20 vs 28 vs .410

If you are looking for a walking hunting gun for close or moderate ranges the 28, built on a true 28 gauge action is the true sweet spot for me. I have short quick 12's down to 6 lb, I see no point in lugging a 6 1/2 or 7 pound 20 or 28 for hunting. Range use yes, upland hunting no. And the cost of ammo for hunting is of no consideration. If your gun cost $500-1000-3000 why worry about $5-10 additional a box for 2-3 boxes, about the most most upland hunters use in a season unless you see a lot more birds than I do.
 
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I shoot a Weatherby SA 28 auto (not sold anymore?) which is a true 28 built on a 28 frame lighter than the 20 but hits every bit as hard with 7/8 ounce loads.Can pack that all day ..nice little gun cheaper than most Italians.
 
...nice question. I believe answer has much to do with the gun.

I have an SKB 100 in 20 ga, and have had superb success on Pheasant, with non-magnum loads.

Have become a 28 fanatic more recently, with an 1100 Sporting, a standard 1100, and a Ruger Red Label. The first was a Cooey 840, which I still have. I can do a lot with the 28, more than I initially expected. Use them a lot on grouse with no reservation.

I have a sweet Spanish .410 but do not like the ballistics of that gauge.
 
I just bought a Francotte sidelock 28 gauge. Looking forward to giving it a go in the grouse woods. And in total agreement with Ashcroft. The extra cost of the shells for hunting is immaterial to the cost of the rest of the adventure.....guns, gear, dogs, meals, gas etc. Makes me laugh when people complain. Range is different.
 
patricksbb391 said:
I have an SKB 100 in 20 ga, and have had superb success on Pheasant, with non-magnum loads.
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I have the same shotgun, 28" opened up to IC/M. It's perfect for grouse and woodcock.

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I have an over under SKB IC/Mod in the 20.
What I quickly discovered was that #6 Prairie Storm 2 3/4 patterned very tight.
However going from boreal forest bunnies to farmers grain field merely switching to Prairie Storm gave me a good 10-12 extra yardage. Pulled a double on sharptails this way at about 30 and 34 yards. Kept the #7.5 cheap Winchester for chasing bunnies in the dense spruce.
Perfect.
 
SuperCub said:
You're right they're not fast flyers. All I ever used in N. Ont was a 22LR. It sure was a shock when I moved to NB and had to switch to wing shooting with a shotgun in a hurry.
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Weird thing is down in southern ontario the very few grouse we get are like lightning taking off where as northern birds sometimes i have to throw rocks at them to make them fly
 
brybenn said:
Weird thing is down in southern ontario the very few grouse we get are like lightning taking off where as northern birds sometimes i have to throw rocks at them to make them fly
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I don't like lead in my meat, so shooting a sitting bird isn't a problem with me and my Win. 370 in 20 gauge with 7 1/2's.
 
I’ve hunted grouse, woodcock, pheasants, rabbits and hares extensively with 12, 20, 16 and .410. Never hunted with a 28.

With the aforementioned gauges that I’ve used, any perceptions I had were quickly dispelled on the skeet field in a quantified way. The .410 put me at an obvious disadvantage on flying targets.
 
One ounce of #7 1/2 - from a 20 gauge ( or from a 16 gauge - the birds won't know the difference.)

The 28 guage is a rich man's toy, and the .410 is a skeet gauge - an experts gun for wingshooting.
 
The 16 gauge would be a good answer if it was easy to find ammo for it. I've used 20 gauge for grouse and never had a day when it did too much damage, so I don't see the reason to go smaller. I consider the ammunition availability first before the ideal calibre in any firearm purchasing question. That is, if you want to use them rather than just look and touch.
 
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