3 Inch 28 GA

Don't know about 3 inch 28 gauge loads. Seems like the answer to the question that nobody asked. I have shot considerable birds with the old Winchester Super x 1 ounce 28 gauge loads. Worked the very best. Killed a partridge in front of witnesses at 52 paces which surprised me more than the partridge.
 
28 guage is stating that lead may some day be banned leaving steel the most affordable choice in which case the 28 hull will need more volume and I think he makes a valid point. We all know that lead 28 loads work well on upland game but it remains to be seen what 3 inch steel loads will do.
 
We all know that lead 28 loads work well on upland game but it remains to be seen what 3 inch steel loads will do.
Overall if someone had the money to buy a new 28Ga gun and the 3 inch chamber was available it wouldn't be a terrible idea to buy it. Potentially more versatile in the future. At least this is my take away. Sorta the discussion I was going for in this post but enjoying all the points made by all the seasoned members.
 
There are no steel shot 3 inch 28 gauge shells.
Only Fiocchi makes a 1 ounce lead 3 inch, at the moment.
Given that steel shot is a poor projectile, and even 3 inch 28 gauge has limited capacity for larger steel shot, the only intelligent option to make a waterfowl gun out of 28 gauge is one of the heavier than lead tungsten shots.You can already load tungsten shot in 2 3/4 inch.
For upland hunting, a few boxes of Bismuth shotshells is no big deal, compared to all the other expenses of hunting.
The primary volume use of 28 gauge is as a Skeet gauge, and though lead may eventually be banned altogether, it will certainly last the longest on the Skeet field.
I have yet to hear any reason that 3 inch 28 gauge will be anything ta novelty item.
 
All valid points and great discussion.Remember years ago everyone that bought a new autoloader at least the guys I know had to have a 3.5".Over 2 cases of shells this last season shot 12 3.5".Have it and never use it so is that a good or bad thing? My next semi will not be a 3.5" .Have a o/u if I have to get rid of those roman candles.:)
 
A lot of waterfowl hunters in my area and a lot of them have the 12 gauge 3 1/2 inch guns and swear by them, with steel shot.Many hunters will pay big bucks for a gun,but bulk at paying even a dollar or two more for a box of shells.Go figure,but it is the truth.They want the cheapest ammunition you can get for the most part ,and steel non tox is at present the cheapest you can buy.

There are 12 ,20 and 410 3 inch shells available,I see no reason why all the fuss about not having the 28 gauge available in 3 inch.If you do not use them now,it is quite possible as things change in the lead use in the field world,it may come to the need for it, with steel shot.Some say just buy more expensive shot or use a different gauge.True that could be done,but there are those of us who like to use the 28 gauge in the field and want to continue to do so in the future.Plus there are many who are just too cheap to buy the very expensive non tox other than steel.

Just because you have had gun chambered for 3 inch 28 gauge shells ,does not mean you have to use 3 inch shells if you do not want to,but you have the option to do so if you want to or need to in the future.:)
 
3 inch 28 gauge is not going to make it a steel shot performer. There simply isn't enough volume.
When you add a wad with petals thick enough to protect the bore, adding 1/4 inch isn't enough.
Why not make it 3 1/2 inches?
My thoughts are like the WWII posters -
"Is this trip really necessary?"
Of course, it can be made, but don't expect any big success in the marketplace.
 
A lot of waterfowl hunters in my area and a lot of them have the 12 gauge 3 1/2 inch guns and swear by them, with steel shot.Many hunters will pay big bucks for a gun,but bulk at paying even a dollar or two more for a box of shells.Go figure,but it is the truth.They want the cheapest ammunition you can get for the most part ,and steel non tox is at present the cheapest you can buy.

There are 12 ,20 and 410 3 inch shells available,I see no reason why all the fuss about not having the 28 gauge available in 3 inch.If you do not use them now,it is quite possible as things change in the lead use in the field world,it may come to the need for it, with steel shot.Some say just buy more expensive shot or use a different gauge.True that could be done,but there are those of us who like to use the 28 gauge in the field and want to continue to do so in the future.Plus there are many who are just too cheap to buy the very expensive non tox other than steel.

Just because you have had gun chambered for 3 inch 28 gauge shells ,does not mean you have to use 3 inch shells if you do not want to,but you have the option to do so if you want to or need to in the future.:)

28 Gauge last line is exactly what I was thinking! I have shot ducks over decoys & jump shooting with a Beretta A400 28 gauge, using Kent Bismuth 2 3/4" # 6's. Big thing is use common sense when using a 28 gauge for ducks. As stated before, great on the skeet field & in the upland game! The 3" thing is what it is and if they make a 3" Bismuth, Tungsten or TSS shell I might try it, maybe not, the 2 3/4" shells are working fine for me haha.
 
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