First thought is: what are the chokes? Second thought is that the 28 ga. is "reputed" to apparently have a shorter shot string. Reason most often given is that it has a "square load". Searching for a definition of "square load", the most common and logical definition is that the load of shot is the same dimension in diameter as in length. Only problem with that is that I don't the 28 ga. load meets that definition. I'm going to measure some and will report back.
Reporting back: the 28 ga. (3/4 oz.) load is about twice as long as it is wide. Your 5/8 oz. won't be greatly different. without even weighing and measuring the height of the shot column, merely looking at the length of the shot cup petals give you a major clue.
Tom Roster says the 28 ga. mystique is mostly just urban legend. Bob Brister said they were great but have the normal limits of the rest of the gauges.
If carrying the light gun all day and shooting it with little recoil puts more birds in your bag, more power to ya'.
I love shooting 28 gauges but have never observed any real "magic".
On any given day I might shoot a better score with my 28 than I usually shoot with a 12 but like Brister, if I was in a competition, I would surely use a 12 ga.
I'd have to suspect the 28 ga was putting more pellets into the birds. Shooting some patterns might show a clue.
Last edited by Jim Legg; 09/07/08 06:33 PM.
