28 Gauge shotguns

Crazy.kayaker

Crazy.kayaker

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
So I made a deal with a guy from CGN on a different site and ended up with a good deal on a 28 gauge shotgun. I know more then a few of you will be thinking poorly of the gun and me but it's light swings great and since I'm only hunting with it a box or two will last me the entire season once I pattern it. I'm just here asking all you other 28 gauge owners what have you noticed works best? I have some # 6 Rem and Win # 8 Rem # 9 Win to try out. WSS has some # 5 Win but I figured the #4 would work just as well. Recommendations? I hope to get a reloading press for it so I can start reloading it and saving.

Look out grouse here I come :D

Cheers
CK
 
Last edited:
Sorry guys I meant #6 not #4 seems I'm having trouble with my numbers lately. But the shotgun is a 28 gauge ;) I got the # 8 #9 for playing with and as someone said makes a good shot for the small birds like doves and pigeons and such. Not sure I'll hunt any but always nice to know how it patterns so it's an option if I ever do go.
 
I had a 28ga, Skeet & Skeet, about 25 years ago. I remember liking #5 shot size for bunnies. But for grouse in the bush I would think #7 1/2, especially with an open size choke.
 
If you are shooting over a good dog, Federal 8.5 or 8 works very well. Otherwise 7.5 or 6, as anything LARGER results in less pattern density and more wounded birds.

Regards,
Henry;)
 
Last edited:
Pattern kills and a 28 has a very small payload of shot. Don't fall into the trap of trying to get a 28 to do what a 20 will or a 16 to shoot like a 12 gauge, etc.. 28's are fine dove, pigeon, skeet and general light upland guns. IMO one would never have to use shot larger then 7 1/2's, better off with 8's or 8 1/2 shot. I like #9 skeet loads.
 
Last season I killed grouse, woodcock, bunnies, chuckars, and pheasant with my 28 gauge, and everyone one of them died to #6 shot out either an improved cylinder or modified choke. These were all 3/4 ounce loads, this year I am going to try to get some one ounce loads to try.

I am not sure if bore size has effect on shot patterns/densities, but if you can kill something with a 1 ounce 20 gauge load, it should die from a 1 ounce 28 gauge load as well. (I think!)
 
Mike Webb said:
If you're talking factory loads I like Winchester 1 OZ. loads.
They seem to hit as hard as a 20 gauge on upland game.
Click to expand...

Which underscores the need to pattern your individual gun. While Mr. Webb's gun seems to like the Winchester 1 oz. loads, all of my 28 gauge guns performed very poorly with them. Low velocities and very patchy patterns.

It only takes a few minutes to shoot some paper and see what is happening with your gun / choke / loads, and no two guns are identical. It beats guessing.


Sharptail
 
For ruffed grouse we use either a skeet load of 9's going about 1,175FPS, or for the longer, later season shots, BPI brush wads and 3/4 oz of 9's.
I sometimes use a load of 7 1/2's in very tight cover, but mostly I use hand loaded skeet loads- they don't mess up the birds and kill well.
For pheasants, I use nickel plated lead and either 3/4oz or 7/8oz going high 1,200's.
Cat
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom