New 28ga over/under. Now what?

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I load 7/8oz in all my 12 gauge and shoot skeet, trap, and sporting clays with that load, going about 1190fps, just a sweet powder puff load. My 20 gauge shells I load 3/4oz basically duplicating a 28 gauge, they run right at 1200fps and I load the same 3/4oz in 28 gauge at about the same fps.
 
It's interesting to me that all the reloaders that loaded for 12 that no longer do so because they purchased a 28ga. I reload a 3/4oz 12 load that absolutely smokes clays out to about 35 yards, past that I'm getting hit but no smoke. The really nice thing about the 3/4oz load it the ease of doing it...I hate 28 and 410 loading, the 12 it just nicer to load.
Hmmm, I get what you’re saying regarding the 3/4 oz payload and it’s performance being so similar across the gauge spectrum. Whether it’s fired from a 12, 20 or 28, 3/4 oz of #7.5 shot is gonna weigh 3/4 oz. The shot string will most likely be a bit flatter with the larger bores, but the shot count will be the same for them all.

I think it’s more ‘the gun’ rather than ‘the gauge‘ with 28 shooters. Mine, while not as versatile across the range of possibilities, are much more pleasant to tote around the fields than my 12’s are. Plus the 28’s just look so dang cool!

Stay safe.
 
Hmmm, I get what you’re saying regarding the 3/4 oz payload and it’s performance being so similar across the gauge spectrum. Whether it’s fired from a 12, 20 or 28, 3/4 oz of #7.5 shot is gonna weigh 3/4 oz. The shot string will most likely be a bit flatter with the larger bores, but the shot count will be the same for them all.

I think it’s more ‘the gun’ rather than ‘the gauge‘ with 28 shooters. Mine, while not as versatile across the range of possibilities, are much more pleasant to tote around the fields than my 12’s are. Plus the 28’s just look so dang cool!

Stay safe.
As long as your 28 is on a scaled frame, correct. many, however, are built on a 20 gauge frame and offer no weight savings over a 20.
 
Indeed,.. same for 16’s on a 20 frame vs a 12 etc.. nice to have the gauge match the frame. The Red Label 28 is on their smallest frame size so it carries like a dream. :)

Stay safe.
 
My 28 gauge Red Label was a joy to carry but it was a malfunctioning gun that went away after a few trips back for repair. Glad yours is working OK!
 
When I was shooting competitive skeet, my 20 gauge averages were better than my 12 gauge averages. I just could not get the un-tubed 12 gauge over/under to swing the same as the tubed over/under. As a result, I shot 20 gauge in the 12 gauge events and did well for my class standing.

My 28 gauge averages were a bit behind my 20 gauge averages with the appropriate sub-gauge tubes installed in the gun. I enjoy shooting 28 gauge as it has a bit less recoil as the 20 gauge and the lighter recoil of 28 gauge shows up follow through issues that may have developed with the larger gauges. (I shoot practice .410 rounds when I feel I need an attitude adjustment.:))

I will agree, a sub-gauge tubed 12 gauge shotgun would not be pleasant to carry in the field for hunting various game birds. Hence, I have a Beretta 686 chambered in 28 gauge. It has a fairly small frame and light weight making carry easier.
 
I once owned a Miroku made Charles Daly O/U on a true 28 gauge frame but sold it off years ago. The gun was too light for me, I'm happiest with a 6.5-6.75 lb field gun and if I remember correctly the little Daly was just over 6 lb. They might be good for a small person or woman, but I felt it was too whippy, even with 28" barrels.

Add the fact that factory 28 gauge ammo is twice as expensive as the same load in 20 gauge and the gun was sold off long ago. I have a 6.5 lb O/U Beretta 20 gauge and a 6.75 lb O/U Beretta 12 gauge that I prefer for field use.
 
Thanks guys for the information. I was all but convinced to sell the 28 for a 12 but now I am not as convinced. I just started loading handgun ammo this year so looks like I might have to start looking for another loader. I am just not sure yet so I have not shot the 28 yet. It is still new in the box. Decisions, decisions. Thanks again.
 
Obviously, you have little experience with a 28. When you find a great gun and a good load, your attitude will change. The 28 is magical, not just in its mystique, but in its application

I'll have to disagree with that.

It isn't magical enough to the point that you will ever see a used 28 in the gun rack at the LGS around here. 28 is an upland gauge which limits it usefulness. You can load a 12 ga up or down depending on the game. Back before steel was a thing people were using 1 1/4 oz loads for ducks and geese, 1 and 1-1/8 oz loads for upland and 7/8 oz loads for clays. All patterns perfectly delivered by a 12 ga.

12's are the most versatile, 20 a close second, and 28 way down the list. If all I did was hunt upland I might have a lightweight 28 but I doubt it. More than likely a 20 ga. In England, where they more or less perfected the game gun, 28 was considered a gauge for women and children. Not a gauge for the serious adult male shooter.
 
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And yet now, the 28 is all the rage with folks even using them for high pheasants. Maybe some of the old duffers realized the challenge and sport of using a 28.
 
i have a 20 ga beretta AL 391 with a 26" barrel that's a joy to carry and use for small game that weights in at under 6 lbs, that being said its a little light for me to use at the clay games. on the close shots its ok, but as the range increases I don,t do near as good. it will shoot 2-3/4 or 3" shells, but I shoot only 2-3/4 with 7/8 oz loads.
 
Thanks guys for the information. I was all but convinced to sell the 28 for a 12 but now I am not as convinced. I just started loading handgun ammo this year so looks like I might have to start looking for another loader. I am just not sure yet so I have not shot the 28 yet. It is still new in the box. Decisions, decisions. Thanks again.

I bought a new Beretta Silver Pigeon I 28ga. this summer and I immediately fell in love. I have some 20ga. guns and a couple of .410s and I thought the 28ga. would be the middle ground. As it turns out, I have trouble distinguishing its performance from the 20ga guns and its handling is superb.

I use the 20ga and 28ga guns for ruffed grouse hunting and non-competitive skeet shooting. I have never used anything but 12ga. for waterfowl. But if one really wanted to, a 28ga with the proper loads could be used for just about anything. (And I'm referring to using VERY expensive heavier-than-lead shot loads for waterfowl.)

Pick up a MEC 600 Jr. in 28ga. and have at it! If you don't reload, buying 28ga. shotshells can be expensive.
 
I have 12 and 20 gauges and had a 16 gauge that was stolen in the late 70’s. I’ve never owned a .410 and can’t conceive a reason I ever will.

28 gauge? It has a certain cachet about it that to me is the same cachet evoked by the .404 Jeffery, .257 Roberts, Savage 99 .250-3000, Beretta Cheetah, Colt Diamondback, Detective Special and Cobra.

If I ever become wealthy I’ll get a 28 gauge SxS and O/U. I’ll then hire some of you yahoos to reload 28 gauge for me, have some of you out to my estate to hunt quail, pay for Skylerbone to take a remedial lesson on birth control and hire LoonWulf to give me hula lessons. If I’ve left something out please let me know.
 
And yet now, the 28 is all the rage with folks even using them for high pheasants. Maybe some of the old duffers realized the challenge and sport of using a 28.

High pheasant shooting is like shooting sporting clays only with live birds. I'm not saying I wouldn't participate in a driven shoot on a peg but it's probably above my station. I doubt I could get an invitation. I'm more at home with rough shooting as the Brits call it.
 
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If I ever become wealthy I’ll get a 28 gauge SxS and O/U. I’ll then hire some of you yahoos to reload 28 gauge for me, have some of you out to my estate to hunt quail, pay for Skylerbone to take a remedial lesson on birth control and hire LoonWulf to give me hula lessons. If I’ve left something out please let me know.

My MEC 600 Jr. is at the ready. Go ahead and buy a Powerball ticket.
 
High pheasant shooting is like shooting sporting clays only with live birds. I'm not saying I wouldn't participate in a driven shoot on a peg but it's probably below my station. I doubt I could get an invitation. I'm more at home with rough shooting as the Brits call it.
So am I, the prices for driven shooting grouse, pheasant or partridge would take a winning lotto ticket!
 
IMHO a 28 ga is ideal for upland birds over a good dog. Hunting Woodcock, Grouse, or Quail over a pointer is what that gun is designed for. You may use it for Rabbit or Squirrel. It is a terrible choice for Waterfowl.
 
if I want choice of chokes(plain invecta), I use a older browning citori upland special in 20ga with 26" barrels for small game. I think the al 391 beretta is a little lighter than the browning, but both are light enough to carry all day. and cheaper to run if you don,t load 28 ga.
 
IMHO a 28 ga is ideal for upland birds over a good dog. Hunting Woodcock, Grouse, or Quail over a pointer is what that gun is designed for. You may use it for Rabbit or Squirrel. It is a terrible choice for Waterfowl.

I would even use it for wild pheasant "over a good dog". Especially a good pointer.;)

I've known people that did. GTG.
 
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