doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 28 gauge. A viable hunting option????

I certainly wouldn't kick a 28 out of my gun cabinet as a dedicated quail gun, but my 16 is so much fun to shoot and is so effective on everything short of big waterfowl that I just can't justify it. When I can afford to buy another gun just for the fun of it, maybe then.

Well, after the day I had in the field on Saturday, I think I could have used a BB gun and done well. Of all days to have left my .410 at home, this wasn't the right day. Luck was on my side and I would have gladly used a 28ga instead of the 20ga I had with me.

Mid September, Northern Wisconsin, lots and lots of leaves. Grouse Opener. Woodcock probably not here just yet. Tight working spaniel. Grouse flushing in your face, leaves there almost as fast.
"Close" shooting! Pull the barrel hard to the front of the bird picking leaves in front of its beak as your target, if you can still see it.
A featherweight 28 ga-heaven!
You may not get any more birds, but with the temperature above 70, your 28 ga will still make hunting a pleasure. Plus, if you constantly remember to shoot in front of the bird where you only see leaves, your dog may reward you with something warm. Otherwise, give me a 20 or a 16 for later season.

First of September, North Central Washington, Grouse opener. Temps in the 70's and lot's of up and down and through the brush. The new 870 Wingmaster is light as a feather and a delight to carry. Coming up on what looks to be a great covert the first bird flushes faster than I can act. Though there is always another close behind the gun comes up to shoulder just the same. The second one drops like a rock. Nice full featherd male, hardly looks touched, yet dead as a proverbial door nail. No other opportunities that day. After hanging in shade for a day it dressed out for the table and several No. 7 1/2 pellets had pierced it's spine. The breasts were untouched. Yup, I think I'm gonna like 28 bore for grouse.
Now to find a double... [img]http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/Album...186/t_=82420186[/img]

Some of these topics are a bit humorous to see being rehashed again and again. Like what is the ultimate shot size? This and the Model 21 topic only come down to personal preference. No more.For anyone that doesn't believe that 28 gauge is a viable option on most game birds, tells me more about their own abilities, or lack of experience with the gauge. If not for the cost of shells, the 28 would be far more used than it is currently. The 28 has killed numerous wild pheasant, chukar, turkeys, ducks and many coyotes for me, it will do the same for any of you. IF you shoot straight.

The 'gauntlet' has been thrown down!

This is of course applicable to any gauge. If both are equally choked the differense is "NOT" in pattern diameter, but pattern density. Within it's patttern density limit thus a 28 is no harder to hit with than any other gauge. Where the difference comes in is when shooting at longer ranges requires a tighter choke than would normally be used for the larger gauge. Comparing 1oz with 3/4oz "All" other things being equal the 1oz load has about a 15% range advantage over the 3/4oz load or about that % more open choke. Thus it might take a mod 28ga to "reach out" equally to an I/C 20ga. Not really enough to seperate the "Elite" & fantastic shooters from the "Slobs". What turns so many off is those who try to turn their choice of a gun into some kind of Great Status symble for "Themselves" & make themselves appear so much greater than the "Average Bear".
As to the 21, it's another double, some like it, some don't. "All" of us who don't "Are Not" jealous of those who do. I actually do like my Lefever better & have no secret desire for a 21. But again the attitude of many 21 owners turn me off far more than the gun itself.

I'm not interested in throwing down the gauntlet.
In every arena "snobbery" rises its head. This is why Starbucks coffee does so well.
I am getting older but still enjoy climbing the mountain for chukars. A light gun works well for me, open shots and relatively close shots not through underbrush.
If someone else likes to use a 20, 16, 12, more power to them. In the same way that I enjoy seeing Setter, GWP, Pointers, Brits in the field. Without having to mention that my dog is better than yours or you shouldn't use that Lab here, it should be a pointer. As a boy I shot many grouse with an 870 12 gauge, I choose not to anymore. If someone else does, more power to them.

I thought Starbucks did really well 'cause it had so much caffeine.

Easy Fred, I was just funnin.