January 30, 2012, 12:19 PM | #1 |
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Is a 28 Gauge enough
This year I'm going to pheasant hunt for the first time. I have a few 12 ga guns...but my question is...I have a sweet O/U in .28 gauge. Is this big enough for pheasants and if so..what loads are the best. Thanks in advance.
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January 30, 2012, 12:26 PM | #2 |
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Fiocchi Golden Pheasant has a 7/8oz 28 gauge load in 5 & 6's IIRC. Some folks says it isn't enough, but if you realize that it is not a 60 yard pheasant gun, you have good dogs, it should do fine
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January 30, 2012, 12:47 PM | #3 | |
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January 30, 2012, 01:58 PM | #4 |
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Thanks guys!
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January 30, 2012, 02:56 PM | #5 | |
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I recall, in the mid-80s, when world Skeet champ Al Clark was looking for sponsorship from a cigar company. They were going to have "Smoke 'em" on their team logo. Last edited by zippy13; February 1, 2012 at 12:42 PM. Reason: tpyo |
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January 30, 2012, 03:18 PM | #6 |
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A friend was fond of a little 28 gauge SxS from a boutique maker. It cost as much as my first house. Over his Springers, he took a series of holdover preserve ringnecks without needing the second barrel. I did close to the same with a fine little 12 gauge and good loads. My friend admitted he did well with the little 5 lb 28 ONLY when he left his bigger guns alone and used only it and a featherweight 20 gauge Darne.
Up to 30 yards, the 28 will work on ringnecks. IF,and only IF, you can keep your shots within that and have shot the 28 enough to familiarize yourself, then use the 28 in good conscience. |
January 30, 2012, 03:43 PM | #7 |
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Under ideal or close conditions the little 28 will work. If they are flushing ahead of the dogs which is common then you will wish you had more gun. Remember on a close flushing bird you can always wait a second or two (easier said than done) before you drop the hammer on your 12 ga. Early morning when they are holding better OK for the 28 ga., later in teh day when they are more likely to jump ahead of the dogs, carry the 12.
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January 30, 2012, 04:08 PM | #8 |
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That's why I love this web site. You can always get the right answer.
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January 30, 2012, 09:53 PM | #9 |
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Why not take both?
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January 31, 2012, 08:18 AM | #10 |
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i use a 28ga rem 870 express i bought at walmart at close out for 189.00, it has a mod. fixed choke and i use win. one oz. #5,s H S pheasant loads and regular one oz. #6,s with good effect out to 30-35 yrds. it thinks its a 20ga. eastbank.
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January 31, 2012, 08:38 AM | #11 |
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28 g
Not ideal, but my sister (who is a much better shot than I, better eyesight) used a .410 quite effectively on pheasants when we were young, you just don't try the longer shots.
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January 31, 2012, 10:25 AM | #12 |
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For preserve birds over pointing dogs the 28 gauge will do very well. Not so well on wild birds with flushing dogs where the shots are much longer.
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January 31, 2012, 10:28 PM | #13 |
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I have heard dusting used to describe turning the clay to dust. Don't shoot so much clays that I am 100% positive on the jargon though.
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February 1, 2012, 01:29 AM | #14 |
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What Z said. Dusting is not any pieces large enough to get you an X on the score card.
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February 1, 2012, 11:08 AM | #15 | |
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February 1, 2012, 11:25 AM | #16 | |
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February 1, 2012, 12:42 PM | #17 |
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My friends, while we're drifting off topic (Does the 28-ga pack the punch to bag the birds?), let's not forget to mention how seriously you get ripped-off feeding a 28-ga factory ammo!
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February 1, 2012, 12:53 PM | #18 |
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Yes the 28 packs the same punch as a 10ga. Simple physics a #5 pellet @ 1250 fps is the same in knockdown power regardless of the Ga. The difference is you are launching 3/4 of an ounce of shot compared to 2 oz in a 10 GA so the pattern density is the difference. Not the power. If your 28 has sufficient pattern at the ranges you shoot at birds it is just a good as any other gauge. I use my 28Ga up to 35 to 40 yrds on grouse woodcock and pheasants.
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February 1, 2012, 02:26 PM | #19 | ||
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February 1, 2012, 03:14 PM | #20 | |
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February 1, 2012, 04:21 PM | #21 |
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Absolutely, and when I had my 28's reloading was a must - but I also shot them for sporting clays, 5-stand and birds. IF a person is only using the 28 for the occasional bird hunt a few times a year, a flat or target loads for practice and a few boxes for actual field use is still liveable.
One reason i got rid of my 28's (at least for now), is that i can load a 3/4 oz 20 gauge load that SMACKS targets and birds really well from my SxS. There are several 3/4 oz 12 loads that are easy on the shoulder and also do well on targets - nice for those of us with shoulder/neck issues. In looking physically at that 12 gauge 3/4 load - it appears to be more of the actual "square' load that everyone talks about the 28 having; I know by going one choke tighter than I would with a 7/8 or 1 oz load, it pattens very nicely, albeit a little smaller....... |
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