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Loading the Delightful 28 gauge - 3/4 oz. Magic

Talyn

Talyn

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Founding Member
Since the 28 gauge is well down the shotshell pecking order (below even the .410 but edging the 16) when shortages occur it will be among the last anyone rushes to produce. Shortages of low-demand shotshells like the 28 will be deeper and longer than high-demand 12-gauge trap loads or 3-inch 20s.

The 28 gauge has had a mixed history since its development in England in the 1800s, but for the past 30 years, the word “renaissance” has been applied more than any other. The 28 is enjoying a period of popularity never seen before; the darling of a class of hunters who proclaim it more “sporting,” as opposed to savages who insist on shooting a “meat gun” like the 12 gauge.

For about 50 years of its life – 1925 to 1975 – it was kept alive and largely confined to its own class of Skeet. Since then, it’s gradually gained fans as a hunting load, especially for quail and doves.

Loading the (Delightful) 28 Gauge | Handloader Magazine

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I never understood why the .410 was “the” entry shotgun for new shooters and the 28 was basically ignored. I learned on a .410 but a 2.0 would have made it a lot easier , but. In 1960 28’s were like unicorns-and ammo for them w as ever more rare.
 
When I was 9 I used a single shot 20 gauge for my first season. By the second I had a 311A in 12 gauge. The first rifle I ever shot was the 94 in 30-30 my dad bought me when I was 10 or 11. I don't think there was ever a .22 or a .410 in the house.
 
The 28 is mathematically "perfect" according to the British, and I defer to them about all things shotgun. Something about the width and length of the shot column being ideal for patterns. I don't know about that, but I know the 28 drops birds all out of proportion to its size, so I am believing them to be correct.
 
I have shot birds and skeet, trap, and sporting clays for more than 60 years. Shooting all 4 gauges in skeet tournaments, 28 gauge became my favorite, and it is the only gauge I reload any more. For medical reasons I no longer shoot heavy recoiling rifles and shotguns so I now shoot 28 ga exclusively for skeet. It is smoking the targets just like a 12 ga. I have about 3000 loaded and about 1000 AA hulls awaiting their turn on the Spolar. I use #9 shot and Unique powder, but have been told Unique may not be available in the future. Don't know what I'll do when the Unique runs out..
 
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Starting during the C19 scamdemic, 410 shells became completely unobtainium, However, 28 ga. shells were still on the shelf in most places. I lucked out and found some 410 shell online and immediately ordered a case. I needed the 410's for my "snake guns" (literal snake guns, not Colt DA revolvers).

The upside of the 410 is the many handy "snake gun" configurations available: single shots, the Taurus Judge and S&W Governor, not to mention the little bantam weight pump guns. I don't see much in the way of similar configurations chambered in 28 gauge. I'd have bought a couple if in 28 ga if I could've found such during the Great 410 Drought.

These days, I'm seeing better availability of 410 ammo, but not an overabundance.
 
Hayes is spot on. The 28 patterns are real killers on birds. The 12 and 20 are the popularity kings, so I like many others use the 20 because of cost when the 28 would be a much better choice. Reloading the 28 is worth it. Dare I say it? If I could only have one shotgun, with 60 in the rearview mirror, my Browning 28 gauge would get the nod. Would it be cheating selecting that one because it is a three barrel set? 20, 28 and .410. I hope the day never comes that we are only allowed shotguns (looking at you England) but that is the steps towards eliminating all guns in the hands of citizens. Vote in the midterms folks.
 
Last year or the year before, lgs had a very nicely done Turkish SxS in 28 ga.
Well so I had to have it.
This isn't bird or shotgun country were I live.
Can't get buddies interested in shooting clays.
Nephew is to cheap to buy targets or more than 1 box of shells.
But it is a nice little shotgun.
 
Talyn said:
Since the 28 gauge is well down the shotshell pecking order (below even the .410 but edging the 16) when shortages occur it will be among the last anyone rushes to produce. Shortages of low-demand shotshells like the 28 will be deeper and longer than high-demand 12-gauge trap loads or 3-inch 20s.

The 28 gauge has had a mixed history since its development in England in the 1800s, but for the past 30 years, the word “renaissance” has been applied more than any other. The 28 is enjoying a period of popularity never seen before; the darling of a class of hunters who proclaim it more “sporting,” as opposed to savages who insist on shooting a “meat gun” like the 12 gauge.

For about 50 years of its life – 1925 to 1975 – it was kept alive and largely confined to its own class of Skeet. Since then, it’s gradually gained fans as a hunting load, especially for quail and doves.

Loading the (Delightful) 28 Gauge | Handloader Magazine

www.handloadermagazine.com www.handloadermagazine.com

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Yeah, the 28 is a nifty shell. I've always liked the 12ga and 20ga shell with a reduced weight shot load. That, coupled with a somewhat lower powder charge, makes for a much more pleasant recoil experience when going through several hundred rounds. I've never owned a 28 ga (nor a 16 ga either for that matter), but it seems to me that a 3/4oz shot load would be a joy to shoot, ideal for extended range sessions involving shooting multiple boxes of shells.
 
A fine shotgun, side by side or under and over (as the British say) is a joy to behold and shoot. I will never own a sculpture or other fine art, with the exception of shotguns.

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