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Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 213 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 213 Likes: 3 |
I've decided I REALLY need a 28ga. Hunting the high country of Colorado just begs for a light weight double and a 28 is plenty of gun for close range blue grouse and ptarmigan. Besides, my two hunting buddies have 28's and I have to mope along with nothing smaller than a 20. Retired and having champagne tastes with a beer budget, I'm trying to find a gun, preferably a stack barreled gun, for l/t $2000. So far Rugers and Rizinni Veronas are within the budget. Your thoughts on these or other options?
Steve
"Every one must believe in something, I believe I'll go hunting today."
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,880 Likes: 16
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,880 Likes: 16 |
Uggies, AYAs, and maybe few other Spanish boxlocks would be in the picture. My brother-in-law just bought a 28 ga Spanish boxlock from a member here for around that budget. Citoris are available in that gauge and budget, but are so heavy it would be a moot point to go from a 20 ga to a Citori 28 g. For a stack barrel, there was an influx of small gauge Rizzini guns a few yrs ago that was around $2k. A lot of them showed up at the range. How about this http://www.gunsinternational.com/Beretta-ONYX-PRO-28ga-28-9814.cfm?gun_id=100387393There was also the
Last edited by Chuck H; 11/17/13 10:19 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 100
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 100 |
Beretta 28s are available within your price range.
The best hunting is between now and dark.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,379 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,379 Likes: 105 |
You can find a lot of 28ga OU's lighter than the Ruger--which is not light by 28ga standards. I once put an Army & Navy 12ga boxlock, 28" barrels, on a scale right after a guy put his Ruger 28 on the same scale. I beat him by an ounce. Something like my 6/3 to his 6/4.
You want a really light 28ga OU, the Browning Cynergy Feather comes in around 5 3/4 with 28" barrels. But the same gun in 20ga will weigh about 1/4 lb less (28 built on a 20ga frame). And therein lies the problem with a lot of 28ga doubles: because they're built on 20ga frames, the 20's will be lighter.
My Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon V 28ga, 28", came in just under 6#. If you can find one of the FAIR 28's (I. Rizzini) used--they also make the Veronas, but I'm not sure about weight on those--they're pretty light. Older, fixed choke Beretta OU's (BL series) can be quite light in 20ga, as can some of the older Franchi OU's, but you'll look long and hard to find either in 28ga. If you want something hardly anyone else has, the Zoli-Rizzini guns imported by Abercrombie back in the 60's are very light in 28ga. Mostly sxs, but I once saw an OU 28 that was right around 5#.
And while a lot of Citori models are on the heavy side, some are not. The Superlight Feather runs about 5 3/4# but that's in 20ga. Not available in 28. The 625 Feather is available in both 20 and 28. Like the Cynergy in weight: About 5 1/2 in 20, 5 3/4 in 28.
Last edited by L. Brown; 11/17/13 10:33 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,065
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,065 |
I had a Franchi Veloce (or Squire?). It came with 20ga and 28ga barrel sets. It weighed less than six pounds with either set. It was well made and reliable. That would fit in your budget.
Best,
Mike
I am glad to be here.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,757 Likes: 748
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,757 Likes: 748 |
I've decided I REALLY need a 28ga. Hunting the high country of Colorado just begs for a light weight double and a 28 is plenty of gun for close range blue grouse and ptarmigan. Besides, my two hunting buddies have 28's and I have to mope along with nothing smaller than a 20. Retired and having champagne tastes with a beer budget, I'm trying to find a gun, preferably a stack barreled gun, for l/t $2000. So far Rugers and Rizinni Veronas are within the budget. Your thoughts on these or other options?
Steve How well do you shoot your buddies light 28 gauge guns? Have you ever borrowed one and used it on game? Most, not all, but most people have a much more difficult time shooting a very light gun. McIntosh touched on that subject a bit in his "Shooting Sportsman" days, and likely disappointed a lot of guys when he said a 28 probably shouldn't weigh less than 6 lbs. They are a bit more expensive to feed than a 20, something you can mitigate a bit by reloading, but, a very well known English gunsmith once assured me that he would be a much poorer man were it not for Americans with good English doubles and reloading presses. I've never shot the Ruger 28, but, I've handled a few of them and they certainly feel well balanced. I suspect a 20 gauge version of any 28 gauge is really much more practical. But, few hobbies of man have anything to do with practicality. Good luck. Best, Ted
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553 |
here'a Ruger28, cheers franc
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 478 Likes: 59
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 478 Likes: 59 |
Steve,
I've fought the 28 Ga. bug off several times. One of the few times for a man where having less of something is appealing!
There is light and there is too light. For me, and I would bet most, right around six pounds is the bottom edge of weight that will be shot well, balance aside. I have spent a day with a Ruger 28 and at 6-3 the gun was very nice to carry and shoot, (several times, with success).
Good Luck!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 638
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 638 |
How about a light English boxlock 2" or 2.5" 12 gauge. many of them are 6 lbs and some less...
There are also 16 and 20 gauge Fox Sterlingworths that weigh 6 lbs and are priced well under $2k.
Last edited by Mark Ouellette; 11/17/13 11:38 AM.
USMC Retired
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 200
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 200 |
I have had a Ruger Red Label 28 ga for several years, and I like it a lot.
IIRC, Savage imported a pretty nice Italian O/U 20 ga, sorry but the name escapes me at the moment. I seem to recall they were closed-out at around $800. There may be some used ones out there for a good price.
If you have access to an Academy Sporting Goods, drop in and have a look at the Yildiz O/U. They are made on a 20 ga frame, but it is a light alloy with a stainless steel breech insert. Sub-6 lbs. and sub-$500.
CZ's are a bit heavier and a bit more expensive, but are pretty good guns with an excellent warranty and service. Still under or close to a grand.
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