28 Gauge Guestion?

The 28 gauge is a fantastic upland game gun.there is just not enough of a selection of shot sizes available.And forget the slugs ,nobody makes them anymore.

Even though 28 gauge slugs are no longer manufactured you can usually find some at gun shows.They may not always be on display but if you look and ask around sooner or later you usually come up with some.In most cases Imperial.I have a fair amount of both Imperial slugs and balls.THe last show I was at a fellow had a box of Imperial 28 gauge slugs for sale right on his table.
 
We are keenly aware of that, however 5's are our prefered size for pheasants and I'm sure you will agree that a 28 will not pattern as efficiently with 5's as a 20 will, also I have never been able to show a meaningful pattern improvement with 1 ounce 28 loads over 3/4ounce loads.

A 28 is the perfect Chukar gun.
I've patterened the various shots weights in both gauges with #6 shot and don't disagree on the 1 ounce versus 3/4 on the 28. I've not done it with #5 because no factory that I'm aware of is loading #5 in 28 gauge.

What I have seen on the board is that at 40 yards with a modified choke or tighter my pellet percentages and distribution with 3/4 ounce 28 gauge are sufficient to take pheasants at that distance. I didn't see a significant advantage in the 20 gauge compared with 7/8s ounce loads using the same brand of ammunition and choke.

Comparing 1 ounce to 1 ounce there weren't any holes a pheasant could scoot through with either gauge at 40 yards. But people should pattern their guns to see what works well for them. I have no hestitation to using the 28 gauge on preserve pheasants when shots are kept within 40 yards.
 
Claybuster,Winchester now offers a 1 ounce 28 gauge load with number 5 shot.At present Challenger loads the largest size shot available ,as far as I know for a factory 28 gauge load.It is a 3/4 ounce of number 4 shot.
 
Claybuster,Winchester now offers a 1 ounce 28 gauge load with number 5 shot.At present Challenger loads the largest size shot available ,as far as I know for a factory 28 gauge load.It is a 3/4 ounce of number 4 shot.
Thanks. I've seen the Challenger #4 but not the Winchester. Is it a new offering?
 
Comparing 1 ounce to 1 ounce there weren't any holes a pheasant could scoot through with either gauge at 40 yards. But people should pattern their guns to see what works well for them. I have no hestitation to using the 28 gauge on preserve pheasants when shots are kept within 40 yards.

I will not argue that a 28 will not be effective on preserve pheasants, I think I was misunderstood, at the Preserve we like to see at least a 20 because the majority of the people are less than stellar shots and the slight leeway that a heavier payload and slightly better patterning allows makes a difference. Where are you loacated Claybuster I would love to see your 28 in action.
 
I will not argue that a 28 will not be effective on preserve pheasants, I think I was misunderstood, at the Preserve we like to see at least a 20 because the majority of the people are less than stellar shots and the slight leeway that a heavier payload and slightly better patterning allows makes a difference. Where are you loacated Claybuster I would love to see your 28 in action.
It's a fair point. Having been to a few preserves and done work for a private club in Ontario I have seen those less than stellar shots too. When dealing with them a little extra shot doesn't hurt although some I've seen wouldn't be any better of with a 10 gauge. ;)

I'm about a half hour west of Toronto. Send me a PM on the preserve. I might a road trip.
 
Thanks. I've seen the Challenger #4 but not the Winchester. Is it a new offering?


Not 100 % sure when the number 5 Winchester 28 gauge shells came out.If I remember rightly it was 3 or 4 years ago.Could be 2 however.LOL

Have you tried any of the new 28 gauge steel factory loads that Winchester has introduced.I have four boxes but have not tried them out as of yet.I have heard that Federal has introduced 28 gauge steel factory loads as well ,not sure if this is true or not.
 
Not 100 % sure when the number 5 Winchester 28 gauge shells came out.If I remember rightly it was 3 or 4 years ago.Could be 2 however.LOL

Have you tried any of the new 28 gauge steel factory loads that Winchester has introduced.I have four boxes but have not tried them out as of yet.I have heard that Federal has introduced 28 gauge steel factory loads as well ,not sure if this is true or not.
Haven't tried them yet. Haven't even seen them in my part of the world.
 
I use them in my second barrel, if I miss which might happen! Hunting over Oban does not make for long shots. Tomorrow, I have several guests and clients. I wil use the 28 as a back up gun over their misses. I can get clean hits with target loads to about 35 to 40 yards, more is where the 5s work their magic!

Regards,
Henry;)
 
I use them in my second barrel, if I miss which might happen! Hunting over Oban does not make for long shots. Tomorrow, I have several guests and clients. I wil use the 28 as a back up gun over their misses. I can get clean hits with target loads to about 35 to 40 yards, more is where the 5s work their magic!

Regards,
Henry;)

I am not familiar with the word Oban. Is that your Dog or manservant?
 
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Oban the Dratthar
Chapuis 30 inch 28 gauge
Federal 8.5 target load
One dead pheasant

Oban is a city in Scotland and a mighty fine Single Malt!

Today, out of 14 birds in the very wet fields and sometimes heavy rain, my 28 shot over half the birds! Two that I shot were second barrel Winchester 5s, the rest were all 8.5 Federal target loads.

Regards,
Henry;)
 
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