28ga

Just turned 20 this year and decided I was going to put the 28 gauge to the test this year as I get out more than the typical guy( in college, living at home), shooting Fiocchi golden pheasant 2 3/4 #5 out of the Stevens 555 E. I have shot 50+ roosters with this gun out to 35 yards and have had zero issues. Do not think I will ever touch another gauge after this season.
I don't believe you, that sounds like BS.
 
College kid, lives at home…has the time to hunt a lot, may live within an hour of decent/good spots; knows ammo specs, and gun info; if he gets 2-3 per outing, he’s been out 20 times, +/-…I doubt he’s making stuff up to impress a bunch of old guys he doesn’t know. I’m glad he’s here and chiming in! We need new, young blood in the sport, and this forum! 🏆 He’s from Iowa, further corroborates his claims…👍
 
I witnessed 28 gauge black magic today. They were dead on arrival or it was a clean miss with both barrels. I cant remember the last time I shot a quick linit with the 12 that I wasn't rolling necks. 28 is... idk i dont chase em when ive got that gun in my hands.
Don’t tell Bob that. That pea shooter only wounds birds. 😂😳
 
I witnessed 28 gauge black magic today. They were dead on arrival or it was a clean miss with both barrels. I cant remember the last time I shot a quick linit with the 12 that I wasn't rolling necks. 28 is... idk i dont chase em when ive got that gun in my hands.
I wanna see the video.
 
Just turned 20 this year and decided I was going to put the 28 gauge to the test this year as I get out more than the typical guy( in college, living at home), shooting Fiocchi golden pheasant 2 3/4 #5 out of the Stevens 555 E. I have shot 50+ roosters with this gun out to 35 yards and have had zero issues. Do not think I will ever touch another gauge after this season.
This is more typical from what I read and hear…qualifying distances out to 35 yards, for example…I’m probably guilty of selective hearing and/or reading…in most sports that involve a stick, a bat, a racquet, a club, etc, it seems that they’ve all evolved into lighter vs heavier…svelte vs bulky…and that stuff translates into better performance in lots of cases…I know 6 lbs feels profoundly different than 7 lbs…5 1/2 or 5 3/4 are pretty common weights of many sub-gauges…don’t know the time differential of getting on a bird, and how that translates to distance that that bird is being shot at…but there may be something to the physics of what’s being discussed…more to follow, good luck on your next hunt!
 
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This is more typical from what I read and hear…qualifying distances out to 35 yards, for example…I’m probably guilty of selective hearing and/or reading…in most sports that involve a stick, a bat, a racquet, a club, etc, it seems that they’ve all evolved into lighter vs heavier…svelte vs bulky…and that stuff translates into better performance in lots of cases…I know 6 lbs feels profoundly different than 7 lbs…5 1/2 or 5 3/4 are pretty common weights of many sub-gauges…don’t know the time differential of getting on a bird, and how that translates to distance that that bird is being shot at…but there may be something to the physics of what’s being discussed…more to follow, good luck on your next hunt!
I really like the weight of this little Beretta, and it fits me well and feels good, I just don't think it's big enough for pheasant. I have to call b******* on some of this stuff I've been reading about 28 gauge.
 
I really like the weight of this little Beretta, and it fits me well and feels good, I just don't think it's big enough for pheasant. I have to call b******* on some of this stuff I've been reading about 28 gauge.
For sake of discussion Goose, do you agree that the standard 2 3/4” 20 gauge load of 1 oz of number 5 or 6 shot at 1200-1350 FPS is a good pheasant round?
 
I really like the weight of this little Beretta, and it fits me well and feels good, I just don't think it's big enough for pheasant. I have to call b******* on some of this stuff I've been reading about 28 gauge.
You call bullshit on much that’s outside of your personal experience…shooting skill, bird recovery, gauges that you may not have much experience with, etc. I believe the vast majority of the anecdotes shared here…I could be foolish, but judging by the sources, it seems credible. Yes, hard to believe someone hasn’t lost a bird in years, but if someone is VERY judicious about shot selection, I can see how a guy can shoot 85%+ and recover virtually all their birds, including with a 28 gauge. Where things start to fall apart regarding shot success, bird recovery, etc is when shots are 35-50 yards…being a great hunter, getting closer shots, makes a hunter a better shot and bird recoverer. Not saying I’m in that camp!
 
I really like the weight of this little Beretta, and it fits me well and feels good, I just don't think it's big enough for pheasant. I have to call b******* on some of this stuff I've been reading about 28 gauge.
I’m humored by the reaction by some of my buddies when hunting sharpies and Huns when I’m using a 28…they don’t understand that I’m throwing the same # of pellets at the same velocity as 20 gauges…and I pattern my 28’s and 20’s…I know what those look like with the ammo I’m shooting. I’m making a distinction between my buddies (most of them) and the users here…I’ll give the typical user here more credit for gun/load knowledge, but there’s still some perceptions that I don’t agree with. As I’ve said before, I’m not suggesting the 28 for an all-around pheasant gun, including 35+ yard shots, but over light cover, and a crossing shot, I’d take 30-40 yard shots until my experience suggests it’s not lethal. Goose, you lost 15 birds last season, it’s not like you’re being fined $1,000 if you lose a bird…take the 28 out for a stroll and keep your shots on the closer side. Or, at a minimum, pattern it…see what you think.
 
I think the advantage 12’s, 16’s, and some 20’s have over the 28 is extra weight, which can result in better shooting…a super light gun can be whippy, and hard to shoot effectively…I also feel lighter guns have their merits after trudging around in heavy cover for miles and miles, and may allow for quicker mounts, and shots at closer ranges…better use of time and energy is to go hunting, and experiment with some of these ideas in the field, and see what your own results are…
 
I think the advantage 12’s, 16’s, and some 20’s have over the 28 is extra weight, which can result in better shooting…a super light gun can be whippy, and hard to shoot effectively…I also feel lighter guns have their merits after trudging around in heavy cover for miles and miles, and may allow for quicker mounts, and shots at closer ranges…better use of time and energy is to go hunting, and experiment with some of these ideas in the field, and see what your own results are…
I've been 12,15,and 20
 
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