Goose, are you sure you're shooting lead 4s? I couldn't even find any online in 28 gauge? Let's assume you know what you're talking about (not a giant leap at all), & you are, in fact, shooting lead 4s. I'd guess they're at most 1 oz loads, possibly as light as 3/4 oz. That'd mean you've got at most 136 pellets, possibly as few as 102. That's not enough (& borders on just playing grabass with the pheasants), unless your pattern's pretty tight & you're, as you say, a maestro with a shotgun. I've spent quite a few years experimenting with light-ish loads & various shot sizes & materials. And I'm not a terrible shot. My conclusion is that I want a bare minimum of 150 pellets in the air, & if that's all I have, I use full choke. I know how you hate spending more than $12/box for shells, but do yourself a favor (& your dogs & your sweet little 28 gauge) & spend the money on some shells that are at least 1 oz, possibly even slightly heavier, even if they turn out to be 3" (assuming your gun handles 3"). And shoot 5s. 1 oz of 5s would be 173 pellets. That'll take you easily to 50 yds. If you feel you can limit most of your shots to 40 yds, then shoot 6s @ 224 pellets/oz. I think you, River, & Mr. Jones will be much happier with that tiny little 28 gauge & will start feeling like it's worth more than a pile of mud dumped out in some unsuspecting farmer's shelterbelt. Food for thought.
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