miroku_fan Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 If you buy a 28 gauge over and under shotgun you will find that it becomes your favourite gun very quickly. It is such a pleasure to shoot that other gauges seem to pale into insignificance. I am addicted to mine and feel at no disadvantage when shooting in the company of Guns using their 12 or 20 gauge shotguns. Cartridges are expensive but they comprise of quality components and throw very effective patterns with little perceived recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 As above I feel no recoil and can shoot the gun with one hand. Cracking gun just wish there was more choice in cartridges. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 If I was worrying over 28 or twenty in terms of how far I could shoot them I should get a light 12 ga as that will better them both A light 12 gauge is a very poor substitute for a 28 gauge shotgun in terms of balance, handling, recoil and shot pattern. I have owned a Beretta Ultralight that had heavy steel barrels, a light alloy action and a hollowed out stock which was a very unpleasant experience to shoot. It was barrel heavy, poorly balanced and kicked like the proverbial mule even with light loads. I am also not a fan of chamber/ barrel inserts either. In order to experience the advantage of shooting a 28 cartridge it needs to be fired through a 28 gauge shotgun. To shoot a 28 cartridge through a 12 gauge with skeeters, chamber mates or whatever is not the same as shooting the same cartridge through a beautifully balanced 28 gauge shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 I am also not a fan of chamber/ barrel inserts either. In order to experience the advantage of shooting a 28 cartridge it needs to be fired through a 28 gauge shotgun. To shoot a 28 cartridge through a 12 gauge with skeeters, chamber mates or whatever is not the same as shooting the same cartridge through a beautifully balanced 28 gauge shotgun. Of course not, but it is certainly a cheaper alternative, and quite handy if you have the odd occasion to shoot a smaller gauge shell. I've got the 12-28 GaugeMate inserts - and the gun feels lovely. Hardly feel any recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Of course not, but it is certainly a cheaper alternative, and quite handy if you have the odd occasion to shoot a smaller gauge shell. I've got the 12-28 GaugeMate inserts - and the gun feels lovely. Hardly feel any recoil. What is the point of shooting 28 gauge cartridges through a 12 gauge shotgun? The shot pattern will be at best disappointing but I am sure that you will tell me you achieve excellent kills or breaks with this set up. If you want to shoot 28 gauge cartridges then buy a 28 gauge shotgun. Simples! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 What is the point of shooting 28 gauge cartridges through a 12 gauge shotgun? The shot pattern will be at best disappointing but I am sure that you will tell me you achieve excellent kills or breaks with this set up. If you want to shoot 28 gauge cartridges then buy a 28 gauge shotgun. Simples! The point is that I don't want another gun just yet and this is an inexpensive way for me to shoot 28ga. Why would I want to? For instance giving people a go who are scared of or can't physically handle recoil. Will patterns be as good as a true 28ga - of course not - nobody has said they would. FYI here are some patters from the manufacturer: 30" circle @ 30 yards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttfjlc Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Those pattern plates look ok to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwizard Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 I got myself some gauge adapters. In my case a set of 12 to 28 adapters from Gaugemate.com. I shot them last weekend in my 12ga OU - and it was quite fun. Only 16gram cartridges (all I could find), barely any recoil, and managed to hit a few clays with it too I'm thinking of getting an inexpensive non-ejector SBS to leave these in there permanently - perhaps cutting down the stock so my younger son can handle it. Though there are a few disadvantages - like it not ejecting or extracting the shell - for $99 (plus shipping) certainly cheaper than buying a new gun for the odd times you want to shoot a different calibre. They are US company are the postage costs prohibitive and did you have any problems with customs , I want a 28 gauge adapter and thought there was a UK company doing them ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 No it won't what do this refer to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Of course not, but it is certainly a cheaper alternative, and quite handy if you have the odd occasion to shoot a smaller gauge shell. I've got the 12-28 GaugeMate inserts - and the gun feels lovely. Hardly feel any recoil. What is the point of shooting 28 gauge cartridges through a 12 gauge shotgun? The shot pattern will be at best disappointing but I am sure that you will tell me you achieve excellent kills or breaks with this set up. If you want to shoot 28 gauge cartridges then buy a 28 gauge shotgun. Simples! You know you might think so but the fact is I also get decent patterns through Little skeeter .410 adapters in my 12 ga gun. Certainly equal to the same shells in my fourten gun. I think velocity might be down but that don't honestly matter a heap with the .410 shell as shot count limits clean kills to 20-25 yards. I cannot honestly understand why but it sure as heck does through a good pattern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 They are US company are the postage costs prohibitive and did you have any problems with customs , I want a 28 gauge adapter and thought there was a UK company doing them ? I bought them on a trip over, but he did say that they ship them to the UK all the time. I think shipping to the UK was about $30, but I think they can ship a whole load for the same money, so if you can find someone else who wants a set, might be worth splitting the shipping charge. You will more than likely have to pay vat too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwizard Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Thanks aris , I was thinking of a 28 gauge and also wondering about the .22 l.r. on my f.a.c. , reading it has 5" of rifling thinking it would be handy to have shotgun and advantage of a .22 together , how would it all apply from US though compared to UK co. should be simpler with no customs probs . , did you have to declare them ? Bought a firing pin for a rifle about 20 years back from USA for fraction of price in UK , waited 6 weeks nothing , rang them and they said customs impounded it , couple days later c.officer and our local p.officer knocked my door , had to show them the rifle I needed pin for and my f.a.c. , thought it all sorted but they said I should have filled in import form so I did not get the part anyway , ended up getting one from J.Knibbs but lot more expensive , since then only bought in UK . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 FYI here are some patters from the manufacturer. Pattern 28 gauge cartridges through your gun and post the photographs. I would be surprised if you got the same even distribution of pellets that this manufacturer has achieved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 https://www.gov.uk/import-controls-on-offensive-weapons Importing component firearms parts is prohibited unless you have a licence for the firearm that the parts are intended for. This is because individual firearms parts can be used for reasons other than legitimate repairs - eg to reactivate firearms that have previously been modified to stop them from firing. I know that having an FAC rifle which is able to accommodate multiple calibres by swapping barrels needs an FAC slot for each barrel, so I'm not sure what the legalities would be importing FAC parts which would modify the use of your shotgun to FAC - personally, I would not risk it without finding out first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 20 bore IMHO best lighter versatile option. Gauge reducers only really work well by reducing one guage ie 12-20 or 20/28. There are full barrel ones which are supposed to be good also eject! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 How did that adapter work out for you? Only just spotted your post from the 7th. Adapters are ordered but not yet arrived. Had an e mail from them saying they were moving premises and were currently out of stock and a new batch was in the process of being manufactured. Will update when they arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAsh Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 (edited) 20 bore IMHO best lighter versatile option. Gauge reducers only really work well by reducing one guage ie 12-20 or 20/28. There are full barrel ones which are supposed to be good also eject! They are tubes that fit inside the shotgun and reduce the full internal barrel to a smaller gauge, In the states they do a lot of 4 gauge skeet shooting and find using the same gun a big advantage, so the have full length alloy tubes for 20g, 28, 410 that fit inside the 12 gauge with very little extra weight. They used to have to be made gun specific but now you can get them without having to send your gun away, cost about £600 each pair, the ejectors still work with all sizes Edited February 9, 2014 by ChrisAsh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 20 bore IMHO best lighter versatile option. Gauge reducers only really work well by reducing one guage ie 12-20 or 20/28. There are full barrel ones which are supposed to be good also eject!is this from hearsay? because my 12 to .410 work just fine when tested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 They are tubes that fit inside the shotgun and reduce the full internal barrel to a smaller gauge, In the states they do a lot of 4 gauge skeet shooting and find using the same gun a big advantage, so the have full length alloy tubes for 20g, 28, 410 that fit inside the 12 gauge with very little extra weight. They used to have to be made gun specific but now you can get them without having to send your gun away, cost about £600 each pair, the ejectors still work with all sizes How do the ejectors still work with a smaller cartridge? The cartridge must be centred surly for the firing pin to work on it, so a 28 or 410 in a 12guage the ejector would go past it, wouldn't it? Do the reducers have ejector extension bits fitted to them to work. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwizard Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 You know you might think so but the fact is I also get decent patterns through Little skeeter .410 adapters in my 12 ga gun. Certainly equal to the same shells in my fourten gun. I think velocity might be down but that don't honestly matter a heap with the .410 shell as shot count limits clean kills to 20-25 yards. I cannot honestly understand why but it sure as heck does through a good pattern I suppose that due to the larger bore barrel they open the pattern out better than a small gauge .410 barrel . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I suppose that due to the larger bore barrel they open the pattern out better than a small gauge .410 barrel . surprisingly the patterns are very similar to my .410 with full choke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwizard Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 surprisingly the patterns are very similar to my .410 with full choke Whats the choke on your 12 bore barrel ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 How did that adapter work out for you? Gaugemate 10 to 12 adapters finally arrived. Been out this morning and banged off a 100 at the local clay ground for 20p a bang. Nice to put this many shells through the 10 as half a dozen shots on the marsh isn't enough to really get used to the gun. Also, 1oz 12 bore carts have almost no recoil in a 9 1/2 lb gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 Gaugemate 10 to 12 adapters finally arrived. Been out this morning and banged off a 100 at the local clay ground for 20p a bang. Nice to put this many shells through the 10 as half a dozen shots on the marsh isn't enough to really get used to the gun. Also, 1oz 12 bore carts have almost no recoil in a 9 1/2 lb gun. Nice. I notice the same thing with 28ga cartriges in my 12ga - no recoil whatsoever - though admittedly the cartridges have less lead in them. How do you find extraction of the shells using the adaptor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 The empties don't fully eject, just pop out about half way so no problem to pull them out. Found that the cases with deep brass heads don't come out as cleanly as the shallow ones, I guess there's just more metal to expand and cause friction but still not a problem getting them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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