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Forums10
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Apr 27th, 2024
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 390 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 390 Likes: 8 |
Between 70s and 90s when grouse flushes were anywhere from 15 to 50, bird days, I used an AYA xxvbl, 12 gauge with 1 1/8 oz of 8s or 7 1/2 target loads for all my upload hunting.
In early 90s, I picked up a 28 gauge for grouse/woodcock, and enjoyed everything about the round. If I did my part, the birds hit the ground stone dead.
Now early woodcock hunting I tend to reach for a 410, over dogs. Its very satisfying taking woodcock with a little pipsqueak sxs.
I have seen a complete turn around where most of the grouse hunters I hunt with who use to carry a 12 sxs are now touting 20s or 28 gauge sxs. A couple gentlemen carry a Ruger Red Label in 28 gauge. Which is a nice scaled to size 28 gauge.
It is interesting to me how trends in hunting have changed in respect to down gauge in upland hunting and the renewed interest in the 16 gauge as well.
Ps: Only 13 days till Dove season. But whos counting?
Rich
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97 |
yeah, same with barrel length...back in the seventies, short 25-26" barrels were all the rage...now, 28" is preferred by many bird hunters...
28, you must be a hellava shot to make clean kills on grouse, with only 3/4 oz. of shot...how are your 28 and 410 choked?
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 390 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 390 Likes: 8 |
Ed,
I normally shot ic and mod in the 28 early season, then change out barrels with Improved modified and full. The 410 is choked m/f both are AYAs. The 410 is a #2 and the 28 is a #1, with two sets of barrels.
Thing is with that little 28, if your on the bird that little 28 smokes them dead every time. Heck a blind squirrel finds nuts. And trust me I have missed my share of birds. A lot of birds!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97 |
This is not the first time we have heard the singing of praises and accolades for the 28 bore gun. It has now reached magic wand status among many shooters...
Over a 100 years ago, Englishmen, after some experimentation and contemplation, determined the ideal shooting combination to be a 12 bore gun with the barrels jointed together side by side and throwing an ounce of shot. And of course, those across the channel determined otherwise; settling on the 16 bore as the ideal...Meantime, here in the former colonies, the big 10 bore gun was all the rage...
A lot has changed since then. Ammo, perhaps the most. The guns are pretty much the same idea, except now we have the barrels joined one on top of the other, with origins in some perverse Belgian inspired illusion to soft pornagraphy. We are pretty much the same, except there are more of us now. The birds are the same, except there are less of them now...Which is probably because there are more of us...
But what else? Why is the 28 gauge gun suddenly so far superior now, than say, 30 years ago?
Last edited by ed good; 08/17/20 09:50 AM.
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 334
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 334 |
The 28 ga. is good for relief from boredom and snob appeal, and nothing more, or maybe some misplaced notion of doing more with less. In the latter case, just go to a .410 and be legit. You do get to say to the shoe clerk, when he asks, "no, it's a 28 gauge".
The 20 ga. is, for all intents and purposes, a better choice for a small gauge gun. Not enough difference in frame size to matter, and ammo is outrageously more. No help with recoil either, with 3/4 oz. 20 ga. loads availability.
JR
Last edited by John Roberts; 08/17/20 01:12 PM.
Be strong, be of good courage.
God bless America, long live the Republic.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
Recoil reduction for older shooters who may have become recoil sensitive. A 28ga will kill, a .410 might kill if you're a good enough shot. A 20ga will kill better but will also recoil a lot more...Geo
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97 |
dare i say, i have been recently shooting skeet with a beretta a400 20 ga with the kick off recoil reducing system...the lack of felt recoil is amazing...thinking about having the kick off system installed in the butt stock of my favorite 16 ga fox gun... https://www.beretta.com/en/videos/semiautomatic-beretta-gun---a400-xplor---kick-off-/
Last edited by ed good; 08/17/20 05:20 PM.
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 216
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 216 |
I have 2 28's, a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon and a Martin Ugarteburu sxs. Both guns are just plain fun to shoot. I have hunted doves often with my 686 and had a lot of success with it. Like I said, it's just plain fun to shoot!!
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 334
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 334 |
Recoil reduction for older shooters who may have become recoil sensitive. A 28ga will kill, a .410 might kill if you're a good enough shot. A 20ga will kill better but will also recoil a lot more...Geo Try to keep up, George: https://www.outdoorlimited.com/shotgun-a...ase-250-rounds/JR
Be strong, be of good courage.
God bless America, long live the Republic.
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