Choosing a 28

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Lerk

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So, had the the 28ga bug bite and need to figure out what shotgun I should buy. But unfortunately I haven't decided between an O/U, pump, or an auto. Not really interested in a SxS or Single. For an O/U, I hear the SKB's are good (and if it's anything like my Orion I can believe it). For a pump, I'd probably go with the Remington 870 Wingmaster. Auto, no clue :rolleyes:

Budget is fairly flexible but not looking to spend a fortune.

So any others out there I should consider or input about my current choices?
 
I have a Remington 1100 and like it a lot. I have shot a little Beretta O/U in 28 that an acquaintance owns, and liked it. That's the ONLY O/U I ever really liked.
 
While you're thinking about pumps and autoloaders, keep in mind that Win AA-HS once-fired hulls sell for 10 to 15 cents each.

The ejectors on my 28 ga. Guerini Woodlander were converted to extractors 8 years ago. Guerini sent the parts back - it's reversible.

John

P.S. - Ouch, I just searched and some people are asking 20 to 25 cents each.
 
If you are going to shoot the 28 much at all, you will need to reload or have lots of extra cash for shells.

I have 5 guns in 28 gauge, my regular skeet gun tube set on my Beretta, which actually gets shot more in 28 gauge than any other, a Ruger Red Label 28 O/U. I have an 870 Wingmaster that is a fun gun to shoot, and an 1100 28 that I dearly love to shoot with, but it will throw shells 15-20 feet away. I also have an old Winchester single shot 28 that I have given to my Mom for shooting pests and keep her supplied with shells.

28 gauge is addictive, once you get one, they keep accumulating.
 
There aren't that many choices for a 28 auto - if your use is mostly targets, the heavier 1100 will work well. If you are mostly chasing chukar uphill, the AL-48 or Benelli would get the nod.

Both of those at least, are light similar to what a proper SxS would weigh. Most O/U and pumps are typically built on a 20 gauge frame, making them a bit heavier than they need to be

The 28 is a joy to shoot, cheap to reload, and you can easily carry enough ammo for a round of sporting clays in your shooting vest pockets. BUT, as mentioned, those hulls get expensive, and the ammo is as well, so reloading really saves with this bore size. AAHS hulls get the nod in 28 over Remington for ease of reloading and long life. Factory ammo can run from 90+ for a flat, but if you catch a sale at Cabela's or similar and nab some free or $5 shipping, etc., you can come out OK on the over all costs when reloading the hulls. The older CF hulls are the best, but like a '63 split rear window Vette, they are getting harder and harder to find.

Enjoy a great bore size for targets and upland birds
 
Reloading won't be a problem just have to get the press/dies needed, have everything else.

Sounds like there are a bunch of good options out there though so I'll have to keep my eyes out
 
I have a 28 ga Citori. The Citori is my favorite shotgun for doves, skeet and sporting clays. You need to get a progressive reloading press while you are at it. 28ga shells are not cheap or easy to find.
 
If you decide on a double gun Check out CZ's. They are extremely well made and there are several different finish grades an both s/s & o/o. the cheapest grade can be had for less than 800
 
Well LGS had a very nice old 870 Wingmaster on the shelf for a decent price and it shouldered and swung very well. Rather tempted to trade my SKS for it since I don't really have much need for it.
 
You could do a LOT worse than a Wingmaster....and that includes the above-mentioned CZ Turkish crap
Do NOT confuse Czech-made CZ handguns with having the same quality as the Turkish-made CZ shotguns - they don't
 
choices

I have a Winchester Model 23 in 28 gauge and it's a very nice gun. All were choked IC and Mod. You can find them occasionally on gun broker. If your wallet is running over with cash the nicest 28 gauge on the market, okay in my opinion, is the A-10 American made by Connecticutt Shotgun Manufacturing. It's a true sidelock OU and almost a custom made gun.
 
They also had an 1100 in 28ga at a reasonable price as well but I didn't have time to look it over. All the rest were Stoeger's and some Ithicas. There was also a Citori on the shelf but I passed that up, just didn't feel right to me.

Tomorrow I'm heading back and I'm going to check out the 1100 and Wingmaster again and ponder somemore. Going to get a value for the SKS too so might walk out with one anyways.

But I'm at the point that I think the 1100 or the Wingmaster are my best options for getting into the 28ga without breaking the bank. Haven't seen anything else at the LGS that compares price and quality wise.
 
I was reading that the 28 guage semi made by TriStar was pretty good. Any one have any experience with it?
 
Lerk said:
So, had the the 28ga bug bite and need to figure out what shotgun I should buy. But unfortunately I haven't decided between an O/U, pump, or an auto. Not really interested in a SxS or Single. For an O/U, I hear the SKB's are good (and if it's anything like my Orion I can believe it). For a pump, I'd probably go with the Remington 870 Wingmaster. Auto, no clue :rolleyes:

Budget is fairly flexible but not looking to spend a fortune.

So any others out there I should consider or input about my current choices?
Click to expand...
Actually in 28br Ruger 'Red Label' is one fine firearm. I hope I'm wrong but I believe Ruger stopped making them.
 
They did, they had a lot of issues; mine was one of those - they couldn't make them to a certain price point they wanted (and their casting system didn't seem to give the the tolerances that a good O/U needs)
 
They aren't cheap, but I'd recommend the Benelli legacy 28 if you are looking for an auto. Very lightweight, but swings well and has little recoil. Very reliable and one of the prettiest guns I own. I picked one up off my dealers gun rack and knew I had to have it.
 
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