Tillyflo Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 Evening all, New to the forum so please forgive me if this has been covered in the past. I'm considering the purchase of a 28 gauge. I do a fair bit of roost shooting and the 12 bore is great but I fancy something different. Moreover I like to shoot rabbits over my dogs in the summer and wondered what the 28 would be like for that as well as walked up and rough days for mixed bags of pheasant, woodcock and partridge during the season. Anyone with experience of a 28? Any any advice on best cartridges and loads would be genuinely appreciated. Thanks in advance. TF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 Yep, cracking gauge for all that. Nice and light to carry and will do the job if you do. Price of shells may persuade you to reload, all down to how many your going to get through really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 i mainly use 20g,did have a yildiz 28g for quite a while nice little calibre but weight of gun was the same as my lanber game 20g,and more choice of shells for the 20,so on my experience i would go for the 20g, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB1 Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 I'm sure you'll get some advice on here, but if not, here's a decent blog on the matter……... https://blog.1800gunsandammo.com/why-opt-for-a-28-gauge/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs 14 Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 Never used one myself but have a mate who uses one on occasion , mostly just as a walk about gun if he’s out with the dogs , he does complain about cost of shells and limited choice , but as it doesn’t come out a lot I think he just puts up with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 Great calibre use it in dog trails driven days and general walk about. cartridgesused to be hard to get now easy enough and a good 28 load costs about the same a premium 12 load. You can’t come cheap bulk loads as there aren’t any for the 28. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted December 30, 2019 Report Share Posted December 30, 2019 I looked at a 28b . Basically decided i would get it .then asked the rfd about carts. He said we dont have any ." Oh can you get me some " - er not really " Its still on his racks 2 years later at a much reduced price . Not the guns fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted December 30, 2019 Report Share Posted December 30, 2019 Fab little guns. years ago I bought a browning cynergy 28 hunter. Great for your standard driven day and also walked up when the birds flush close in. Lighter loads than a 12 combined with size 6 shot doesn’t go well on birds getting up early. acquiring cartridge, never a problem or buy in bulk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted December 30, 2019 Report Share Posted December 30, 2019 12 hours ago, Ultrastu said: I looked at a 28b . Basically decided i would get it .then asked the rfd about carts. He said we dont have any ." Oh can you get me some " - er not really " Its still on his racks 2 years later at a much reduced price . Not the guns fault. Just cartridges will deliver them to your house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Heron Posted January 1, 2020 Report Share Posted January 1, 2020 My wife bought me one for my birthday I absolutely love it took it on a shoot day and yes I missed a lot but it makes you concentrate and when you hit them down they come and the great thing is you can carry it all day long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
button Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 11 hours ago, The Heron said: My wife bought me one for my birthday I absolutely love it took it on a shoot day and yes I missed a lot but it makes you concentrate and when you hit them down they come and the great thing is you can carry it all day long What kind you choose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 (edited) Like shooting a 410, I think using a 28gauge is confidence in the gun in your hand. I have shot alongside a number of shooters with a 28 gauge and have seen some excllent shooting. I seriously looked at getting one a few months ago but eventually decided to stay with my 410 and not chip and chop about. If you shoot one gun well then stick ith it is my motto. Again like the 410, size related action not a 12 gauge with 410 barrels, the 28 gauge is a joy to carry and you can put a mornings shells in one pocket. Heron, not a sneaky move there on your wifes part ????? Does she shoot as well Edited January 2, 2020 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spower Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 28ga and .410 are by far my favourite gauges. I find the enjoyment of shooting the smaller lighter guns far outweigh the frustration of missing due to being a smaller gauge (which 99.9% is my error) Tried going back to my 12ga but didn't enjoy it half as much and ended up missing just as much. I'm currently selling both my 12's and sticking to 28ga and .410. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rifleman22 Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 28gauge excellent, providing you use a suitable cartridge for your needs, ok, got an o/u any shell’s will work light to carry, if shooting clays 21gram 9s does the trick. A400, minimum wt needs to be 21grms and 70mm cartridge to recycle the action efficiently, Rhino do extended chokes which pattern well. The pattern at 30yrds if compared to a12gauge using similar chokes and cartridges (eg 24gram /full choke) the pattern is very similar in spread, however the 12 has more pellets ,but the 28s coverage is more than adequate for reasonable clays and light rough shooting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 I have shot a 28 for years on driven and walked up. They are a super gauge and I now have a Guerini with 20&28 bore barrels so I do not have to change guns. I have not gone super light in guns and recommend 21-24 gms in 6 for game. It will kill at sensible ranges if you put the pattern in the right place. Eley VIP is a good cartridge but frankly I haven’t used a bad one. For clays I am happy to drop to 18 gms. Do not be tempted to use 12 g loads as it defeats the object. go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapid .25 Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) Whenever I have a walked up rough shooting day my 28g really puts a smile on my face I use 28g- 6s and I'm able to carry it round all day, for clays I use 24g- 7.5s with pretty good results. I would suggest getting one with 30" barrels but that's only my preference. P.S. welcome to the forum. Edited January 12, 2020 by rapid .25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 2 hours ago, rapid .25 said: Whenever I have a walked up rough shooting day my 28g really puts a smile on my face I use 28g- 6s and I'm able to carry it round all day, for clays I use 24g- 7.5s with pretty good results. I would suggest getting one with 30" barrels but that's only my preference. P.S. welcome to the forum. 28g 6’s through a 28 bore? What are they like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) Like a 12 bore load? But the 28 bore O/U will weigh as much as a light 12, or more, otherwise the 12 bore load is gonna kick. My mate had a 28 bore Mcnab Highlander weighed nearly 6lb, but now has a pair of Guerinis weighing nearer 7 lbs. To me that is a heavy 12 bore. My 12 weighs 6 lb 2 oz. Edited January 12, 2020 by London Best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) 38 minutes ago, London Best said: Like a 12 bore load? But the 28 bore O/U will weigh as much as a light 12, or more, otherwise the 12 bore load is gonna kick. My mate had a 28 bore Mcnab Highlander weighed nearly 6lb, but now has a pair of Guerinis weighing nearer 7 lbs. To me that is a heavy 12 bore. My 12 weighs 6 lb 2 oz. I was just thinking that 😂 a 28 bore shooting a load that your easily see in a 12 bore... I thought the 28 bore must be a lot lighter ... then then surely would kick like a SOB! 🤔 Edited January 12, 2020 by Lloyd90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapid .25 Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Lloyd90 said: 28g 6’s through a 28 bore? What are they like? Hi Lloyd, I use Lyalvale express supreme game 28grm-6s, they do everything I want in the field , they hit like a mule but have very little recoil, I have just ordered a slab of R.C. 28 grm in 6s with a cork wad to try out, ordered from just cartridges at a very good price, £117 slab, got to be worth a try, Edited January 12, 2020 by rapid .25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 48 minutes ago, London Best said: Like a 12 bore load? But the 28 bore O/U will weigh as much as a light 12, or more, otherwise the 12 bore load is gonna kick. My mate had a 28 bore Mcnab Highlander weighed nearly 6lb, but now has a pair of Guerinis weighing nearer 7 lbs. To me that is a heavy 12 bore. My 12 weighs 6 lb 2 oz. I think weight is debatable as 'balance' is far more important. I have a Yilditz 410 with 30 inch barrels. I had a 28 inch barreled model first off but the balance of the 30s makes a great improvement for ME...6ft plus and 15stone and may not suit a person 5ft 8in and 8stone wet through....horses for courses. Good balance can make a gun seem much lighter.. Like the actress said to the bishop...it falls to the hand nicely. I am a bit of a 410 nut but have played with getting a 28 just for comparison purposes of course. I think that and a 16 gauge are probably the very best all round game gun gauges for sensible shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 52 minutes ago, Lloyd90 said: I was just thinking that 😂 a 28 bore shooting a load that your easily see in a 12 bore... I thought the 28 bore must be a lot lighter ... then then surely would kick like a SOB! 🤔 Most British made 28 bore doubles weigh about 5 to 5 1/4 lbs, but they were only designed for 2 1/2 inch cartridges with 16 grams of shot. The American standard 2 3/4 inch cartridge carried 21 grams (3/4 oz). It is only comparatively recently that powders have been developed that will allow 28 gram to be fired from a 28 bore gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 5 hours ago, London Best said: Most British made 28 bore doubles weigh about 5 to 5 1/4 lbs, but they were only designed for 2 1/2 inch cartridges with 16 grams of shot. The American standard 2 3/4 inch cartridge carried 21 grams (3/4 oz). It is only comparatively recently that powders have been developed that will allow 28 gram to be fired from a 28 bore gun. 21g of 7 shot, I imagine would be a lovely walked up cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 My 28 5lbs 1oz and 21g of 6 is a great load if I can’t get that 23g is ok to. If a load of 28g loads that I’ll never use if any local want to offer a couple of quid for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 I like a 28 bore a lot. They are really sweet to shoot with the right cartridge. I picked up a Beretta 687 28 bore a few years back. It's got a 14 7/8 lop and has 30 inch barrels choked half and 3/4. I think it was a special order or something as it wasn't imported by GMK. They are a surprising good hide gun. My 28 bore is on the left of the photo and my mates 12 bore is on the right. We took alternate shots on the day and it went 50/50 ish. I don't know whether you can still get these Bornaghi 28 bore shells? These 24 gram No 7 are really nice. I'm afraid to say folk go wrong when they buy a 28 bore which is best described as a "boys" gun and the fit and dimension(s) are all wrong. You can get them man sized !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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