Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Pondering a new shotgun. Passed on my 12 ga Franchi O/U to Sassparilla Kid last weekend. Think I shot it once in seven years; nice gun, just never got around to using it. We had a trap event on Saturday (Boy Scout fundraiser); it was somewhat nicer than the Kid's CZ Woodcock, so I made him an early birthday present. He was plumb tickled - and did well with it. Anyway, I'm thinking about replacing it next spring with another smaller gauge - gots plenty o' twelves. And leaning toward another Franchi O/U. So... Twenty? Sixteen? Or how 'bout a Twenty-Eight? Thoughts? Opinions? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Two of my favorite Gauges are 16 and 28... I own more 16s than any other Gauge... Jabez Cowboy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 I’ve been going through the same exercise of looking at smaller caliber shotguns due to some neck issues. I can’t comment on 16’s because I don’t have any experience with them. But to me, the 20 gauge O/Us I’ve tried actually feel like they have more recoil than the 12 gauge guns. It’s as if the less steel in the frame and barrel can’t absorb the smaller cartridge’s physics, and they’re unpleasant to shoot. My next shotgun will be a SxS 28 gauge with a custom stock that fits me and my dorked up C-series vertebrae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 I am intrigued with a Browning Citori with a set of barrel inserts A buddy has one 20 ga , with 28 and 410 sub inserts I have been told there are 12ga with multi ga set s but they seem to be rather expensive CB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted September 26 Author Share Posted September 26 I'm getting curiouser and curiouser about the 28 gauge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 I have 2 28ga guns, Browning 725, and a SKB 690. I had a Browning m12 in 28 but apparently I've forgotten how to use a pump so I sold it. I love my 28's but they are expensive to shoot, about $140 a flat for shells, and sometimes hard to find, you need to reload. I quit shooting 12's years ago do to a shoulder injury, found 20's much more pleasant to shoot. 20's run about $85 a flat, not worth reloading at that price. I also have a couple .410 O/U's don't shoot them much because they are realy hard to find ammo for, but I do far better with them than I would have expected to do. If I could only have 1 I think I'd go with a good quality 20, probably a Browning 725 sporting, I can usually find 20ga ammo at a reasonable price. I'm not a trap shooter but the other day shot a round with the 28, broke 20 birds, best round of trap I've ever shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stump Water Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 (edited) Not an O/U, but... Some years ago Benelli came out with new a 28 ga. SA. The claim was that it was truly scaled down to the gauge instead of a 28ga with a 20ga sized receiver (or even 12ga like some makers use for all shotguns). IIRC the thing weighed less than 6 pounds. I wanted one bad. Could not justify it. Edited September 26 by Stump Water 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stump Water Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Found it. Quote The Legacy 28's inertia-driven system is properly scaled down to true 28-gauge proportions. This is no 28-gauge barrel on a 20-gauge action. https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/longgun_reviews_st_benellileg28_201006/99903 https://www.benelli-guns.be/menu-shotguns/semi-automatic-shotguns/raffaello/98-legacy-28 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vail Vigilante Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Sounds like a plan. Just remember of those gauges, 20 is the least expensive off the shelf...ammo wise. 16 is the most expensive and 28 seems to fall in between. At least in my area.... If I ever get another 16 a 16 gauge MEC is going home with me that day...... 28 is driven by the 4 gun skeet crowd. We have a large range here in Tucson that supplies that so our stores usually have some 28s on the shelf.... Anyway congrats on your new gun idea and put up pics of the stuff you shoot with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Angus McPherson Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 For practicality I'd have to go with the 20ga. Easier to find ammo and it's cheaper than 16 or 28. I haven't even SEEN 16ga. shells for sale anywhere for years. That said, I absolutely love the 28ga. I have a 12ga. Beretta with Briley tubes and with the 28ga. tubes installed there is very little recoil and it will hit skeet targets just as hard as the 12. I think I have a higher average with the 28ga. than with the 12ga. I know some folks who use the 28ga. for all skeet events except the .410. (Can't use a 28 when competing against 410's, don't ya know) I don't think I'd try to use one for trap, tho. Angus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 30 minutes ago, Black Angus McPherson said: For practicality I'd have to go with the 20ga. Easier to find ammo and it's cheaper than 16 or 28. I haven't even SEEN 16ga. shells for sale anywhere for years. That said, I absolutely love the 28ga. I have a 12ga. Beretta with Briley tubes and with the 28ga. tubes installed there is very little recoil and it will hit skeet targets just as hard as the 12. I think I have a higher average with the 28ga. than with the 12ga. I know some folks who use the 28ga. for all skeet events except the .410. (Can't use a 28 when competing against 410's, don't ya know) I don't think I'd try to use one for trap, tho. Angus ...... ask them how they'd feel about using 36ga ......... 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 35 minutes ago, Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 said: ...... ask them how they'd feel about using 36ga ......... 😉 I just said I have 2 of them. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 (edited) I have never owned a 28 gauge. But that's what I would buy if I were buying! Maybe a Ruger Red Label, just because I like discontinued models. Who wants to carry a gun that looks like everyone else's? Edited September 27 by J-BAR #18287 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 Both Federal and Remington offer Game Loads in shot sizes from 8-6. there are even Steel Shot loads ... Cabala's and Bass Pro have them .... My 28 ga. is a Winchester 101, 26 inch Imp -mod... Jabez Cowboy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 (edited) I had a Browning Sweet Sixteen and have leaned toward the 16s ever since...right behind 12 gauge. I have one 16 now, an Ithaca Featherlight, along with a Featherlight 12 and a 20. What can I say? I love Ithaca pump guns. I've thought about finding one in .410 and /or 28, but I don't really have much enthusiasm for them right now. Edited September 27 by Forty Rod SASS 3935 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 around here about 40 years back the 16 and 28 ruled the quail hunts the guys that shot 28s were great shooters and most had money were I to come across a 28 sxs , I do think , I would have to figure out a way to buy it if it were a Fox or a Stevens 311 CB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted September 27 Author Share Posted September 27 4 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: I had a Browning Sweet Sixteen and have leaned toward the 16s ever since...right behind 12 gauge. I have one 16 now, an Ithaca Featherlight, along with a Featherlight 12 and a 20. What can I say? I love Ithaca pump guns. I've thought about finding one in .410 and /or 28, but I don't really have much enthusiasm for them right now. Sassparilla Kid* has a 16 ga Winchester Model 12 that was his "Go-To" shotgun for years. Ducks and doves and clay pigeons all feared the lad and that gun.... Alas, with lead shot now illegal for hunting in california it's pretty much retired - he's not about to mess up the full-choke barrel with steel shot, and lead trap loads are a challenge to find. Hopefully some day he'll stumble upon a proper barrel and bring it out of retirement. *He still fondly remembers dinner with you and your delightful missus some fifteen or sixteen years ago... The kid - limit of doves before the start of work ~ 16 ga Model 12, back when lead shot was still legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 well it appears I am safe Fox nor Stevens ever made a 28 sxs , according to the book I have saved me a bunch of money CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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