Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game The 28 gauge?

Dirt farmer, I've never had a Merkel but am quite sure I'd really like it. 😀

Well, it is what it is...

I like this one, a Merkel that handles great. Light, but not too light, just right.

Is there any real issue knocking things down with the 28? I'm speaking strictly upland and dove. Sharps and pheasant mostly.

I kinda find it hard to believe there is any reason to go 28 vs the 20 gauge. But a Benelli Ultra Light is kinda tempting.



Travis

George,

I've owned a bunch of 28's, and I don't care about how balanced they look. Instead I care about how balanced they feel.

But the Fausti looks pretty good. You might ask luv2safari about it.....

I don't think I could ever consider an upland gun "too light" but I am also thinking the 28 doesn't bring enough to the table to justify bothering with a 28.

But if I'm wrong in this thinking I may try a 28.



Travis

Travis,

I've used the 28 quite a bit over the last 15 years or so, and it works fine for 90% of bird hunting. Have never had any problem killing sharptails and wild roosters out to 40 yards with the right choke and load, and have killed big sage grouse out to 47.

Yes, the 20 will do anything the 28 will ballistically, but the problem with most American 20's is they're too big and clunky, because they're chambered for 3" magnums. As a result they're not much different than 12's used to be before the 3" 20-gauge became the In Thing, usually weighing around 7 pounds.

Have owned and hunted with several 28's, but the only one that stuck (and the shotgun I use for most early-season upland hunting) is my 5 pound 2 ounce Fausti side-by-side. It can be carried easily all day even by old farts like me, and kills stuff fine.

I did an article on why the 28 works so well a few years ago for HANDLOADER, which looked at all the myths and misconceptions. Factory loads will do it all, but handloading is easy and makes the 28 even more versatile.

I suggest you absolutely buy the Benelli and then let me know how you like it!

I think it depends on shooting style but I'd rather carry a 6 pound 20 gauge than the ultralight in Montana. A little extra weight for more shootablilty is worth it form me.

My dad is small with shoulder issues and weight can be an issue for him. He always said his 20 gauge ultralight was his last shotgun. He bought a 20 gauge super sport for clays and now it's all he shoots for prairie birds. He shoots it significantly better in the open out your way.

If your strictly a snap shooter the light gun might be better.

Get the 28 and buy a case of Fiocchi, Golden Pheasants 7/8 oz of 6's and call it "good." There is an old medical phrase that goes, "'better' is the enemy of good."

You'll thank me later. Or not.

6's?

NEVAH.




Dave

Travis,

Before I left eastern Washington for Alaska I hunted a Beretta 686 O/U 28 gauge. It was the nicest upland gun I ever used and one I deeply regret selling.

I shot over a close working Brittany and took pheasants, quail, huns, chukars, doves, three species of grouse, and the occasional jump shot duck with the Beretta. The gun only weighed 5 pounds 12 ounces, making it a sweet carrying shotgun.

I shot mostly handloads, 3/4 or 7/8 ounce, and never felt I lacked power for any of the birds listed.

While it is not entirely necessary to own a 28 gauge to maintain your standing within our group of the shooting fratenity's "most interesting men in the world," it certainly helps to reinforce that position. Men outside of our group will speak in hushed and reverent tones when they watch you step out of the field with three pheasants, a 28 gauge and only 2 empty hulls.