Does the 20G make the 28G obselete for hunting?

[mchughcb]

I have been hankering for some time to buy a 28G. However since I bought my 20G shotguns last year and hunted with them I feel this want fading.
The 20G shotguns with the smaller and lighter frames compared to a 12G and cheaper loads from 21gr to 34gr loads available the question is, who is using a 28G over a 20G and why?

[SPEEDY]

In short no, for foxes yes but a light 28ga throws the best pattern (allegedly) and is even lighter to carry and with less recoil.
For upland birds I hear its the siht.

I use chamber adaptors in my 12ga to shoot 20ga and it actually throws better patterns then the 12ga loads do.
Get some 28ga sub gauge chamber adaptors to try in your 20ga and if you like it, then pick up a 28ga if you find you like it.

[mchughcb]

I don't know about that. The beretta silver pigeons in 20g and 28g seem to be the same weight 2.78kg in 28" barrels. The 20g offers cartridges as light and much heavier than the 28g. As for patterning, that's just something you have to test yourself with cartridge and choke.

[SPEEDY]

Grab some sub gage adapters like the little skeeters and give them a go, a cheap way to find out.

[Excessexpress]

If you get a 28 made on a 28 action, then it will be lighter. A 20 gauge action with 28 barrels does not make for a lighter and more compact overall package.

Try a Rizzini or a Fausti perhaps?

[9.3x64]

I specified a 28 gauge action for my Merkel drilling.
It really makes for extremely slim gun.

Just as a matter of interest when I was in Ferlach last August at the Karl Hauptmann factory. I saw them making a custom double in .410 gauge. The tiniest thing I have ever seen.
The things I saw in Ferlach were truly incredible and beautiful.

[9.3x64]

But give me a 20 gauge anyday.

[mchughcb]

I see the fausti 28g sxs is 2.24kg so another 0.5kg lighter than my 20g shotguns. Hmmm might have another look after july.

[SPEEDY]

A pound is a lot of weight in a shotgun, that would be so nimble especially with such little, well practically zero recoil.

I specified a 28 gauge action for my Merkel drilling.
It really makes for extremely slim gun.

Now that I'd like to see, in 22 hornet it would be the best small game combo around.

[9.3x64]

A pound is a lot of weight in a shotgun, that would be so nimble especially with such little, well practically zero recoil.

I specified a 28 gauge action for my Merkel drilling.
It really makes for extremely slim gun.

Now that I'd like to see, in 22 hornet it would be the best small game combo around.

9.3x74r x 9.3x74r x 20 gauge.
Very light double rifle drilling.
Lovely gun , I'm off walking creek beds with it in 3 weeks.
9.3x74r for the pigs, 20 gauge for the snakes.

[Gun Barrel Ecologist]

Other than for the limited quail seasons in a few states, isn’t the lack of appropriately sized game the biggest problem with a 28g?

We’ve just seen the, “run by hunters for hunters” Victorian GMU implement a “only target one bird, and don’t shoot again until after the retrieve” policy on ducks and, like it or lump it, Tom Rosters table has become elevated to Code of Practice status where failure to follow its scriptures could be opening oneself for a cruelty investigation...
So, unless hunting quail, why bother???

I’m sure F&G in Canberra still run a sub gauge simulated field comp or two per year - it’s always interesting to see how the smaller gauges lower the scores of AA shooters

[9.3x64]

But's what wrong with hunting quail.
I often hunt hunt with blokes up here with good dogs and a 28 gauge during the season....

[sav338]

Nothing wrong with hunting quail, I prefer eating quail to venison yum

[SPEEDY]

A 28ga would be good for calling crows, be outstanding for starlings and Indian myna's.

I keep looking for new game to target just to keep life interesting.

[Gun Barrel Ecologist]

Nothing wrong with it, used to hunt them in NSW when we had a season, with a 12g and no 9 shot...
12g skeet guns used to be the pick, can’t even remember anyone using a 20 back then, just light reloads