Humbled by my 28ga

[berettashotgun]

Went dove hunting yesterday, took my trusty old 686 12ga- I've almost wore the blueing off the reciever - and a recently purchased 1100 sporting 28. I had busted a few boxes of clays with the 28 and it worked great, but I was only able to purchase 8.5 shot since my reloader doesn't have the 28 set up (YET). They worked great on clays, but weren't so great on the dove. My hunting buddy was using STS light 20ga shells in #8 that also worked excellent on clays but did not actually fold the birds up. Although I managed to get my limit with 2 boxes of shells, I used 22 shells to get it today. While inspecting the birds from day one as compared to day two I noticed I shot much better with my 1 oz #7 12ga load than the #8.5 3/4 oz 28 load. But the birds had much better hits with my usual gun, the 686. I was really wanting to blame the shot size on the guage, not wanting to take the blame for crappy shooting. Both guns were using I.M. chokes and although I know that the 1100 will never hold up to the shell count I've put thru the 686, I think I'll try and get more practice with it. I have shot berettas since I was a little kid and they seem to fit me ( or visa-versa) but the 28ga really held its own after inspection of the targets. If you don't have on- get one. AND a reloader. I was very impressed with the little gun. I might have to sell it to help pay for a 686 in 28ga. Back to the comment on the light 20ga STS loads, I THINK (don't know) that they are a little underpowered for dove, we'll find out in the am.

 

[squekie]

1100 V Beretta 28ga

I have both an 1100 28ga, that I won in a tournament , and a Beretta 687 Gold Pigeon ll w/ 30" barrels.
Trust me, the only thing these two have in common are they both shoot 28ga shells. There is no comparison !!!

 

[Brian Williams]

Sounds like you guys were listening to sm and all his talk about the 28 ga.

 

[PJR]

While inspecting the birds from day one as compared to day two I noticed I shot much better with my 1 oz #7 12ga load than the #8.5 3/4 oz 28 load.

This is the part of the post I found telling. IMHO #8.5 is too small for birds and I don't use anything less than #7.5 for small birds and usually prefer #6.

Load up some larger shot and give the 28 gauge another outing.

 

[berettashotgun]

Went back out, but the rain has cooled things off. Still got a limit but had long crossing shots. Still used the 28ga with #8.5 and shot 15 for 23. I figured my shooting was crappy the first day. I am now looking for a Charley Daley semi 28ga. Funny that I always used 6 & 7.5 STEEL in the wetlands area- so it appeared to me that the 8.5 would work- it does excellent l

 

[tube_ee]

Last year I used 1 1/8 oz #8s (Estates, on sale at Cinco Grande) on doves, and I had to ring more necks than I cared for. This year I went back to 7.5s (handload, Green Dot) and got a higher %DBI than last year. Yeah, it's anecdotal, but it seems to me that the larger shot does kill better. The smaller shot may give me more hits, but I'll take the quicker kills, even if I miss a couple more birds.

I may have been shooting better, but I don't think so. My shell count certainly doesn't support that idea.

--Shannon

 

[mr.trooper]

^ Yea, i wouldnt go below a #7.5 shot. its better to have a few less, but larger wound than a few more smaller ones.