Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
My garden gate hinges are tighter than some of the Red Label actions I've looked at. I've had a bunch of Ruger products over the years and I've liked most of them but they do produce duds once in a while.
Why are smaller gauge shotguns so thin on the ground?
- Thread starter Big Bad
- Start date
My garden gate hinges are tighter than some of the Red Label actions I've looked at. I've had a bunch of Ruger products over the years and I've liked most of them but they do produce duds once in a while.
When shooting my a400 xplors in 12 20 and 28 I have more varience in scores depending on the day than I do with the gauge. In skeet and sporting clays anyway. Haven't tried the 28 in trap yet. Other than steel shot for waterfowl with the 12 being better for longer ranges if the ducks are over the dekes it doesn't matter what gauge I use there either. 25 yards even my 28ga with #6 steel folds ducks. #6 steel runs out of energy passed 30 yards so the sub gauge limits my use by what it can throw shot size wise. It's good for doves to 40 yards and I can leave a good dozen pellets in a 2l pop bottle at 50 yards. The 20ga with steel 4s and the 12 with steel 2s and the mighty 10 with steel BB are pretty much how I determine what gun to take for waterfowl. I base it on the distance and #### size needed not the headstamp
An added bonus of a subgauge is on the way back after a long days hunt carrying dekes gear and game. The lighter weight of the gun and ammo really shines especially for those of us with knee and shoulder injuries
An added bonus of a subgauge is on the way back after a long days hunt carrying dekes gear and game. The lighter weight of the gun and ammo really shines especially for those of us with knee and shoulder injuries
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
While I can't say the Red Label ever got me excited... I have to admit that this one (At Prophet) kind of got me curious
I had the opportunity to meet Heidemarie a few times, nice lady.
- If she did the engraving, I cannot help but wonder if Klauss (her husband) did the stock?
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That's a pretty gun alright, not really what I immediately think of when someone says "Ruger"!
patricksbb391
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ottawa & WMU 62
i have a RBL .28 ga, 28" barrel, choke tubes. Lovely little piece and not "clubby" at all. That was their appeal.
A BSS .12 ga is clubby, and it got dealt. The Red Label in 12 is a chunk too.
SKBs are nice depending on the model. Beavertail fore end .12 ga. got dealt, but a 280 English stock with splinter fore end is lovely, as is the 100 in .20 ga.
A BSS .12 ga is clubby, and it got dealt. The Red Label in 12 is a chunk too.
SKBs are nice depending on the model. Beavertail fore end .12 ga. got dealt, but a 280 English stock with splinter fore end is lovely, as is the 100 in .20 ga.
I picked up what is essentially a re-labelled RBL (a Savage Fox A Grade) in 20 gauge last spring, in plenty of time for hunting season. I took it out for pheasant on the first day and it performed as well as, or much better than, any upland gun I've ever tried. Definitely not a club! However, CSMC is not your average American gun maker. I've experience a dramatic increase in head and neck strikes with wing shots. I don't need to say anything about how satisfying that is. And then there are all the benefits of lighter carry weight of gun and shells.
ETA: American made guns usually don't fit me - not enough drop at heel.
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I see a few things at play, most of which have already been mentioned.
The one thing that really stands out to me is versatility: a lot of people (likely most gun owners?) only own a single shotgun. For those types of people the 12ga typically makes the most sense because of how versatile it is - light loads for upland, steel loads for ducks, turkey loads, buck or slug for big game, fancy #### like flares or cracker shells or non-lethal (eg rubber buck or slugs). On top of that ammo is more readily available and typically cheaper.
20ga are similarly versatile, and with the lesser recoil often considered better options for the ladies and young'ins.
Of course, I'm a gun nut so I want a 28ga like the rest of y'all, but can't justify the purchase currently. One day I'll get a 28ga double, a bird dog, and go stack up some partridge...
The one thing that really stands out to me is versatility: a lot of people (likely most gun owners?) only own a single shotgun. For those types of people the 12ga typically makes the most sense because of how versatile it is - light loads for upland, steel loads for ducks, turkey loads, buck or slug for big game, fancy #### like flares or cracker shells or non-lethal (eg rubber buck or slugs). On top of that ammo is more readily available and typically cheaper.
20ga are similarly versatile, and with the lesser recoil often considered better options for the ladies and young'ins.
Of course, I'm a gun nut so I want a 28ga like the rest of y'all, but can't justify the purchase currently. One day I'll get a 28ga double, a bird dog, and go stack up some partridge...
Back about 1968 - 69 I handled a new 20 gauge Purdy that was extremely light... The German owner (Carlos von Maffei) of Uptown Sporting Goods in Calgary had just come back with it... purchased at Abercrombie and Fitch in New York. He was a rich Baron from Germany dabbling in the oil business and had a large collection of very high grade guns...The sporting goods store was a hobby he visited once in awhile.
What a beautiful shotgun that was.
What a beautiful shotgun that was.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
About fifteen or so years ago, one could find the very occassional francotte double gun (between war manufacure) for sale in North America.
With the influence of internet reviews, this now is a virtually dead subject. As everyone knows.
With the influence of internet reviews, this now is a virtually dead subject. As everyone knows.
You mean like the 1925 Francotte Knockabout 28 ga I bought in 2020? Or the 1927 Francotte model 18 28 gauge I bought at the same time?
They weren't even the main guns in the deal! I don't think the subject is dead. You just have to be looking.
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Wow! I didn't think 28ga. were still available. I haven't seen one either used or in use for decades. Two years ago,I bought a new Stevens 20ga. Silver Grade. I fell in love with it and haven't had the 12 ga out of the rack since.
badgreenbird
Regular
- Location
- Dawson Creek, BC
I started out with a single shot 28 gauge as a kid.. after a couple years I moved up to the big 12 and for decades never looked back... but the 28 gauge held a sentimental place in my hunting heart. Moving west, making more money, finding more birds had me thinking of the 28. I (stupidly) bought a Mossberg Silver Pigeon in 28. Nothing wrong with the gun other than it weighed about 8 pounds! I decided to do some research and focused on scaled frame guns.. I have a few now (including a Ruger Red Label in 28) but the one I shoot most with is a CZ 'partridge'. It's very light weight and easy to carry in the field & woods. It's my go-to upland bird gun and I've used it successfully on a wide variety of upland bird species. No plans to switch.
Great discussion, my 20g skb 200 is now my go to upland gun.Very Impressed with its performance so far and it's weight is not an issue.Love the 28" barrels as well.Got called on old guy by 2 of our younger hunters cuz I carried a SXS not a B gun o/u.Until we started to shoot .
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
In reference to the OP's question, I don't really see sub gauges being thin on the ground. About 15 years ago one of the clubs I belong to introduced a sub gauge shoot where you get bonus points if you shoot your sub gauge against a 12 gauge, there's also bonus points if you shoot a side by side or pump. I had a 28 gauge in those days and the first year there were only a handful of us shooting them but after a few years it seemed that everyone was bringing a 28 to the shoot so I switched to a 410 side by side and they're gradually gaining ground too. It's not uncommon to go for a fun round of sporting with some friends to find there is only maybe one 12 gauge in the group! And most of my upland bird hunting friends are shooting 20 gauge guns these days too, granted there are more of those around than 28's or 410's but I seldom shoot a 12 there either, in fact I was out today with my 16 gauge side by side after pheasants.
I have had a few sub guages in the past. Mostly 20g and 410. I sold the 20g when I couldn't find shells anywhere near me and now the 410 is in the same boat. I can walk into literally any hardware or gun shop and buy 12g and usually have a large selection. A gun without shells is a paperweight or really ineffective club. I use a single shot a Minishells for birds, light enough to carry all day long, no recoil and has killed everything I have shot so far. Many shots out to 30-40y with a mod choke. Seems to work, so why mess with it?
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Cool yes but just try to find shells for them, even 32 gauge shells are easier to find!
