Norm;
I'm not all that familiar with hunting with a 28 ga, my first time this past weekend, but I do have 2 of them. I also have an 870 but in 12 ga. I'm a big model 12 fan, have several as well as Model 42s and a Stevens pump. I have one of them in 28 ga too as well as new 28 ga o/u Sig/Rizzini. I have over 45 years of experience hunting with a pump of one kind or other.
I have a friend who wanted to sell me his Stoger sxs 28 ga a few weeks ago before I bought the Rizzini. I had it a weekend and shot approaching 100 rnds through it. Since I'm not a big sxs fan nor do I particularly like double triggers I didn't really "mesh" with it. You'r right, it isn't particularly fancy in fit, finish, or wood. I think one can get a model with a bit of an upgrade if you desire. This one had a cheapo light white wood that the guy trying to sell it had "refinished" ! I use the term loosley! If functionality and price are more important to you than asthetics, get the Stoger sxs. Especially if you are already acustomed to using/shooting a sxs. It was a fairly well built, mechanicaly sound functional shotgun, but was far lacking in wht I was looking for at the time, especially me not being a big SxS fan anyhow. From wht you are describing as your intended use, I would get the Stoger SxS. Granted the Wingmaster is a prettier gun, maybe even worth more, but like you already discovered they cost a couple hundered bucks more than the Stoger. Buy the Stoger and the couple hundered you save on the gun, spend for shells. As you may already know, or if you don't, soon will! 28 ga shells are somewhat more money than 12 or 20 ga. No more than you are liable to use, it probably isn't worth your time to reload, unless, of course, being retired you are looking for something productive to do with a bit of time!
BP
I'm not all that familiar with hunting with a 28 ga, my first time this past weekend, but I do have 2 of them. I also have an 870 but in 12 ga. I'm a big model 12 fan, have several as well as Model 42s and a Stevens pump. I have one of them in 28 ga too as well as new 28 ga o/u Sig/Rizzini. I have over 45 years of experience hunting with a pump of one kind or other.
I have a friend who wanted to sell me his Stoger sxs 28 ga a few weeks ago before I bought the Rizzini. I had it a weekend and shot approaching 100 rnds through it. Since I'm not a big sxs fan nor do I particularly like double triggers I didn't really "mesh" with it. You'r right, it isn't particularly fancy in fit, finish, or wood. I think one can get a model with a bit of an upgrade if you desire. This one had a cheapo light white wood that the guy trying to sell it had "refinished" ! I use the term loosley! If functionality and price are more important to you than asthetics, get the Stoger sxs. Especially if you are already acustomed to using/shooting a sxs. It was a fairly well built, mechanicaly sound functional shotgun, but was far lacking in wht I was looking for at the time, especially me not being a big SxS fan anyhow. From wht you are describing as your intended use, I would get the Stoger SxS. Granted the Wingmaster is a prettier gun, maybe even worth more, but like you already discovered they cost a couple hundered bucks more than the Stoger. Buy the Stoger and the couple hundered you save on the gun, spend for shells. As you may already know, or if you don't, soon will! 28 ga shells are somewhat more money than 12 or 20 ga. No more than you are liable to use, it probably isn't worth your time to reload, unless, of course, being retired you are looking for something productive to do with a bit of time!
BP
