[Frank Lopez]

I'm looking at getting a 28g double.( sxs.. :roll: ..o/u) I'm looking at something like a stoeger or fausti or something .
anyhow..I've noticed most have fixed chokes of c/m. and thinking if I'm hunting pheasant,I'd like more choke for such a small gauge.any experience? I use m/f on my 20g and like the way it "hits hard".most shots will be over a dog,and I personally like #5 shot but #6 is ok too.problably better if only small load.
..and do any reload manuals have info for a full 1oz load?
thanks Ed :wink:

Ed,

There are a number of things you need to address here, the first being the range at which you'll be taking your birds. The 28ga is a great gun and they generally pattern beautifully, but because of their inherently small payload, their range is best limited to 35 yards, 30 would be better. Another thing about the 28 is that they generally do not like loads over 3/4 oz. This is especially true of the entry level guns you mention. I have found that their bore diameter is .535, not the standard .500, and that this contributes to poorer patterns with heavier loads. The last thing about the 28 to consider is that they usually do not digest anyting larger than #7 shot well. Sometimes #6s will be servicable, but that's as large as I'd care to go in a 28. If in need more than 3/4 oz or larger than #6s, I'll start moving up in caliber. There are people who have taken the time to carefully develop hand loads that will be contrary to this, but it is a painstaking proceedure.

Regarding the chokes, an IC pattern out of a 28 will be the same as an IC out of a 12, but you need to keep in mind that patterns are measured in percentages of loads and the 28 is starting out at a severe handicap in the load department when compared to the 12ga. The idea is to be able to put 4 to 6 pellets of adaquate remaining energy (usually about 1.5ftlbs) into the bird. Since the pheasant has a vital area of about 8 to 10 square inches (not counting the head and neck) you'll need a pellet distribution of about 1 pellet per 2 square inches. If your shot will all be inside of 30 yards, 3/4oz of hard #7 shot at 1200fps shot through IC/M will serve you well. The key is to be selective when it comes to range. If the bird is more than 30-35 yards away, let it fly.

Finally, I have seen some postings by "internet expert ballisticians" that claim clean kills on pheasant out to 70 yards using an ounce of #5 shot. Be careful with the advice you receive. An ounce of #5s contains 170 pellets. A 70 yard pattern will have about 25% of the original pellets in a 30 inch circle. That 30 inch circle contains over 700 square inches. That works out to be about 1 pellet per 16 square inches. Now, mind you, I'm not saying it can't be done, there are always those golden BBs, but consistancey is another matter as is the risk of crippling. The math just doesn't bear these claims out.

If you are worried about chokes, have you thought about havint tubes installed? Mike Orlen, who is a moderator on the gunsmithing forum is a recognized expert. All reports of his workmanship and turnaround time are top shelf. If you decide on an O/U, the Franchi Veloce Diamond at Dick's for $800 is an alternative. It does come in 28 ga, but it is not generallyt advertised as such. Of the three, the Stoeger, the Fausti and the Franchi, I think the Fausti is the best deal. While the Franchi is a better gun, they are being made in "mass production" format under an exclusive contract to Dick's. I've noticed some of the areas of metal finish to be a little lacking.

Hope this helps.

Frank

 

[Frank Lopez]

I've seen pheasants with numerous hits with #7 or #6 for that matter,keep going 50 yds to drop dead mid-air,so I personally prefer to "hit them hard".

This is a very interesting point, and I agree with you. Let me explain. Here on Long Island, the pheasants are basically a put and take affair, certainly not as tenacious as wild birds. I generally use anything from 3/4 oz of #7s in the 28 to 1 1/8 oz of #6s in a 12ga. Like you, I hunt over pointing dogs, so the birds are usually pretty close, inside 25-30 yards. What I found is that if I use the same gun and switch from #7s to #6s the pattern starts getting a little thin and the birds are incapacitated, but not completely dead. Since my guns are choked Sk/Sk or IC/M, I may need to tighten you about a half degeree of choke if I go to #6s. My point is, why bother? If my #7s are putting the birds on the ground dead (about 1.75ftlbs at 30 yards), then #6s are over kill. You, on the other hand have more confidance with heavier shot. You just need to tighten up your choke very slightly to compensate for fewer pellets in the pattern. I agree with Geogh Thomas in that the most important aspect in shooting is confidance. If you are confidant that your equipment will deliver the desired results, then, somehow, we seem to make it happen.

Get yourself a 28 (as I said, the Fausti is nice! :wink: ), pattern it with a couple of different loads at the ranges you expect to be shooting. If you find acceptable patterns with 3/4 oz of #5s, you'll be dropping every pheasant that you center.

The 28 is a grand gun.

Frank

 

[Frank Lopez]

Ed,

Just a point of clarification. I was refering to #7 shot not #7.5s. It is a little difficult to find, but if you reload, you can get a bag off the internet. Try Recobs or one of those places. You wouyldn't think so, but that 1/2 size does make a difference. I have even heard of #6.5s, but I have yet to find any to try. Might up the pattern density enough to make a difference with the #6s.

Frank