20 ga. vs. 28 ga. for grouse

D

drakes only

Member
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
OK, what takes the cake as a better overall gauge for grouse, 20 gauge or the 28 gauge?

I'm contemplating adding a 28 gauge to my collection. Ammunition cost and availability aside, what is the better choice?

Thanks
 
The 12 gauge....

Next best the 16,
The 20,
Then the 28.

Simply put, the more lead you launch the better the odds if properly choked for the situation. However both the 20 and the 28 are easily adequate for Grouse.

The advantages of the sub-gauges is the lighter carrying weight but not recoil reduction per se. A 3/4 oz load at 1300fps recoils less in a 7 1/2 lb gun than a 5 1/2 lb 28.

Back to the meat of the question, 20 or 28 with no accounting for ammo cost or availability.

As much as I love the mystical 28, I have to go with the 20 as the overall winner. There are more loads to choose from, letting you extend your species list to Pheasants, Geese, Ducks or Deer. By far you will find that the 28 will be heavier than the 20 in the same model gun as they use the same receiver for both and the 28's barrels will be of thicker wall dimensions.. unless..... you are willing to pay big bucks for a gun that has its receiver scaled(smaller/lighter) to the 28.
With all the logic above though, everyone needs to experience the mystical 28 in the Grouse woods.
 
Both are good choices....but for grouse over a dog, or just flushing, I have found the 28 to be outstanding...I usually use target Remington 8's, and at 10 bucks a box..they work great. I also bought a box of heavy hunting 6's.(21 bucks)..they smash grouse like thors hammer..I started with a semi, sold it, got a great light little s/s from CZ..and really liked it..but let it go also..now I have a 25" Mod 12 browning with chokes, that is excellent.
 
All the 28's I have owned wwere on scaled frames except for one, it's my son's gun now and he loves it.
We shoot everything from ducks and geese to pheasants and ruffies with them and have not troubles at all.

I also use a 20 gauge .
I have used all gauges for ruffed grouse and do not like to hunt with anything but a light gun, and that kills most of the bigger gauges.
I prefer to hunt with a light , fast swinging 28 like my Ugartechea model 75
2011birdhuntpics063.jpg


I have found no difference between the 20 and the 28 except for the weight of the guns, my 28 load for birds is 7/8oz of shot behind 30 grains of Hh110 and a BPHV28 wad.
I do not shoot factory ammo at all unless it is steel in my 20 however....
Cat
 
catnthehatt said:
All the 28's I have owned wwere on scaled frames except for one, it's my son's gun now and he loves it.
We shoot everything from ducks and geese to pheasants and ruffies with them and have not troubles at all.

I also use a 20 gauge .
I have used all gauges for ruffed grouse and do not like to hunt with anything but a light gun, and that kills most of the bigger gauges.
I prefer to hunt with a light , fast swinging 28 like my Ugartechea model 75
2011birdhuntpics063.jpg


I have found no difference between the 20 and the 28 except for the weight of the guns, my 28 load for birds is 7/8oz of shot behind 30 grains of Hh110 and a BPHV28 wad.
I do not shoot factory ammo at all unless it is steel in my 20 however....
Cat
Click to expand...

Great photo there Cat.
Pheasants, Chukars and a best friend to boot......
Cheers.
 
Myself, i'd get the 28 if it's a dedicated bird/rabbit gun you're looking for. Light, moderate recoil and packs a mean punch. Can't go wrong in my books. I've used one ever since i was a wee lad (as well as 12,16, 20 and .410 bore) and the old Remington 812 isn't in great shape anymore so i'm thinking about looking into what Browning and Ithaca have to offer. Also, those CZ doubles look very interesting as well....Choices, choices... :D
 
I gotta agree with the guys that say go with the 12 gauge...the more lead (or shot) the more birds in hand!
 
More lead less meat.A 28ga will smoke birds out to 40 yards.Sure folds up pigeons....Harold
 
Last edited:
Strictly new at the 28ga here but I have a minty 28" barrel Cooey 840 FC that is pure death on whatever it is pointed at.Cleaned out a old barn full of pigeons for the brother in-law and 40 yards is still in the kill zone with 7 1/2's.Shot a few grouse as well, if lead were legal I'd jump shoot mallards with it as well with heavier shot.............Harold......a nice O/U,side by each or auto loader would be Heaven
 
mbogo3 said:
Strictly new at the 28ga here but I have a minty 28" barrel Cooey 840 FC that is pure death on whatever it is pointed at.Cleaned out a old barn full of pigeons for the brother in-law and 40 yards is still in the kill zone with 7 1/2's.Shot a few grouse as well, if lead were legal I'd jump shoot mallards with it as well with heavier shot.............Harold......a nice O/U,side by each or auto loader would be Heaven
Click to expand...
Nice shot, hevi shot, and ITX are readily available for hand loading, and you can buy Winchester steel now form the 28!:)
Cat
 
A 12 is not needed. The lighter the gun, the more enjoyable the hunt. I'd love to get a 28 gun, but I've got a sidelock 12 that hasn't killed a bird yet . . .
 
The 28 gauge handles very well anything I hunt in the uplands.Have used a 28 gauge for decades with no trouble bagging game.
 
Not all "grouse" are created equal! If you are talking about ruffed and spruce grouse, i would agree that a 28 gauge is about ideal. For late season sharptails, an open choked 28 would be a handicap. I find sharptails at this time of year are pretty much needing a 12 or 16ga., full or modified choke and 6's or 5's. Any Ruffed or Spruce grouse that I have ever hunted could have been taken reliably with 3/4oz of 7-1/2's out of an IC 28. Depends on your birds and local conditions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom