28ga: Is the hype real?

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huntingfish

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I've mostly settled my mind for a 20ga (looking at SxS'). But every few days, I have a little brain fart and I start looking at 28ga's.

I believe the 20ga would be a lot more versatile, but still...I love shooting my little .410 and would think using a 28ga for grouse would be pretty sweet with a tiny double rifled shotgun. Anyone use a 28ga for grouse?

David
 
I used a 28 gauge SxS for years on everything from grouse too big wild roosters and even the occasional goose using Bismuth and Nice Shot.
it is a hand loading proposition if you shoot a lot, and not as versatile as a 20 if you include waterfowl, but still, II love that gauge especially in a scaled framed shotgun!
Cat
 
Don't know if I'd be more excited about a 28G, than I'd be excited about the excuse to buy a new SxS ?
- Coming from a guy who's still thinking about picking a nice 20G SxS... but have yet to spend any $$... 'cause I like my 12G and probably have more ammo than I'll ever need :p
 
I use a 28 gauge SxS for sharptailed grouse, Hungarian Partridge and for pheasants. I hunt over a pointing dog.I reload my 28 gauge skeet loads, but I buy my hunting loads, as the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads are the same price for both 20 and 28 gauge.
 
When I picked up my Ithaca/SKB 20 g, I foolishly sold my CZ Redhead in 28g. I should have kept it and kick myself as it was a great Ruffed Grouse gun, whereas the 20g is excellent for Sharptails.
 
Haha! I couldn't decide either - I ended up these days with a 28 CZ Redhead and a 20 Ruger Red Label. So the buying part is done. No real point in getting a 28 gauge, though, on a larger receiver, I don't think? All the "angst" is now making the choice which one to take when going for a walk for grouse!! Life was much simpler when I only had one - a Browning BPS 12 gauge with 26" barrel and a Modified choke - son thought it was a great idea as well, and took that one as well. Not much luck finding "cheap" shells for the 28 gauge, but I bought an MEC loader and many pounds of shot, so seems to be doing okay, so far.
 
28ga and grouse go hand in hand, it’s like they where made for each other. First off make sure the 28gs SxS you are buying is built on a true scaled to frame 28gs scale. Otherwise you may as well buy the the 20ga as this gun will actually weigh more and you will lose out on the weight benefits. Two with the lighter weight get at least 28” barrels to balance out the small frame and light weight. Now a properly made 28ga is not cheap but it’s an upland hunter’s delight. Nothing carry’s better on long walks and shoulders faster with tired arms or swings as smoothly as a SxS 28ga. Big fan here and use it almost exclusively for upland. You won’t be disappointed.
 
Arietta said:
I've owned three 28 gauge shotguns. The hype's not real. Most 28s come on a 20 gauge frames. There are more ammo options for the 20 and they are less expensive. Get the 20.
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You are mostly correct about many 28 gauge being built and sold on 20 gauge or larger frames - is really on the buyer to pick and chose what he gets, no? I was pretty much shocked with the Cooey 840 I bought for Grandson - is same size frame, stock, etc. as the 840 in 12 gauge - barrel walls much thicker on the 28, so is actually much heavier than the 12 gauge version, too boot!!! You can get some obscenely priced non-lead shot shells, like Hevi-Shot - if you really must hunt waterfowl with the 28 gauge - but 3/4 ounce lead shot from about size 6 to 9 seemed reasonable common, when there was ammo to buy. And for certain, was always much more likely to find something in 20 gauge, than 28 gauge, at the local small town gas station or hardware store.

No doubt there is a bit of "snobby" involved in choosing to use a 28 gauge, when a 20 or 12 will do just fine. Maybe just the way it is!!!

Should be a picture below showing a Browning Citori above a CZ Redhead - both are 28 gauge - note how much smaller (shallower) the lower CZ receiver is compared to the Citori. I am quite certain that Browning used a 20 gauge frame on their 28 gauge Citori, whereas CZ has a scaled-to-size frame.

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Arietta said:
I've owned three 28 gauge shotguns. The hype's not real. Most 28s come on a 20 gauge frames. There are more ammo options for the 20 and they are less expensive. Get the 20.
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It's true that many 28 gauges are built on 20 gauge frames, but some are built on their own frame, making them smaller and lighter than a comparable 20 gauge. As far as ammunition goes, I paid the same price for the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant, in 12,16, 20 or 28 gauge. The Bismuth loads that I bought were actually cheaper in 28 gauge, likely because they came in a box of 25, rather than in boxes of 10, like the larger gauges used to. I see that the larger gauges now come in boxes of 25 as well, and the price is now the same, regardless of gauge. If you don't plan ahead and by ammunition in volume then yes, it will be more difficult to find 28 gauge hunting loads, and the price ,may be higher, but I purchased by ammunition by the flat, and a flat lasts me a few seasons for upland birds.

Now that being said, the average person would never even notice the difference between a 20 gauge and a 28 gauge, either firing it, or it's effectiveness on game.
 
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My go to grouse gun last fall was my Cre 28 Armsan semi auto. It weighs just a few ounces over 5 pounds. With 1/2 choke and 3/4 oz. of #8 shot it has been a winner. Seek out a scaled frame 28 you will not be sorry.

Darryl
 
I’m a 20ga guy but like you have had a strong want for a sxs in 28ga for some time… finally just recently bought a FAIR Iside in 28ga and plan on carrying it this coming season. Beautiful lovely gun and it is scaled to caliber so it is noticeably smaller and lighter than my 20ga.

Just as a heads up for anyone looking, Prairie Gun traders has a used 28ga FAIR Sxs. I highly recommend this gun!
 
No snobbery here. My paratrooping fecked knees & back truly appreciate every ounce saved.
Is how I manage to finish an all day trip upland hunting on foot with a lunch break.
My chosen 28 is built to scale. It's .55 diameter shotshells are lighter than most others.

Be well
 
The only 28 i have now is a beretta a400 xplor. Its lighter and trimmer than the 20ga version. An absolute joy to carry and lighting fast. I do like the 28ga but i find i do grab a 20ga more often. The 20ga offers more versatility in ammo.
 
From someone.who has a 28, and shotshell loaders except 20 and 16. No it's not worth it. Ammo price and availability is enough. Add that I live where grouse are rare and it's not worth it.

Course, no waterfowl either, three ferries out. Just about the only shotgun that currently makes sense is the 410 sxs ditch swatter. Probably sell most of the shotguns.
 
nowarningshot said:
From someone.who has a 28, and shotshell loaders except 20 and 16. No it's not worth it. Ammo price and availability is enough. Add that I live where grouse are rare and it's not worth it.

Course, no waterfowl either, three ferries out. Just about the only shotgun that currently makes sense is the 410 sxs ditch swatter. Probably sell most of the shotguns.
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The 410 is actually the shotgun that I have the least use for. As a ground swatter, weight isn't an issue, and aiming high with a 12 or 20 gauge kills better than a 410, with less shot in the meat than centering a bird in the pattern with a 410.
 
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