I just purchased a new CZ bobwhite double barrel 28ga shotgun with 26in blued barrels and double triggers. I bought it for one reason only. It felt just great in my hands. For light field hunting I thought I'd really enjoy it. Now I'm hearing about unavailability of ammo, ineffective loads,and costs. Maybe I should have slowed down a bit and purchased 20ga. Help me out. Did I screw up? Or am I going to end up likeing this thing as much as I first thougt I would. Thanks for any help you can provide.
CZ 28 ga double barrel
- Thread starter whalerman
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What does "ineffective loads" mean?
28 Gauge ammo is more expensive than 20 or 12, unless you get high-end hunting ammo. I think Golden Pheasant in 20 is just as much as 28.
If you are already a skilled shotgunner, and all you want to do with the gun is hunt, then just buy some good hungting ammo. If you want to use the gun for practice, get a Mec Sizemaster. I have never met a frequent 28 Gauge shooter who didn't reload. You can see why. The stuff is cheap to load, with small powder and shot charges, but expensive to buy.
If you wanted a gun that you could feed with practice ammo that's readily available in bulk for relatively cheap, unfortunately, this isn't it.
28 Gauge ammo is more expensive than 20 or 12, unless you get high-end hunting ammo. I think Golden Pheasant in 20 is just as much as 28.
If you are already a skilled shotgunner, and all you want to do with the gun is hunt, then just buy some good hungting ammo. If you want to use the gun for practice, get a Mec Sizemaster. I have never met a frequent 28 Gauge shooter who didn't reload. You can see why. The stuff is cheap to load, with small powder and shot charges, but expensive to buy.
If you wanted a gun that you could feed with practice ammo that's readily available in bulk for relatively cheap, unfortunately, this isn't it.
GooseGestapo
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Remember the price difference with the 28ga is that there is no "cheap" as in low quality (all the corners cut) promotional loads for it.
All the ammo is typically first rate ammo, such as Winchester AA target loads, or Remington SPS. The Winchester 1oz. hunting loads are fabulous for anything you'd use a 1oz. load for. I usually keep a box or two of #6's available. I took a turkey gobbler at 22yds with it once from my Rem 870 express. Bang-flop, just like if you'd used a 12ga.
Fiocchi also makes some good inexpensive factory loads for the 28ga.
Like previous poster stated, it's no more expensive than a 20ga to reload for. I use the same powders (mostly Hodgdon Universal and some LongShot) that I use for the 20ga.
I have one of the SXS CZ doubles in 20ga.
I may eventually add one of the O/U in 28ga.
The only real disadvantage the 28ga has is there are no slug or buckshot loads available for it. But, you can load your own buckshot, if needed. (#3 will likely be largest feasable size, #4 works well).
All the ammo is typically first rate ammo, such as Winchester AA target loads, or Remington SPS. The Winchester 1oz. hunting loads are fabulous for anything you'd use a 1oz. load for. I usually keep a box or two of #6's available. I took a turkey gobbler at 22yds with it once from my Rem 870 express. Bang-flop, just like if you'd used a 12ga.
Fiocchi also makes some good inexpensive factory loads for the 28ga.
Like previous poster stated, it's no more expensive than a 20ga to reload for. I use the same powders (mostly Hodgdon Universal and some LongShot) that I use for the 20ga.
I have one of the SXS CZ doubles in 20ga.
I may eventually add one of the O/U in 28ga.
The only real disadvantage the 28ga has is there are no slug or buckshot loads available for it. But, you can load your own buckshot, if needed. (#3 will likely be largest feasable size, #4 works well).
Reality check:
Remington Sport Loads and Gun Club, Estate Target Loads, etc. are not STS or AA quality, but they're not junk, either. There is absolutely no reason not to use them for practice.
In true target factory shells, 28 still costs more than 12 or 20. Check the prices of AA and STS: you will pay a good deal more for 28 Gauge.
Factory 28 Gauge shells cost more, in every range of quality, than 12 or 20 do, even though lead is expensive now, and even though a 28 typically has 3/4 oz. vs. 1 or 1 1/8 oz. of lead in a 12 Gauge shell.
Like I said, I have never met a frequent 28 Gauge shooter who wasn't set up to roll his own.
Remington Sport Loads and Gun Club, Estate Target Loads, etc. are not STS or AA quality, but they're not junk, either. There is absolutely no reason not to use them for practice.
In true target factory shells, 28 still costs more than 12 or 20. Check the prices of AA and STS: you will pay a good deal more for 28 Gauge.
Factory 28 Gauge shells cost more, in every range of quality, than 12 or 20 do, even though lead is expensive now, and even though a 28 typically has 3/4 oz. vs. 1 or 1 1/8 oz. of lead in a 12 Gauge shell.
Like I said, I have never met a frequent 28 Gauge shooter who wasn't set up to roll his own.
oneounceload
member
Besides the brands AB mentioned, there is also Fiocchi, Rio, B&P, among others.
Buy a flat or two of the Winchester AA sporting clay loads - use them for dove, quail and similar birds, reload the empties with a nice 7/8 or 1oz load for bigger quarry.
As to availability, every Walmart I have ever been in that sells shotgun shells carries the 28 gauge.
They cost more to buy because they don't run the volume like they do in 12 and 20.
There are many folks who the 28 for everything from woodcock to wild pheasant with great success.
If the gun fits, you're half-way there. Now practice with it and have fun!
Buy a flat or two of the Winchester AA sporting clay loads - use them for dove, quail and similar birds, reload the empties with a nice 7/8 or 1oz load for bigger quarry.
As to availability, every Walmart I have ever been in that sells shotgun shells carries the 28 gauge.
They cost more to buy because they don't run the volume like they do in 12 and 20.
There are many folks who the 28 for everything from woodcock to wild pheasant with great success.
If the gun fits, you're half-way there. Now practice with it and have fun!
That's the key!
Exactly. It has its limitations. If you want to throw a wide pattern of #5s at a wild-flushing pheasant to make it easier to hit, a 12 Gauge does that a lot better. OTOH if you want to get your gun on that bird FAST, a light 28 does THAT a lot better.
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