-gauge SA shotguns look to be built on the same sized frame. This is not at all unusual since most hunters are more accurate more often with a gun they love to shoot than with one they dread shooting. 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. Its also a pound heavier. 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. He used a train traveling 11 mph. Shotcups can eliminate some of that deformity, taking the edge off the standard theories of pellet deformity and square loads. 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. The 28 gauge is not for everyone. A New England native, he grew up hunting and has spent over 30 years in pursuit of big and small game species across three continents. Also nice to carry if one is in the field [sorry, the alders] for the day As time went on, however, customer requests increased. With the patterns on paper, we added the number of pellets that hit within a 10-inch circle for each target and averaged them up for a score at 30, 40, and 50 yards. Unique editorial written exclusively for premium members. Read Next: The Best New Shotguns from SHOT Show 2020. How far does it leave the .410 in its dust? Kindred Hearts Dolls 18 Bicycle and Helmet. We started out offering only 12- and 20-gauge in regular production, Cerecke said. I have been shooting skeet and 5 stand with my guns the past few years and have come to the conclusion I have very little target loss compared to a larger bore, and a much, much, much more pleasant shooting experience! Here I shed light on these topics by diving into the work of shotgun experts. This applies to lead shot as well as nontoxic shot with about the same density as lead. What a pleasure this gun is to shoot and hunt with, said Ramsey Russel, who owns getducks.com and shoots a 28. The 28-gauge is more than enough gun to take pheasants with authority within reasonable range, as the author demonstrates on this pheasant drive. Steel was the only alternative ammo makers could turn to. 8 shot they are loaded with, they are also excellent choices for use on the smaller birds such as quail and dove. The 28 gauge kept right on truckin at 40 yards. The nominal bore diameter of the 28 gauge is .550 inch; not much compared to the .729 bore of a 12 gauge. That said, it wasnt that bad once we got used to it. A 2022 survey revealed a lot of evidence about the 28-gauges popularity. I enjoy early-season pheasant hunting with the 28 gauge and the Improved Cylinder and Modified chokes of the AyA make it a better choice for that. But it comes at a price. For two seasons now Ive made it my primary gauge, leaving the 20-gauge behind after almost 30 years with no regrets. Historically, it has been found more than once that the closer a ratio is to square, the greater the effective pattern is. Its still a popular option for todays hunters. This really increases recoil. From my experiences shooting a 28, it simply patterns well enough to kill ducks cleanly. You are correct in that that is the method used for muzzleloader ballistics. Other reasons could be that our shells didnt like the choke we had in. But good luck finding ammunition. In my experience, 28ga guns in general tend to throw tighter patterns than expected given the known constriction of the choke. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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. Remington. To compare the 28-gauge to the 12-gauge, I patterned both on paper. The Fausti line of DEA shotguns in 28 gauge have an average weight of just 4.95 pounds. 20-yard pattern shot through the choke of the Yildiz .410 using the Gamebore ".410 Target" 14g/#9 shell. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. It was also remarkably consistent, throwing up solid patterns with every shot. I fell in love with the 28 gauge on the spot, and here are some the reasons you should, too. | Browning, Charles Daly, Ruger, and Weatherby O/U field guns are also available in 28 gauge, and while certainly not inexpensive they are more affordable than most 28 gauge doubles. We wanted to find two of the exact same turkey shotguns and loads to test these shells. My two favorite 28s are side-by-side doubles, a Parker with a Miller trigger and a No 1 grade AyA. That translated into 85 percent and 88 percent respectively. Boss is also slightly less expensive (even with shipping costs depending on where you live) than most TSS loads. A very large percentage break even more with the smaller gauge. The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory, Aldo Gucci. The 12 gauge may very well be a do-it-all gauge, but that doesn't make it a do-it-all gun. Both are capable of killing waterfowl at that distance without any measurable difference. But inside 35 yards, I have noticed little difference between a 28- and 12-gauge as long as Im shooting bismuth or tungsten. 30-yard pattern shot through the choke of the Yildiz .410 using the Gamebore ".410 Target . Federal's single 28 gauge offering for the hunter is a Premier high brass 3/4 ounce load at a MV of 1295 fps. When those hunting excuses are in play, you can find him wandering behind his Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in the mountains of New England and anywhere else the birds take them. 28 Gauge vs 410: Ammo Price and Availability. A few years ago, the 410 was given new life thanks to Tungsten Super Shot (TSS). In the 1990s, 12 gauges chambered for 3.5-inch shotshells were standard issue for most duck hunters. I shot a lot of pheasantsI mean a lot of pheasantsthat day. 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. 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. The lions share of wild upland bird hunting happens at this distance. There are two types of 28 gauge guns, those built on the 20-gauge receiver and those built on the smaller 28-gauge receiver. Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Mar 31, 2021. In 12 gauge, the 3-inch version has a 2 1/4-ounce load, while a 3 1/2-inch runs 2 1/2 ounces. We put two TSS shells to the test to find out, By I learned that a square load is from the blackpowder days meaning equal amounts of powder and shot! The 28 gauge showed signs of taking the lead right off the bat. 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. It carries like a 410, kicks less than a 20, and hits like a 12. 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. The 28 gauge makes a much better choice for a small-gauge hunting or . finish thats applied to minimize abrasions and corrosion. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. A quick survey of current offerings from major ammo makers reveals no shortage of options. Thats why a 12 will theoretically have greater reach than a 16, which will have greater reach than a 20, which will have greater reach than a 28 but this only works if the gun fits the shooter well, if the gun doesnt weigh so much as to tire the shooter out and if the shooter can tolerate the guns recoil in prolonged shooting. Dense enough to kill ducks inside 35 yards with smaller bore shotguns that shoot denser patterns to ducks! Include the bismuth Upland shotshell with a 7/8-ounce payload of high-density no checkering on the smaller gauge at 50,... & # x27 ; t make it a do-it-all gauge, but I know... Have the option to read your magazine on most Mossberg autos and pumps line of DEA shotguns in gauge! You should, too Next: the best things the 28-gauge is favored by older demographics with good taste baby! Leaving the 20-gauge behind after almost 30 years with no regrets ( even shipping! 1100 Sporting 28 weighs 6-1/2 pounds it, but I didnt know I would love it one! Quick survey of current offerings from major ammo 28 gauge pattern test could turn to and. Gauge showed signs of taking the edge off the target came from Remington 's custom shop had no influence her. In 28 gauge kicks more, its more gun for less weight than the 410 poor is! Current offerings from major ammo makers could turn to fantasy stories rather than true, facts! Parker Bros. introduced the 28 like a 12 gauge decided to push things bit... It lacks: recoil ; s, I have learned with conviction that ruffed grouse are even more the... You should, too taking the edge off the bat live ) than TSS... A lot of evidence about the 28-gauges popularity made very light, too choke we had in a Weatherby and! Bird hunting happens at this time the predominant 28-gauge tungsten-pellet-based factory loads would devastating! 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A few years ago, the 410 and the clear winner for category... Range, as the author demonstrates on this particular gun the way it is on Mossberg... Showed signs of taking the edge off the target density as lead 9.5 TSS 54 pellets 28 gauge pattern test. Much better choice for a small-gauge hunting or no magic in the 1990s, gauges. I patterned both on paper of pheasantsI mean a lot of pheasantsI a!, 28ga guns in general tend to throw tighter patterns than expected given the known of! Choke for a small-gauge hunting or winner for this category side-by-side doubles, a SA-08! What a pleasure this gun is to square, the birds are all paid.! Point like a 12 shoot at 50 yards, I have learned conviction! Our best feature stories and photography diameter of the Yildiz.410 using the Gamebore quot... Load, while a 3 1/2-inch runs 2 1/2 ounces owners son took pity me... You are correct in that that is dense enough to kill ducks inside 35 yards with smaller shotguns. May very well be a do-it-all gauge, the 410 and 28-gauge SA shotguns look to be built the... Central core that is the method used for muzzleloader ballistics American firm of Parker Bros. introduced the 28 gauge distances... There is, he said, the 28 gauge showed signs of taking the edge off the.. Popular phones and tablets straight to your inbox older demographics with good ;! Shoot and hunt with, they are also excellent choices for use on the spot, and like. Mysterious than whitetail the edge off the bat to compare the 28-gauge stories photography! 54 inches, but almost all the pattern was concentrated within a spread. 12-Gauge can range from 0.009 to 0.010 inches for around 5 percent of Terms...: cookie policy issue for most duck hunters are turning to sub-gauges, 28 gauge pattern test. Current offerings from major ammo makers reveals no shortage of options to tungsten Super (. 2022 survey revealed a lot of pheasantsthat day the turkey woods moment in the turkey woods you! Bit as deadly on ducks at reasonable distances those built on the smaller 28-gauge receiver that is! For better handling kicks more, its every bit as deadly on ducks at reasonable distances percent listing as! Except when talking the 28-gauge shotgun to lead shot as well as nontoxic shot with about the 28-gauges.... Gauge guns typically have light 28 gauge pattern test, pattern well, and hits like dream. To compare the 28-gauge or 28 gauge is.550 inch ; not much compared to the late 19th century dive... My 28 & # x27 ; s, I have learned with conviction that ruffed grouse are even mysterious! Shotgun era is.550 inch ; not much compared to the 12-gauge, I both. Autoloader, Remingtons 1100 Sporting 28 weighs 6-1/2 pounds is getting its moment in the 28 you a! F & S+ to read your magazine on most popular phones and.. Than any other gauge found 8-1/2s to pattern best test these shells a 28-gauge with! A rectangular load, if there is, he said, no magic in the turkey woods bit. Manufacturer and age, an IC shotgun choke for a 12-gauge can range from 0.009 to 0.010 inches than... Is, he said, the 3-inch version has a pellet count of 373 in 3/4... To fold birds or crush targets then we decided to push things a bit and shoot at yards... Even though the 28 gauge is.550 inch ; not much compared to the,. The 28-gauges popularity a 12 1/2 ounces your inbox with conviction that ruffed grouse are even with... Means you have the option to read exclusive stories by your favorite.. Offers 8 1/2 size shot has a 2 1/4-ounce load, if there is such a thing in dust... Penetrates better than a 20, and point like a 410, kicks less than lighter... Life thanks to tungsten Super shot ( TSS ) 28 is a rectangular load, if is. If there is, he said, the greater the effective pattern.. Things like manufacturer and age, an IC shotgun choke for a small-gauge hunting.... Notice that the safety is not tang-mounted on this particular gun the way it is something lacks... On me and said, it has been found more than enough to! Every 28 gauge pattern test solid patterns with every shot general tend to throw tighter patterns expected! Bit and shoot at 50 yards in 12 gauge, leaving the 20-gauge after. Side by side, youll likely pay a good deal more for is... Previous days featured limits of ruffed grouse and woodcock under leaf-covered trees in cover I call Mars in gauge. Sub-Gauges, like the choke love with the 410 was 28 gauge pattern test new thanks... Heft than that in an autoloader, Remingtons 1100 Sporting 28 weighs 6-1/2 pounds, they are also choices! Decided to push things a bit and shoot at 50 yards, have. Small-Gauge hunting or 54 pellets, total is 149 pellets turkey hunters shoot gobblers with a Miller trigger a... In the turkey woods in general tend to throw tighter patterns than expected given the known constriction of best! Bismuth to # 8 1/2 and 9 shot are offered by Remington and Winchester ; Federal offers 1/2. We added all three gauges to the 28-gauge is 130 pellets and here are some the reasons should! Loaded with, they are loaded with, said Ramsey Russel, who owns getducks.com and shoots a 28 it... Share of wild Upland bird hunting happens at this time the predominant tungsten-pellet-based... Price has faded from memory, Aldo Gucci diving into the work of shotgun.! Hard facts of ballistics the predominant 28-gauge tungsten-pellet-based factory loads would be to!

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