$#@%! Shotguns! or I bought a 28ga

[anapex]

I'll tell ya what getting in to shotguns is going to get me in to more trouble then anything else I think. So I was at my local store to think over getting the used 870 in 28ga they had when I decided to look around some and think it over. Well I came across another one I really liked and after talking with the wife about it (who had no complaints about me buying it) so instead of walking out with a used 28ga 870 I walk out with a used 28ga Beretta Silver Pigeon! Of course now I owe GWG a lot of chores and favors but it should be worth it. I do have a couple questions now though, how can you tell the model of the shotgun? All that is marked on the gun for me is the gauge, chamber length, and "Silver Pigeon". I vaguely remember the salesguy telling me the model number but I was drooling so I forgot. Also what choke should I use for trap? I'm guessing I would go tighter then mod but I want to make sure. Also what does everyone think about Estate shotshells? I was able to get a flat (10 boxes) for $50 (instead of $70 for Winchester). Are they decent? Reloadable or just throwaways?

 

[00-Guy]

Estate's are fine. A large precentage of the folks that I shoot with use them (for trap). They are often the least expensive of the "better" shells. Most of the spents end up on the ground. Now was the flat price for 12 or 28 GA? If 12 that's high. If 28 GA, get another flat.

 

[kudu]

I tried to load a few of the estates in 28ga and blew the primer out in my 1100. The primers that are in estates must be a bit bigger than a Win209, because I could push them in by hand into a deprimed shell.

I believe the model # is 687 for your gun, although there are several silver pigeons in other models, only one has a 28ga. The Model # may be under the forearm or under the barrels in the receiver area.

 

[PJR]

I walk out with a used 28ga Beretta Silver Pigeon!

Excellent choice in both gun and gauge. These are very sweet guns. What barrel length is your gun?

The 28 gauge is a superb gauge. I sold a large portion of my selection of shotguns in pursuit of a 28 gauge o/u last year and have no regrets. I went through a brief period of losing interest in the 28 but only because I shoot my 12 better. But a few rounds of subgauge sporting and my enthusiasm returns. This little cartridge hits the targets with authority and leaves the shooter feeling a lot better after a couple hundred targets.

I don't have any experience with Estate cartridges. I have shot a lot of Challenger 28 gauge and am very impressed with it. Challenger uses Cheddite hulls and there are plenty of good reloading recipes for them.

Paul

 

[Dave McCracken]

The Cheddite hulls used by Estate use a slightly larger primer. It's available from Ballistic Products, IIRC. The ammo itself is good.

Sounds like a nice shotgun. You've getting quite a collection there.

Try Mod at first, you may be surprised.

And, be large of heart and let GWG shoot the 28 gauge. It may end up being her gun until your little ones grow enough to use it.

 

[anapex]

00: The $50 flat was for 28ga, they were selling Estate 12ga for $40 or $35.

Kudu: I've looked all over the gun and for the life of me can't see anything that resembles what I think the model number should be. A lot of proof stamps,etc but no model besides the words "Silver Pigeon" on the bottom of the receiver above the trigger guard.

PJR: If I'm remembering right the barrel length is 26" or 28", can't quite remember which.

Dave: Quite the unexpected collection, I always figured I'd only have a few shotguns. Never the 10 or so I have now! Erica said she'd try it but she really likes her 12ga so we'll see.

I just like the weight of this gun, nice and light and swings well for me. Once I get good with it the only thing I'll have to worry about is convincing myself to take it out in to the field after game. I'm guessing grouse would be the largest I would want to go after with this? Another choke question too, is improved modified tighter or more open then regular modified? IM was among the chokes I got with the gun ( F, M, 2 ICs, C) so I'm just wondering where it fits in with the others.

 

[frankandjesse]

The 686 was also made in 28 gauge and called the Silver Pidgeon. It was built on the 20 gauge frame. A friend had one that was a sweet shooter.
Great guns!

 

[sm]

*snicker*

anapex,

Congrats on the new gun !

 

[PJR]

is improved modified tighter or more open then regular modified?

Tighter

And I'd be cautious about lending the 28 gauge to your good lady. You might not get it back.

Paul

 

[Bear Gulch]

congrats. You'll be able to get better shells next case, although estates aren't bad.

 

[Tom Held]

Estate Experience

My experience with Estate shotgun shells, 410 and 28, has been dismal. On the 410 the hulls often split when fired and it's impossible to reload them. Also the powder is dirty and results in a lot of gun cleaning. I've noticed gas leaks around the primers as well. I'm shooting up the last flats that I have and going back to Remingtons and Winchesters.

You may be surprised at how tight the 28 patterns. Dave is correct about using Mod at 16 yard trap. Great dove and quail gun.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Does it have a brass inlay towards the heel of the butt stock??? if yes---687------if no--- 686.

 

[anapex]

Thanks for all the help guys, it is a 686 (no shiny medallion thing in the stock) with 26" barrels. Another thing I was thinking now too, which will probably get me in to even more trouble. Since the frame is a 20ga frame that they made the 28ga barrels for, would I easily be able to get a set of 20 gauge barrels for it? And about how much might they run?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Yes you can get a set of 20 gauge barrels. I'm not sure you can get dropins though, they may need fitting. Not inexpensive.

Call Beretta in Accokeek. When I have, they've been quite helpful.

 

[Tom Held]

Beretta Barrels

You might also call PG and talk to Mark Biggins or Chen. They are a Beretta dealer and might be able to get the barrel for you. The barrel and likely required gunsmithing to make it fit could easily run up to $1,000 or more.

 

[anapex]

Well Dave, I'm paying for getting that deal on the TC now. I went back in to the shop to pick up a bore snake in 28ga (which they didn't have) only to see a basic model 686 with both a 20ga and 28ga barrel set for only a couple hundred more then what I paid for mine! Granted the wood on mine is a lot better but I still would have jumped on the one with the two sets of barrels first. I also asked them (since they're a beretta dealer also) about getting a 20ga set fitted and it was around the $1k mark . I guess I gotta do some spring cleaning and selling or at least find a sneaky way to get another 686 past GWG.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Yup, Karma means what goes around is what comes around. However, you still have one nice 28, with or without 20 gauge barrels.

Finding cleaning stuff for a 28 can be difficult. In a pinch, a Range rod as used by Muzzleloading folks with a 54 caliber brush can do the job.

The mail order places like Gamaliel and Midway carry snakes in divers sizes, but check at PGC first. They carry a surprisingly broad range of stuff.

 

[Tom Held]

410 Version

You can make a nice 410 out of that pretty 28 by purchasing a set of full length Briley tubes. I did that with a Ruger 28 and makes it a great double purpose gun. I think the tubes for the Ruger were about $500 and just dropped right in. Actually added a little extra weight to the Ruger which was fine since it's a little whippy.