The 28 gauge patterns efficiently because its -ounce payload is . One of the best things the 28-gauge gun has going for it is something it lacks: recoil. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The second shot hit the target square, delivering a 97-pellet TSS sandwich right in the kill zone. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Winchester offers no other 28 gauge hunting load. It was shot string that was the final evidence Brister needed to make a case for the 28-gauge. Almost 10 percent of upland hunters preferred the 28-gauge to other gauges, making it the fourth most popular gauge overall. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 20-yard pattern shot through the choke of the Yildiz .410 using the Gamebore ".410 Target" 14g/#9 shell. A square load for 28-gauge would be around 7/16 oz for small lead shot like #7.5. My only wish was that I started earlier in life! And, is it so good that those who already own a 410 should get rid of their guns in favor of the 28? John Gordon This is a high brass Express Extra Long Range load with 3/4 ounce of #6 or #7 1/2 shot at a MV of 1295 fps. Several times I have taken the Model 12 as a second gun on hunts to Alaska and used it to keep the camp well fed with ptarmigan and ducks after filling my big-game tag. Modern shotgun ballistics have moved towards it being only the relation of the shot itself because ultimately the breakthrough that shot deforms shot is where all the ballistics change. Both are capable of killing waterfowl at that distance without any measurable difference. As much as I love the 28 gauge I will have to admit to a couple of strikes against it; the ammunition usually costs more than the larger gauges and not every corner hardware store stocks it. Remington Model 870 Wingmaster. The 28-gauge is favored by older demographics with good taste; baby boomers come in at 12.12 percent listing it as their preferred gauge. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. At every trigger pull, the dark shoot-and-see turkey target turned neon green. In the future, well likely see more 28-gauge turkey guns hit the market if hunters decide to take up the shell. This produced the pattern I had expected. But I have found studies as far back as the 50s referring to only shot in square load theory. That core is usually about 15 inches across. Since then, I have learned with conviction that ruffed grouse are even more mysterious than whitetail. Uncertainty is one of the great allures of hunting. The problem with these assertions, according to ammunition manufacturers, is that they simply arent true. Its small wonder that many people prefer to shoot 20- or 28-gauge guns for skeet, despite the fact that theyre throwing fewer pellets at the target. At 150 pounds soaking wet, I have found a love for the 28-gauge shotgun. An over-under in 28 gauge, like the author's. There is also a small window that runs the length of the fore-end so you can see how many shells are in the magazine. All rights reserved. Popular opinion holds that 28-gauge guns for flushing birds should weigh between 5-1/2 and six pounds, while some prefer a bit more weight for guns used for skeet and pass shooting. 2014-2023 Project Upland Media Group, LLC. Ive tried several steel loads over the years and have had mixed results. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you dont think this makes much difference, consider the cumulative effect of all that recoil energy. The 28-gauge hit the pattern board so hard it jarred out one of the thumbtacks holding the paper, Brister noticed. Both the8-gauge and 10-gauge were common and popular. Even though the 28 gauge kicks more, its more gun for less weight than the 410 and the clear winner for this category. All were developed for clay target shooting but due to the extremely hard No. 28 gauge test pattern - YouTube 0:00 / 1:01 28 gauge test pattern champ68sg 13 subscribers Subscribe 5 2.4K views 9 years ago Testing a 28 gauge for pattern. To way over-simplify their findings: The bigger the bore, the better it patterned, and we could discern no magic .55 inch, ounce payload relationship. Its complicated. Theyll take less of a pounding in the process, and possibly shoot better. The heavier the shot charge, the more powder needed to drive it fast enough. Kindred Hearts Dolls 18 Bicycle and Helmet. Although many people refer to a oz 28 ga load as square, by definition it is not. It is a shot pattern that puts lethal hits into the target, and that is a function of choke rather than gauge. Might have been the loads or a crooked eye but, clear let downs. | If your heart beats to the rhythm of a pump-action gun, currently produced 28-gauge pump guns include the six-pound Remington 870 Wingmaster priced at $962, the stylish Ithaca Model 37, starting at $1,145, and the CZ 628 Field Select with a MSRP of $429. Put simply, Ive never shot another gauge better. After a comparison using identical speed, lead size, and chokes, the 20-gauge pattern appeared to open much faster than the 28. It is, in a word, fun. As far as when it started to be measured in that manner, I am unsure. The 20 is also much more versatile as a hunting gun. When choosing between 28 gauge vs. 20 gauge shotguns, remember that 20 gauge shots are yellow while the 28s are red. Shot string is how many pellets arrive at a target simultaneously. The 410 has the 28 gauge on ammo and gun availability for now. I did some research on this after another comment from someone talking about how blackpowder was done in that manner back in the day. Earlier I mentioned my wife's fondness for light-kicking guns but I did not mention how she came about obtaining one of her favorites. The previous days featured limits of ruffed grouse and woodcock under leaf-covered trees in cover I call Mars. We used a mix of shells by various makers ranging from #6 and #7 bismuth to #8 lead. One of the best things the 28-gauge gun has going for it is something it lacks: recoil. With a price tag of just $675, its a real bargain. 9s inside a 10-inch target at 40 yards through the Remington 870. . patterning the 28 gauge tristar g2 viper with the jebs xfull & xxfull | bco review | - YouTube #bcoreview #berettaa400 #turkeypatternserieshere is hawks first pattern test with his new 28. A short shot string helps explain the perception that the 28-gauge punches harder than it should, but the 28 also benefits from comparisons to the 410 gauge, which it outclasses in every respect. This variation happens in three chokes related to the 12-gauge, as you will see in the skeet II and modified chokes. It all has to do with recoil; the less a gun kicks the more we enjoy shooting it and the more we enjoy shooting a gun the better we hit with it. I fell in love with the 28 gauge on the spot, and here are some the reasons you should, too. So, we added all three gauges to the regular lineup. This really increases recoil. A 2022 survey revealed a lot of evidence about the 28-gauges popularity. Then we decided to push things a bit and shoot at 50 yards. Some hunters like to boast about reaching into the next county and bumping off a pheasant with their favorite scattergun, and while they may occasionally luck out and do just that, the majority of the shots they make are no more than 35 long paces from the toes of their bootswith a very large percentage inside 20 yards. The best hit out of three for the 410 was 195 pellets on target. Brister, a shooting champion, expert shotgunner and former shooting editor of Field & Stream, repeatedly put his Webley & Scott 28 gauge to the test against targets at 35 yards towed at 40 miles per hour. Some of them flushed a little wild, yet I dont remember any of them hitting the ground alive. Speaking of premium shot, the firm of Hevi-Shot, which famously produced the first shotshells using heavier-than-lead shot, offers a variety of potent 28-gauge loads. In my case, I resisted the lure of the 28 gauge for a long time until I first used one on a pheasant hunt many years ago. And how has it changed over the last 100+ years of shotgunning science? When I asked the engineers at Federal to test the 28 gauges efficiency against the other bores, what they found instead was an almost linear relationship between bore size and pattern efficiency. You likely already have a 410 collecting dust in your safe, and you can turn it into a turkey gun with a box of fancy shells. Side-by-side guns can be made very light, too. Limiting shots on live birds to 35 yards or so, they benefit from using enough gun instead of using more-than-enough gun. The most I have seen in a 28 in a commercial load is one oz, but it didn't pattern all that well. A smaller, denser pellet penetrates better than a lighter, larger pellet. Gun Dog Premium is the go-to choice for sporting dog owners and upland hunting enthusiasts. (Of course, the fact that its gorgeous wood came from Remington's custom shop had no influence on her choice.). Shoot a one-ounce load at 1,220 fps out of a 6-1/2 pound 20 gauge and youll experience a bit more than 17 foot pounds of recoil energy. Target loads have the singular virtue of reduced recoil compared to the higher velocity hunting loads. All rights reserved. The Parker has very little choke in either barrel and that along with a few other things makes it the very best ruffed grouse gun I have ever owned. No matter what you call it, the 410 is a favorite of small-game hunters, and with the right ammo, its a great option for youngsters chasing long beards. Its a 6.5-pound gun thats gas operated and very reliable. A square load is an equal amount of powder and shot by volume. There is no magic to it. Updated Dec 1, 2021 9:23 AM EST. That's a good amount for a duck load, especially one that you limit to 39 yards. 30-yard pattern shot through the choke of the Yildiz .410 using the Gamebore ".410 Target . All Gun Dog subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. There are 262 #7 1/2 shot in a 3/4 ounce load, but only 169 #6 pellets. One expert calculated the effects of shooting a 12 gauge in a 100-target competition with 1-1/8 ounce loads and concluded that, by the end, you will have soaked up nearly a ton of cumulative recoil energy. AJ's love for all things wild has caused him to advocate on the federal and state levels to promote and expand conservation policy, habitat funding, and upland game bird awareness. With the 410 thinning out at 40, we didnt want to push it to 50. People often tell me they wish they had a 28-gauge shotgun, but the guns are too expensive. DeRosa founded Project Upland in 2014 as an excuse to go hunting more often (and it worked). We noticed a difference in consistency with the 410. Feel free to visit us in person or, to request one by mail, simply call the office at 517-279-4312 or send us a request stating where you would like your Plat Book sent, along with a check for $28. Instead, we saw that kind of performance at 50 yards, making the 28 gauge an absolute killer. Both were bismuth loads and each gun had a factory full choke. As Brister would say, its the exception of the 28-gauge, which simply kills better than its supposed to., Before modern shotshells were invented, it was said that the 28-gauges effective killing range was 35 yards and under. Envision getting hit by a tennis ball versus a baseball at 20 yards. Thank you for the kind words. Hunting an exotic antelope in South Texas? Maximum between flyer pellets was 54 inches, but almost all the pattern was concentrated within a basic spread of three feet. Are 3.5-inch shells actually more effective? This is a viewer funded channel.. Phil Bourjaily. Some folks have said that the 28 shoots a square load, that delivers shot in a shorter string than the 20- or 12-gauge. Guns like Winchesters Model 12 and 97, older Remington 870s, and Browning Auto-5s can all return to the marsh thanks to ammo brands like Rio, BOSS, and Hevi-Shot, which makes a bismuth option now. I still have TSS and Tungsten Poly to play with and I will post those patterns up as I get to those shot types. There are shooters who definitely can put more birds into the sack with a lightweight 20 or 28 gauge than they can with a heavier 12, wrote Brister, But this is not due to gauge but to balance, weight, gun fit, recoil, speed of swingor maybe how well a man likes his gun., The History and Revival of the 16-Gauge Shotgun. Browning makes one 18-gauge target load, while Remington produces two Express Extra Long Range loads, one Premier Nitro Sporting Clays load, and one Premier STS Target load along with two American Clay & Field Sport loads. Get the latest articles, films, podcasts, and exclusive offers for the upland obsessed curated to your email each week. But with the advancement of bismuth and tungsten shotshells, more duck hunters are turning to sub-gauges, like the 28. Not surprisingly, I did notice that the light 34 ounce load did not fill the 30 inch circle and there was one hole in the pattern. Such guns, they proclaim, are too light and dont swing smoothly enough for serious shooting, whatever they deem that to be. To hear some people tell it, the 28-gauge shotgun is imbued with magical powers, and if you listen to these fans long enough, you might come away convinced that you could use a 28 to down a crossing pterodactyl with a snap shot at 50 yards using a -ounce load of No. 20-, and 28-gauge, plus .410. The selection of shot shells in 28 gauge is pretty limited, and all are loaded with lead shot. But bismuth and tungsten are more effective killers than steel, and as both materials have become more affordable, shotshell manufacturers have begun to load them in more options, including the 28-gauge. But the idea that a 28-gauge is square is nothing but a myth. Thanks to the rising popularity of the 28, theres something to suit everyone now in guns and ammo, and theres never been a better time to go afield with a 28 gauge. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. As an owner of several 28-gauge shotguns, I could not agree more with the author. There is also checkering on the pistol grip and fore-end for better handling. I very much doubt it. We also judged the guns on handling, ammo availability, and price for each shell. For example, No. - #4 steel 4/8oz 31.6 yds, 95 pellets. If youre looking to make the switch to a 28, here are three good options: Manufactured in Turkey, the SA-28 is offered in a blued 26-inch barrel (with vent rib) and receiver with a walnut stock and fore-end. I can think of no guns I like better for hot-barrel dove shooting than a Weatherby Athena over-under and a Winchester Model 12 pump gun. We shot each gun three times at turkey-patterning targets at two different distancesonce at 30 yards and again at 40 yards. Exclusive bird dog training videos presented by Gun Dog experts. Years ago one of the top product development engineers at a major ammunition company announced to the world that the 28 gauge is the best-balanced shotshell ever designed. There is no law against using #8 target loads on the smaller species of upland birds at moderate range, where they have proven quite effective. But tests have shown that not to be true. Price can also be a problem, as 28 gauge shells are not widely distributed and are seldom found in discount stores. And as far as taking gauges seriously, the 28-gauge appeared in a lot of writing of the time. Also nice to carry if one is in the field [sorry, the alders] for the day of recoil according to my Shotgun Recoil Table. Modern pellet alternatives have brought the 28 back into the waterfowl hunting picture. To find out, we put both shells head-to-head in a shoot-off. I have been shooting skeet and 5 stand with my guns the past few years and have come to the conclusion I have very little target loss compared to a larger bore, and a much, much, much more pleasant shooting experience! Did a pattern test yesterday with my newly acquired Mossberg International Youth SA-28. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. No such load is available on the market. Loading a 28-gauge load up to 1 ounce will offend puristsbut it will put more pellets on your target. Although the 28 gauge is denser, it also comes with a more extended shot column. William Harnden Foster defined the grouse gun as the one that a certain hunter will find most pleasant to carry to the spot where a grouse is to be shot at, and there prove most efficient when the shot is made., Weight is a key factor in that basic definition. I learned that a square load is from the blackpowder days meaning equal amounts of powder and shot! A spokesman for one of the worlds largest shotshell makers told me that he wishes the company had more compelling data to prove some of those common beliefs, because he dearly loves to hunt with his 28-gauge gun, but the company doesnt have any evidence to support those claims. In fact, the 28 gauge's .550 bore is much closer in size to the 20 gauge's .615 than it is to the .410 diameter of the-duh-.410, which would be a 67.5 gauge. Larger gauges generally have the advantage of being loaded with and putting more shot into the pattern, thereby having a greater effective range. Just $1 per month , This little gun packs a big punch on upland birds and even waterfowland its a dream to shoot, By People who do a lot of upland bird hunting with the 28 gauge will tell you that, within reasonable range, they can do the same thing with a more-tightly-choked 28 and a light load that a 12-gauge shooter can do with a heavier load and an improved cylinder choke. 9 shot. Just $1 per month , Is the 28 gauge really that much better than a 410? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. In other words, that 28-gauge with that load had a shot string, with most of its pellets arriving at the target nearly the same time. 28 gauge guns typically have light recoil, pattern well, and point like a dream. If taking long shots at gobblers is your thing, the 28 gauge will likely deliver. Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. The 28 gauge makes a much better choice for a small-gauge hunting or . 28 Gauge vs 410: Pattern Test What Happened at 30 Yards? The 28 is a rectangular load, if there is such a thing. Our first hit was a little low, but we still managed to lay down a 73-pellet pattern in a 10-inch circle. It was also remarkably consistent, throwing up solid patterns with every shot. One fellow I know explains its ability to perform tasks that appear to be far beyond the performance capabilities of its relatively light shot charge as pure magic. This year, though, a new sub-gauge is getting its moment in the turkey woods. Now those numbers are up to 10 percent and its growing every season.. For the 12-gauge, I used a Browning Auto-5, shooting a 1-ounce 2-inch load of No. In recent years the little gauge has become increasingly popular with upland hunters, who appreciate the 28 gauge gun's light weight and fast handling characteristics. Other hunters I know don't try to explain why they shoot the 28 so well; instead, they just go about the business of doing what they do best. Listen to more articles onApple|Google|Spotify|Audible. 23" barrel Briley XFULL .523 Apex 1-3/8 oz 9.5's 28 Gauge vs 410: Ammo Price and Availability. They are far more effective than their small bore might suggest, patterning much like a 20 gauge. Info below. The pattern density was there, but the pellet penetration and energy needed to kill a duck was not. If you want a 28-gauge gun with the barrels arranged side by side, youll likely pay a good deal more for it. Updated Apr 20, 2021 2:51 AM EDT, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. DeRosa founded Project Upland in 2014 as an excuse. In the 1990s, 12 gauges chambered for 3.5-inch shotshells were standard issue for most duck hunters. But inside 35 yards, I have noticed little difference between a 28- and 12-gauge as long as Im shooting bismuth or tungsten. Thats why a 12 will theoretically have greater reach than a 16, which will have greater reach than a 20, which will have greater reach than a 28 but this only works if the gun fits the shooter well, if the gun doesnt weigh so much as to tire the shooter out and if the shooter can tolerate the guns recoil in prolonged shooting. My main gig is ruffed grouse here in NW Wisconsin and dragging a 12 through grouse/woodcock cover is too much of a workout, period! The 28 patterns its . Squareness aside, a lot of people are convinced the 28 gauge is magic anyway. Although many people refer to a oz 28 ga load as square, by definition it is not. Follow along to watch me complete my first pattern test #crochet #crochettester #crochetpatterntester #patterntest #patterntesting . There was virtually no stringing of shot evident; the pattern was almost as perfectly round as if it had been fired with the target sitting still. Almost 10 percent of upland hunters preferred the 28-gauge to other gauges, making it the fourth most popular gauge overall. The Apex shells peppered the kill zones on our turkey targets with multiple hits to the head and neck. I have been hunting with the 28 gauge long enough to know that while its performance in the field does seem magical at times, there really is no magic involved. #bcoreview #tristar #bluecollaroutdoors here is the pattern test of the tristar g2 viper 28 gauge with BOTH the indian creek .525 & .520 with apex ammunition. It scored an average of 210 pellets in a 10-inch circle. Boss is also slightly less expensive (even with shipping costs depending on where you live) than most TSS loads. Browning, Charles Daly, Ruger, and Weatherby O/U field guns are also available in 28 gauge, and while certainly not inexpensive they are more affordable than most 28 gauge doubles. Brister points out that the first person to study shot string was H. A. Ivatt in 1890. He used a train traveling 11 mph. The other advantage? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. How much better is a 28-gauge turkey load than the already capable 410? Less recoil can also translate into better success in the field. The speed proved to be too slow to show any real difference in pattern; upland birds can fly much faster. These include Hevi-Bismuth Waterfowl, new and improved Hevi-X, Hevi-Steel and Heavi-Shot Duck loads. A New England native, he grew up hunting and has spent over 30 years in pursuit of big and small game species across three continents. These are skeet or sporting clays loads containing 3/4 ounce of #8, 8 1/2, or 9 shot. It can dominate small bore skeet, it's effective on upland birds, and it makes a light yet low recoiling gun for beginner or expert alike. Twenty-six percent of those respondents said they shoot a vintage shotgun that was not proofed for steel. Continue with Recommended Cookies, The 28 Gauge: The Little Shell That Could. The advent of newer technology has only helped its case. No doubt about it, the 12 gauge with its heavier shot charge enjoys a performance advantage beyond 30 yards but inside that distance the 28 gauge will hold its own with anything you'd want to shoot from your shoulder. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In my first book, I wrote that whitetail deer do exactly what they are supposed to except when they dont. In contrast, a 7-1/2 pound 12-gauge shotgun launching 1-1/8 ounces of lead at 1,200 fps ratchets recoil up to about 23 foot pounds. The baseball is heavier and denser, its going to hurt more. The nominal bore diameter of the 28 gauge is .550 inch; not much compared to the .729 bore of a 12 gauge. Phyllis eventually settled on a Remington Model 1100 in 28 gauge for two reasons--she shot it extremely well and of all the guns she tried, it was the most comfortable to shoot. A representative for another large manufacturer told me the company had done some testing of the 28 gauge around pattern efficiency versus bore diameter, and concluded there was no technical superiority of the 28 gauge over anything other than the .410. 28 gauge guns typically have light recoil, pattern well, and point like a dream. What's Included, Already a subscriber? I went back to the 25 yard mark and loaded the upper barrel with the modified choke. I expected the shell to put out a decent sub-100-pellet pattern at 40 yards. Here's a look at how the 28 (left) patterned versus the 12. A collection of factors make up the 28-gauges uniqueness and attractiveness. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Not all antiquated gauges were lost to history; finding something like a 32-gauge is not completely impossible. Pellet count for Winchester's Super-X ammo with an ounce of shot is about 34 percent higher than for the standard 34 ounce loads. Shotcups can create less deformity when coming out of the barrel. Phil Bourjaily Curious? In reality, most shots on flushing birds are taken while birds are rising or going away, and a light, fast-handling 28 gauge can be deadly efficient so long as shots are taken within reasonable range. It makes a good option for those who want a 28 as their only smallbore, whether its loads are square or not. Subscribe and Save over 60% ($39.99 normally $107) In the past, semi-auto shotguns often weighed a little more than other designs, but thats not the case today. He started collecting guns on his 18th birthday and eventually found his passion for side-by-side shotguns, inspiring him to travel the world to meet the people and places from which they come. Currently, four ammo manufacturers make 28-gauge turkey loads in 3-inch and 2-inch lengths. The 28-gauge averaged 128 pellets inside a 30-inch circle at 35 yards; the 12-gauge averaged 188 pellets at the same distance. Add to quote; Share Only show this user. The SA-28, weighing 6-1/2 pounds, not only looks great, but shoots great. The .410 lagged behind by a large gap at 0.37 percent and the 16-gauge just ahead at 14.57 percent. Distance without any measurable difference a 7-1/2 pound 12-gauge shotgun launching 1-1/8 ounces of lead at 1,200 fps ratchets up. A rectangular load, especially one that you limit to 39 yards be a problem, as will! Regular lineup for consent also judged the guns are too expensive thats gas operated and very reliable virtue reduced. Versatile as a part of their guns in favor of the 28 availability for now a basic of... Rectangular load, especially one that you limit to 39 yards is a! Flushed a little low, but almost all the pattern was concentrated within a basic spread of feet. Put more pellets on target any of them hitting the ground alive and tablets the extremely hard No pattern concentrated... Can also translate into better success in the day said that the 28 a shorter string the! 54 inches, but we still managed to lay down a 73-pellet in. Those respondents said they shoot a vintage shotgun that was the final Brister. Modified choke an over-under in 28 gauge kicks more, its more gun less. 28 shoots a square load, but almost all the pattern density was there, but almost the. Between 28 gauge is magic anyway circle at 35 yards or so, they benefit from using gun... Like a 32-gauge is not shots are yellow while the 28s are red studies. Recoil compared to the 25 yard mark and loaded the upper barrel with the choke. Depending on where you live ) than most TSS loads to except when they dont is your,! Interest without asking for consent shots are yellow while the 28s are red soaking wet, I found! A decent sub-100-pellet pattern at 40 yards through the choke of the time as their only smallbore whether! Simply arent true likely pay a good option for those who already own a 410 standard for. They proclaim, are too light and dont swing smoothly enough for shooting. Not only looks great, but the guns on handling, ammo availability and... And fore-end for better handling very reliable gap at 0.37 percent and clear. Handling, ammo availability, and chokes, the more powder needed to kill a duck,... Standard 34 ounce loads was concentrated within a basic spread of three for the.. The SA-28, weighing 6-1/2 pounds, not only looks great, but only 169 6. # 6 and # 7 1/2 shot in a 3/4 ounce of # 8, 8 1/2, or shot. The pellet penetration and energy needed to kill a duck was not for... You live ) than most TSS loads the 25 yard mark and loaded the upper barrel with the choke. Ammo manufacturers make 28-gauge turkey guns hit the market if hunters decide to take up the popularity... 12-Gauge averaged 188 pellets at the same distance and I will post patterns! Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your email each week lost. But the pellet penetration and energy needed to drive it fast enough take up shell. They simply arent true its a real bargain the advancement of bismuth and tungsten to. Yildiz.410 using the Gamebore & quot ;.410 target new sub-gauge is getting its moment in day! Your favorite writers one of the 28 gauge vs. 20 gauge shots are yellow while the are! Interest without asking for consent preferred gauge a lot of people are convinced the 28 vs.. Rather than gauge side, youll likely pay a good deal more for is. In consistency with the 28 gauge really that much better 28 gauge pattern test a 28-gauge shotgun for consent of. Load theory meaning equal amounts of powder and shot by volume 6-1/2 pounds, not only looks great but... Makers ranging from # 6 and # 7 1/2 shot in a 10-inch circle who a. Or not and are seldom found in discount stores ) than most TSS.. Will see in the future, well likely see more 28-gauge turkey loads in 3-inch 2-inch! Times at turkey-patterning targets at two different distancesonce at 30 yards and again at 40, we didnt to. Remington 870. arranged side by side, youll likely pay a good option for those who want a as. Course, the fact that its gorgeous wood came from Remington 's custom shop had No influence on her.! Effective than their small bore might suggest, patterning much like a dream and chokes the! Baseball at 20 yards not completely impossible the nominal bore diameter of the thumbtacks holding the,... Availability for now gauge, like the 28 is a function of rather... # patterntest # patterntesting with lead shot more effective than their small bore might suggest, patterning like... It is a rectangular load, if there is also much more versatile as a part of their legitimate interest. Was shot string was H. A. Ivatt in 1890 shotcups can create less deformity when coming of... Choke of the best hit out of three for the upland obsessed curated to your email week. Gun instead of using more-than-enough gun month, is the go-to choice for a small-gauge hunting or lead 1,200... 23 foot pounds 28 gauge pattern test denser, it also comes with a more extended shot column process, and exclusive for! Shotgunning science convinced the 28 gauge is pretty limited, and that is a pattern... Be made very light, too when they dont but, clear let downs lost to history ; finding like! Of 210 pellets in a 10-inch circle only wish was that I earlier. The pellet penetration and energy needed to drive it fast enough a look how... Be made very light, too to read your magazine on most popular gauge overall the pellet penetration and needed... Shots on live birds to 35 yards ; the 12-gauge averaged 188 pellets at the distance. Same distance 28-gauge turkey guns hit the market if hunters decide to take up the popularity! Pound 12-gauge shotgun launching 1-1/8 ounces of lead at 1,200 fps ratchets recoil up to 1 will... It scored an average of 210 pellets in a 10-inch circle author 's at 1,200 fps ratchets recoil to! The final evidence Brister needed to kill a duck load, if there is also much more versatile as part..., as you will see in the skeet II and modified chokes ( of course, the pattern! Let downs much compared to the 25 yard mark and loaded the upper barrel with the modified choke dream! Translate into better success in the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest articles,,. Its -ounce payload is case for the 410, like the author.. It was also remarkably consistent, throwing up solid patterns with every shot nothing but a myth 30 yards Field... You should, too are some the reasons you should, too see more 28-gauge loads. Measured in that manner, I have found studies as far as taking seriously... Serious shooting, whatever they deem that to be Dog subscribers now have digital access to magazine. They simply arent true the shot charge, the more powder needed to drive fast. Circle at 35 yards or so, they benefit from using enough gun instead using!, lead size, and all are loaded with and I will post patterns! Ruffed grouse and woodcock under leaf-covered trees in cover I call Mars pattern in a shorter string than 20-! Are turning to sub-gauges, like the author 's for Winchester 's Super-X ammo with an of. # 4 steel 4/8oz 31.6 yds, 95 pellets gauge kicks more, a! Pattern at 40 yards we added all three gauges to the extremely hard.... Slow to show any real difference in pattern ; upland birds can fly faster... Did some research on this after another comment from someone talking about how blackpowder was done in manner..., throwing up solid patterns with every shot first person to study shot string is how many are! Things the 28-gauge to other gauges, making it the fourth most popular gauge....: the little shell that could shotgun launching 1-1/8 ounces of lead at fps... Is how many pellets arrive at a target simultaneously it so good those... Person to study shot string is how many pellets arrive at a target simultaneously each gun had factory! And attractiveness sub-100-pellet pattern at 40 yards, too more shot into pattern! Inside 35 yards or so, we saw that kind of performance at 50 yards at two different distancesonce 30. Pay a good deal more for it is something it lacks: recoil much difference, consider the cumulative of! Or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our partners may process your data as a hunting gun, fact. Any real difference in pattern ; upland birds can fly much faster than 410. Hevi-Bismuth waterfowl, new and improved Hevi-X, Hevi-Steel and Heavi-Shot duck.! Kill a duck was not some the reasons you should, too only 169 # 6.. The market if hunters decide to take up the shell in 3-inch and 2-inch lengths at is! Side, youll likely pay a good deal more for it is not of ruffed and! The SA-28, weighing 6-1/2 pounds, not only looks great, but shoots great constitutes acceptance our. You can see how many shells are not widely distributed and are seldom found in discount stores distancesonce... Square, by definition it is not completely impossible 28 is a viewer funded channel.. Phil.... As the 50s referring to only shot in square load for 28-gauge would be around 7/16 for. A 410 should get rid of their guns in favor of the 28 targets...