Weatherby SA-08 28 gauge

**Mike Irwin** · August 11, 2014, 08:12 AM

Anyone have any experience with the SA-08 in 28 gauge, or the SA-08 line in general?

They look to be surprisingly affordable, and I'm getting the hankering again for a 28 gauge for shotgun games...

A400 Fan · August 11, 2014, 10:39 AM

The ones I have seen and handled have all been in 20 and seemed to be of decent build quality for the price point and seemed to function just fine

jeager106 · August 11, 2014, 10:46 AM

Just one more "Made in Turkey" that seems to reek quality.
What is retail on the pretty auto?

TomADC · August 11, 2014, 10:50 AM

Mike probably just me but if you reload I wouldn't get a semi auto in 28 ga, they are a little harder on the shells. I shoot two different 28's a SKB O/U and Browning copy of model 12 pump. I bought a case of AA28 ga shells when I bought the O/U and I still have most of them. Based on what I see with my Beretta 20 SA & Remington 11-87 12 ga you just don't get the milage out of the shells in a SA. Nit a huge difference but 28 ga are harder to find and more pricey then 20 or 12.

A400 Fan · August 11, 2014, 10:53 AM

At one time, I also had a SKB in 28 and a 1100 sporting in 28 - the only issue with the 1100 was how FAR it flung those 1300 fps factory sporting loads. They reloaded just fine - I averaged 10-15 with each one

**Mike Irwin** · August 11, 2014, 11:03 AM

Hum....

Yeah, the tossing of the shells is a concern, because where I shoot recovering them is harder.

I have a couple of 12s (2 pumps and a semi-auto) and a 20 SxS. I had considered an SxS 28 before I bought the 20.

Maybe I should go O/U on a 28.

A400 Fan · August 11, 2014, 11:58 AM

In that vein, then you need to decide which frame. many are built on true 28 gauge receivers - which is great for all day carrying and doing some shooting at quail, etc. Others are built on 20 gauge frames, making them heavier which is good for all day shooting with little carrying (like a dove field) or clay targets

**Mike Irwin** · August 11, 2014, 12:51 PM

Preferably one built on a true 28-gauge frame.

TomADC · August 11, 2014, 02:03 PM

Mike look at the SKB I think mines a 505 but it is in the 28 size frame. My shooting buddy has a Beretta O/U in 28 its even smaller than my SKB.

BigJimP · August 11, 2014, 02:06 PM

I'm not a fan of today's Weatherby .../ I'd suggest you pass on it based on the few I've seen at my club ...they had a number of issues - mostly feeding issues / and I think they were all 12ga ( but those issues could be aggravated by a lack of maintenance too on the owner's part )....but I was less than impressed by the fit and finish in general.

I like an O/U in a 28ga..../ but these days I do not think you're going to find many built on a true 28ga frame...most of them will be built on a 20ga receiver / which I think is fine --- but depends on what you want.

Browning makes a few of their O/U's in a 28ga ...at least in the Citori line of guns.

If you do an online search - you will find some Browning O/U's like from the Citori XS Skeet line / usually in 28" or 30" barrels...that were made as special order items for bigger dealers in 28ga and .410 on the 20ga receiver( I was told by one dealer several years ago the minimum order was for 50 guns for these special orders ), even though the 28ga or .410 were never in the Browning catalog. I picked up one in 28ga and one in .410 7 or 8 years ago.../ and I continue to see them around once in a while.

I suspect in the Beretta line ....especially for dealers like Joel Etchen....you will probably find some Beretta's that you won't see everywhere...or he can order what you want. I looked quickly at his site ...and he has a semi-auto A400 ...in 28ga ...that I don't think is in Beretta's catalog...( that would surely be a better gun, in my view, than anything made by Weatherby). But he must have some O/U's as well in stock / or that he can order for you.

TomADC · August 11, 2014, 02:09 PM

Mine:

A400 Fan · August 11, 2014, 02:58 PM

Jim - the new A400 in 28 is on the street and while light and sweet, it ain't cheap. The Franchi would be better to save some cash

Quote:

Mike look at the SKB I think mines a 505 but it is in the 28 size frame. My shooting buddy has a Beretta O/U in 28 its even smaller than my SKB.

Sorry Tom, SKB, like Browning, made two frame sizes - 12 and 20. I also had the 505 in 28 (as well as still owning one in 20) and the frames measure the same. Beretta O/Us, especially in 28 can be had on either a 20 or a true 28 frame - all depends on the model)..If I am wanting a 28 O/U, I would want it on a 28 frame for hunting; if it is on a 20 frame, then save the weight and get the 20 and have the ability to shoot 20 ammo

BigJimP · August 11, 2014, 03:25 PM

That's good to know the A400 is out there....and no, I understand its not real cheap....but Joel Etchen's site says $ 1455 with the Kick Off ...or $ 1355 without it / and that's certainly not expensive either...

I'd buy the A400 ---over the Franchi ( every day ! )..../....the Franchi is probably a better gun than the Weatherby ....but I don't think its nearly as good a gun as most anything made under the Beretta nameplate.

But I'll defer to you on Beretta offerings...

**Mike Irwin** · August 12, 2014, 07:05 AM

I have no desire to spend over $2,000 on a shotgun that will only be used a couple of times a year.

I'll probably end up with a Stoeger Condor for under $500.

Virginian · August 12, 2014, 07:23 AM

I believe you would be much better served with a good used semi than a cheap O/U. A lot of people think O/Us are better, but they are not in all cases. An 1100, or a Franchi 48, or a Benelli, or a Beretta will all work well in the little 28. I will admit I love a scaled frame 28 SxS, and the ONLY O/U I have really even liked in 40 years was a scaled frame Beretta 28, but most of those are going to be way out of your budget. A good used repeater is a better tool than a cheap O/U in my opinion.

**Mike Irwin** · August 12, 2014, 08:29 AM

Well, this is strictly for amusement. I'm not going to be shooting tournaments, not going to be hunting, anything like that.

I'm just going to be breaking the occasional clay.

Realistically, I'm probably not even going to get one. I go throught these periods. I get a hankering for a 28 gauge, start looking in to it, and then for some reason the urge goes away.

BigJimP · August 12, 2014, 12:00 PM

Well ok, look for something used then...like one of the Remington 11-87's or the older 1100's they made quite a few in 28ga...

Might even be worth considering a gun like the Browning BPS Hunter model...its a good solid pump gun ...and its available in 28ga / and they're selling new for around $ 650 or so....its a good buy / and a solid gun...and easy to sell if you get bored with it ( Stoeger - not so much .../ especially on resale)...

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=012&tid=211

A400 Fan · August 12, 2014, 12:01 PM

If you want the challenge of a smaller payload, reload 3/4oz for 12 or 20 - works great, light recoil, easy on the wallet - and the main reasons I no longer own 28s!

**Mike Irwin** · August 12, 2014, 12:24 PM

Nah, I have a bunch of pump guns. I don't really want a pump.

I also want to recover the shells, so as I noted above, a semi-auto isn't optimal.

A CZ Canvasback might not be a bad option, if I can find it for less than MSRP.

zippy13 · August 12, 2014, 02:47 PM

Quote:

A400
If you want the challenge of a smaller payload, reload 3/4oz for 12 or 20 - works great, light recoil, easy on the wallet - and the main reasons I no longer own 28s!

It's a possibility, but you'll still have too hump a heavy 12-ga gun all day. I thought the reasoning was to get a light field gun. IMHO, a light gun is a hindered when shooting clays.

I don't own a dedicated 26-ga, but have several tubed comp guns -- the 28-ga hits like a 20 and kicks like a .410.

BigJimP · August 12, 2014, 04:15 PM

Don't get me wrong....I really like my Citori XS Skeet model / I was just trying to come up with a budget option for you with the pump gun..

...I have 3 stand alone guns made on the 20ga receiver...a 20ga, a 28ga and a .410...each with 30" barrels. A 28ga O/U is a fine gun ( and probably my favorite of the 3 guns ). Good luck in your search / hope you find something that suits you.

Sean Thornton · August 12, 2014, 08:52 PM

I too wanted a 28 gauge just to play with. So rather than spend a ton on a new shotgun I purchased a set of inexpensive 28 gauge inserts for my 12 gauge SXS a Stoeger Uplander. I had used that shotgun for Cowboy Action Shooting and was not using it anymore. So now I can have some fun shooting something different, the 28. Just another option.

**Mike Irwin** · August 13, 2014, 07:21 AM

"I was just trying to come up with a budget option for you with the pump gun.."

Oh I know, and I thank you. I considered a pump the last time I was thinking 28 gauge (when I bought my 20 SxS), but I think I would like something different.

The only type of shotgun I don't have right now is an O/U.

TomADC · August 13, 2014, 09:59 AM

disregard wrong forum

BigJimP · August 13, 2014, 01:57 PM

Investing in a good O/U ...is probably what you should do then / and have some fun with it.

Both Browning and Beretta give you the most gun for the money, in my view. They are not inexpensive...but they are solidly made...and most anything made by either company ( not necessarily their sister companies or subsidiaries )....are 500,000 shell guns, easy to sell....good guns.

Note: In 1988, for Xmas that year I bought myself a field grade Citori 12ga, 28" barrels for about $ 750 new in box ....today that gun is their Lightning model .../ that sells new for around $ 1,800.../ as a result, my old Citori ( with probably 250,000 shells thru it and some handling marks on it ...is still worth $ $1,000 - 1,250 on the used market.

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=013&tid=461

Many of the Beretta models have the same story...

So they may not be your least expensive option...but they're sure a good option in my view.

August 11, 2014, 08:12 AM	#1
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Weatherby SA-08 28 gauge Anyone have any experience with the SA-08 in 28 gauge, or the SA-08 line in general? They look to be surprisingly affordable, and I'm getting the hankering again for a 28 gauge for shotgun games... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 11, 2014, 10:50 AM	#4
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	Mike probably just me but if you reload I wouldn't get a semi auto in 28 ga, they are a little harder on the shells. I shoot two different 28's a SKB O/U and Browning copy of model 12 pump. I bought a case of AA28 ga shells when I bought the O/U and I still have most of them. Based on what I see with my Beretta 20 SA & Remington 11-87 12 ga you just don't get the milage out of the shells in a SA. Nit a huge difference but 28 ga are harder to find and more pricey then 20 or 12. __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

August 11, 2014, 11:03 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Hum.... Yeah, the tossing of the shells is a concern, because where I shoot recovering them is harder. I have a couple of 12s (2 pumps and a semi-auto) and a 20 SxS. I had considered an SxS 28 before I bought the 20. Maybe I should go O/U on a 28. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 11, 2014, 12:51 PM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Preferably one built on a true 28-gauge frame. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 11, 2014, 02:03 PM	#9
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	Mike look at the SKB I think mines a 505 but it is in the 28 size frame. My shooting buddy has a Beretta O/U in 28 its even smaller than my SKB. __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

August 11, 2014, 10:39 AM	#2
A400 Fan Junior member Join Date: June 17, 2014 Posts: 242	The ones I have seen and handled have all been in 20 and seemed to be of decent build quality for the price point and seemed to function just fine

August 11, 2014, 10:46 AM	#3
jeager106 Junior member Join Date: November 24, 2006 Location: N.E. Oh. Posts: 527	Just one more "Made in Turkey" that seems to reek quality. What is retail on the pretty auto?

August 11, 2014, 10:53 AM	#5
A400 Fan Junior member Join Date: June 17, 2014 Posts: 242	At one time, I also had a SKB in 28 and a 1100 sporting in 28 - the only issue with the 1100 was how FAR it flung those 1300 fps factory sporting loads. They reloaded just fine - I averaged 10-15 with each one

August 11, 2014, 11:58 AM	#7
A400 Fan Junior member Join Date: June 17, 2014 Posts: 242	In that vein, then you need to decide which frame. many are built on true 28 gauge receivers - which is great for all day carrying and doing some shooting at quail, etc. Others are built on 20 gauge frames, making them heavier which is good for all day shooting with little carrying (like a dove field) or clay targets

August 11, 2014, 02:06 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I'm not a fan of today's Weatherby .../ I'd suggest you pass on it based on the few I've seen at my club ...they had a number of issues - mostly feeding issues / and I think they were all 12ga ( but those issues could be aggravated by a lack of maintenance too on the owner's part )....but I was less than impressed by the fit and finish in general. I like an O/U in a 28ga..../ but these days I do not think you're going to find many built on a true 28ga frame...most of them will be built on a 20ga receiver / which I think is fine --- but depends on what you want. Browning makes a few of their O/U's in a 28ga ...at least in the Citori line of guns. If you do an online search - you will find some Browning O/U's like from the Citori XS Skeet line / usually in 28" or 30" barrels...that were made as special order items for bigger dealers in 28ga and .410 on the 20ga receiver( I was told by one dealer several years ago the minimum order was for 50 guns for these special orders ), even though the 28ga or .410 were never in the Browning catalog. I picked up one in 28ga and one in .410 7 or 8 years ago.../ and I continue to see them around once in a while. I suspect in the Beretta line ....especially for dealers like Joel Etchen....you will probably find some Beretta's that you won't see everywhere...or he can order what you want. I looked quickly at his site ...and he has a semi-auto A400 ...in 28ga ...that I don't think is in Beretta's catalog...( that would surely be a better gun, in my view, than anything made by Weatherby). But he must have some O/U's as well in stock / or that he can order for you.

August 11, 2014, 02:09 PM	#11
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	Mine: __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

August 11, 2014, 03:25 PM	#13
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	That's good to know the A400 is out there....and no, I understand its not real cheap....but Joel Etchen's site says $ 1455 with the Kick Off ...or $ 1355 without it / and that's certainly not expensive either... I'd buy the A400 ---over the Franchi ( every day ! )..../....the Franchi is probably a better gun than the Weatherby ....but I don't think its nearly as good a gun as most anything made under the Beretta nameplate. But I'll defer to you on Beretta offerings...

August 12, 2014, 07:05 AM	#14
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	I have no desire to spend over $2,000 on a shotgun that will only be used a couple of times a year. I'll probably end up with a Stoeger Condor for under $500. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 12, 2014, 07:23 AM	#15
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	I believe you would be much better served with a good used semi than a cheap O/U. A lot of people think O/Us are better, but they are not in all cases. An 1100, or a Franchi 48, or a Benelli, or a Beretta will all work well in the little 28. I will admit I love a scaled frame 28 SxS, and the ONLY O/U I have really even liked in 40 years was a scaled frame Beretta 28, but most of those are going to be way out of your budget. A good used repeater is a better tool than a cheap O/U in my opinion. __________________ What could have happened... did.

August 12, 2014, 08:29 AM	#16
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Well, this is strictly for amusement. I'm not going to be shooting tournaments, not going to be hunting, anything like that. I'm just going to be breaking the occasional clay. Realistically, I'm probably not even going to get one. I go throught these periods. I get a hankering for a 28 gauge, start looking in to it, and then for some reason the urge goes away. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 12, 2014, 12:00 PM	#17
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Well ok, look for something used then...like one of the Remington 11-87's or the older 1100's they made quite a few in 28ga... Might even be worth considering a gun like the Browning BPS Hunter model...its a good solid pump gun ...and its available in 28ga / and they're selling new for around $ 650 or so....its a good buy / and a solid gun...and easy to sell if you get bored with it ( Stoeger - not so much .../ especially on resale)... http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=012&tid=211

August 12, 2014, 12:01 PM	#18
A400 Fan Junior member Join Date: June 17, 2014 Posts: 242	If you want the challenge of a smaller payload, reload 3/4oz for 12 or 20 - works great, light recoil, easy on the wallet - and the main reasons I no longer own 28s!

August 12, 2014, 12:24 PM	#19
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Nah, I have a bunch of pump guns. I don't really want a pump. I also want to recover the shells, so as I noted above, a semi-auto isn't optimal. A CZ Canvasback might not be a bad option, if I can find it for less than MSRP. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 12, 2014, 04:15 PM	#21
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Don't get me wrong....I really like my Citori XS Skeet model / I was just trying to come up with a budget option for you with the pump gun.. ...I have 3 stand alone guns made on the 20ga receiver...a 20ga, a 28ga and a .410...each with 30" barrels. A 28ga O/U is a fine gun ( and probably my favorite of the 3 guns ). Good luck in your search / hope you find something that suits you.

August 12, 2014, 08:52 PM	#22
Sean Thornton Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 15	I too wanted a 28 gauge just to play with. So rather than spend a ton on a new shotgun I purchased a set of inexpensive 28 gauge inserts for my 12 gauge SXS a Stoeger Uplander. I had used that shotgun for Cowboy Action Shooting and was not using it anymore. So now I can have some fun shooting something different, the 28. Just another option.

August 13, 2014, 07:21 AM	#23
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	"I was just trying to come up with a budget option for you with the pump gun.." Oh I know, and I thank you. I considered a pump the last time I was thinking 28 gauge (when I bought my 20 SxS), but I think I would like something different. The only type of shotgun I don't have right now is an O/U. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 13, 2014, 09:59 AM	#24
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	disregard wrong forum __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006! Last edited by TomADC; August 13, 2014 at 02:53 PM.

August 13, 2014, 01:57 PM	#25
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Investing in a good O/U ...is probably what you should do then / and have some fun with it. Both Browning and Beretta give you the most gun for the money, in my view. They are not inexpensive...but they are solidly made...and most anything made by either company ( not necessarily their sister companies or subsidiaries )....are 500,000 shell guns, easy to sell....good guns. Note: In 1988, for Xmas that year I bought myself a field grade Citori 12ga, 28" barrels for about $ 750 new in box ....today that gun is their Lightning model .../ that sells new for around $ 1,800.../ as a result, my old Citori ( with probably 250,000 shells thru it and some handling marks on it ...is still worth $ $1,000 - 1,250 on the used market. http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=013&tid=461 Many of the Beretta models have the same story... So they may not be your least expensive option...but they're sure a good option in my view.