Reloading 28ga questions

[Wing Rider]

Well, I just received a new Tristar Over/Under 28ga shotgun. When looking around for shotshells, I noticed that there is a fairly limited options and at at much higher cost. I am unsure whether I will sell it and get a 12ga or keep it and possible reload for the 28ga. I was really looking to get a 12ga so that I could use it for duck hunting. Any thoughts on the 28ga? I have never known anyone that has owned a 28ga. In information on possibly reloading 28ga?
Ray

 

[cfullgraf]

28 ga is no more or less difficult to reload than 12 ga and you can tailor the rounds to the task you plan on doing. With the light shot and powder charges relative to 12 ga, 28 ga is fairly thrifty to reload.

Buy good ammunition for a source of hulls for reloading. I buy Winchester AA shells. The hulls have a good life during reloading.

Follow the recipes in reputable loading manuals. For my 1200 fps skeet loads, I've used Unique powder in the past although I'm transitioning to 20/28.

I have a MEC 600jr loader for 28 ga. It works well. I load about 100 rounds per hour with it. (as a note, MEC loaders are not friendly for converting between different cartridges. It is best to have a dedicated loader for each gauge. Since I competed in skeet in all four gauges, I have four MEC 600jr loaders).

There are other loaders that can load at a higher rate than the 600jr but they cost more as well.

 

[rbernie]

Have you reloaded shotshells before? The Lyman shotshell reloading guide is pretty much the bible when it comes to recipes and processes...

 

[desmobob]

I bought my first (might not be my last!) 28ga. shotgun this spring: a Beretta Silver Pigeon I. I immediately fell in love with this gauge. I chose it for hunting ruffed grouse and for non-competitive skeet shooting.

I've been reloading lots of skeet loads for it with a new MEC 600 Jr. I purchased when I bought the shotgun. 28 gauge is one of those rounds that is very worthwhile to reload... factory ammo can be hard to find (other than skeet loads) and tends to be quite pricey.

The small 3/4oz. payloads of lead shot used by the 28ga makes reloading very economical. I started out by buying a case of Winchester AA target loads and those hulls reload very well with good longevity.

I have several shotguns in .410, 20ga and 12ga, and the 28ga seems to be something a little special in its ability to perform above its specifications/expectations.

 

[George P]

The best hulls for reloading 28 (and 410) are the Winchester AA target hulls. You'll get 10-12 reloads per hull unless you load them super hot. When I started reloading 3/4oz in 12 and 20, I felt no need for owning yet another bore size to reload.
That said, if your 28 is actually built ion a true 28 gauge frame, you'll have a nice light gun for all day carry in the field. A MEC Jr. will be a great press for reloading the 28. With the right material and payload, the 28 can do a great job, even on ducks. Bismuth or tungsten (although expensive) will give you good results and better than steel.

 

[STCL01]

I don't have much to add as to the above. my 28 is the only shotgun that I reload for any longer. 12 and 20 are not economical for me given the time. I love my 28. I even have #6 steel shot loads that I hunt ducks with ( within reasonable conditions and distances). Dove, Quail. Awesome gun. Light and fast, and just beautiful. Shoot it and tell me you don't love it. Reload AA hulls. Be careful on older hulls because Winchester had a bout in there where they thought they would change the length on the hulls just enough to mess everything up. Remington hulls also reload well. It is a very economical round to reload and shoot. Like you have noticed, unless you want #9 skeet loads at $10 - $12 a box you are going to pay close to $20 for hunting loads. That makes reloading them for about $4.50 a box a great deal. You can also carry more ammunition with less weight, and the gun doesn't beat you up shooting it in lighter clothes. Lastly, I still shoot NSCA with a 28 in the sub bore class. The targets still disappear when I do my part.