20 vs 28 - what should I expect?

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  • Horseman308

    Active Member
    Jan 27, 2016
    222
    I'm going to shoot sporting clays in a couple weeks for only my second time - and the first was over 15 years ago. I'm SO excited. I've got a 28-gauge Ruger Red Label on permanent loan from my dad, but I've never shot it. I've shot lots of redneck skeet (you know, single and double clays flung over a pasture next to the barn), mostly with a 12g semi (11-87). I've used 12, 16, and 20 gauge doubles from time to time but not consistently.

    So, this light gauge O/U will be a real change. I know I'll just have to do it for real, but can someone give me some idea of what to expect in terms of recoil, barrel jump, swing, etc? You know, that feel stuff.

    Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
     

    Redcobra

    Senior Shooter
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 10, 2010
    6,422
    Near the Chesapeake Bay
    I'm going to shoot sporting clays in a couple weeks for only my second time - and the first was over 15 years ago. I'm SO excited. I've got a 28-gauge Ruger Red Label on permanent loan from my dad, but I've never shot it. I've shot lots of redneck skeet (you know, single and double clays flung over a pasture next to the barn), mostly with a 12g semi (11-87). I've used 12, 16, and 20 gauge doubles from time to time but not consistently.

    So, this light gauge O/U will be a real change. I know I'll just have to do it for real, but can someone give me some idea of what to expect in terms of recoil, barrel jump, swing, etc? You know, that feel stuff.

    Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

    With 3/4 oz of shot, you had better be on the bird. Recoil and muzzle jump should not be a problem. Swing should start quick and end quick with that liteweight gun. Hope you looked at the price for 28g shells before getting into this. Have fun. That's the point.
     

    BossmanPJ

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 22, 2013
    7,057
    Cecil County
    No experience with a 28ga, but would you perhaps be shooting in a few weeks at the MRWA opening day at Delmarva Sporting Clays?
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,726
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I have been shooting a Rem 870 Wingmaster 28ga exclusively since my arthritis starting getting bad about 5 years ago. I shoot sporting clays and trap with it but I have used it alot. Even so, I have to shoot every week to keep my scores in the twenties at trap. I shoot sporting clays in Allentown Pa about four times a year with my brother and I can shoot 60 out of 100 using 7.5 and 8 shot and changing choke tubes as needed. While a great upland bird gun, the 28ga (expecially with a 25 inch barrel) was really not made for sporting games. I would definitely pattern both barrels before you go though.

    Have fun.
     

    Horseman308

    Active Member
    Jan 27, 2016
    222
    I'll be going to Delmarva with a buddy on the 29th.

    I have a couple cases of 28s on hand and a couple more cases to pick up next time I visit my family's place in TN.

    I figure this will be a good way to see how the 28 goes. If I don't like it, I may see if I can find someone willing to trade for a 20.

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    fabsroman

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 14, 2009
    35,852
    Winfield/Taylorsville in Carroll
    I'll be going to Delmarva with a buddy on the 29th.

    I have a couple cases of 28s on hand and a couple more cases to pick up next time I visit my family's place in TN.

    I figure this will be a good way to see how the 28 goes. If I don't like it, I may see if I can find someone willing to trade for a 20.

    Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

    Save the hulls. It actually makes financial sense to reload for 28 gauge and the hulls are actually worth something. If they are Winchester AA or Remington STS, I know somebody that would want them (i.e., me).

    Hitting stuff with a 28 gauge isn't a problem IF you are good. There isn't as much room for error with a 28 gauge, especially on the targets that are way out there. For targets close up, the 28 gauge is plenty good.

    The recoil and muzzle jump is almost non-existent.

    Give a whirl and report back on how it went.
     

    slsc98

    Ultimate Member
    May 24, 2012
    6,746
    Escaped MD-stan to WNC Smokies
    ...So, this light gauge O/U will be a real change. I know I'll just have to do it for real, but can someone give me some idea of what to expect in terms of recoil, barrel jump, swing, etc? You know, that feel stuff.

    I’ve owned and shot a Ruger 28ga for about 15 years now so ...

    Recoil: Nil;
    Barrel jump: (that’s funny, but), No;
    Swing: ding-ding-ding, you are the winner! This (swing or rather, LACK thereof) is going to be your biggest challenge of (or damper on) the day.

    Best and most sincere analogy I can give you is that is like putting a #2 pencil in/on your shoulder and trying to swing that (try it, really, and get back to us after your shoot!)

    For this reason (such light weight) I actually use my Ruger 28ga as a “training device.” I mean, do ANYTHING, even slightly incorrectly and it’s a missed target (that I’d still hit with a heavier o/u). Head up off the gun a tad? Woof. Fail to follow-through-swing deeply? Miss. Don’t know if you shoot low/no (I.e., off the shoulder) or pre-mount but, either way, if both hands aren’t working TOGETHER during a swing-mount (or) gun not “in” the shoulder pocket during the shot process? Lost.

    It is usual for me to score around a 20 in Skeet when I shoot the 28ga Red Label first and then run a straight with just about ANY other gun I own; the Red Label 28ga is just that light (and NOT center balanced)

    Not trying to discourage you but, I would encourage you to take a gun (even a .410 or any other 28ga) that weighs more, is balanced more appropriately for sporting; and save the 28ga Rec Label for Skeet (or bird hunting which, after all, is it’s real intended purpose. That is, a field gun. If I get invited to spend the day carrying a gun 100% of the day but only pulling the trigger <5% of the day, the Red Label 28ga is THE gun to go-to!

    No matter what you decide, have a blast gett8ng back into one of the best pastimes ever invented!!!!!:party29:
     

    Horseman308

    Active Member
    Jan 27, 2016
    222
    Slsc98, thanks for that breakdown. Very helpful. I'll have to work on being very deliberate with technique. I'm looking forward to the course. My favorite shooting has always been walk-through stuff - 3d archery, muzzleloader woods walks, etc. I've just never been much of a shotgunner. Looking to change that...

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    TrappedinMD

    Active Member
    Dec 15, 2011
    856
    Western MD
    I've been shooting clays almost exclusively with a Remington 3200 with 28 gauge tubes in it for years. That is a great cartridge for clay shooting, but you should probably start reloading as factory new ammo is pricey.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,726
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I've been shooting clays almost exclusively with a Remington 3200 with 28 gauge tubes in it for years. That is a great cartridge for clay shooting, but you should probably start reloading as factory new ammo is pricey.

    Your shotgun swings a lot different than a lightweight Ruger. I agree with the reloading part. Unless you are super wealthy, you can't afford to shoot 28ga for too long without reloading. :sad20:
     

    RoadDawg

    Nos nostraque Deo
    Dec 6, 2010
    94,181
    Former Certified NSSA Referee here...

    Lot's of shooters (using 3/4 oz loads) remarked that they liked their 28ga because it had the same amount of pellets as a 12ga but had less recoil and produced a longer string of shot pellets in flight. The longer string of shot in a more narrow stream gave them the feeling that they had a better chance of connecting one of those pellets with the bird as the paths crossed.

    Of course... The shot was traveling too fast for me to confirm this... But some folks did get more hits from the 28 than the 12... and liked the 3/4 oz loads in both. And they all hated to hear... "LOST!!!"
     

    Superreverb

    Active Member
    Aug 29, 2009
    357
    Western HoCo
    Love me some 28-ga!!! I've got three: A Parker Repro by Winchester DHE-grade,, a Winchester 101 choked full and modified (quaaaaaiiiiilllll), and an 870 Express 28-ga with a youth stock for my Daughter, who is a teeny thing.

    If you're going to shoot 28, best to load your own, as factory ammo is pricey-pricey. My Dad gave me roughly 1500 once-fired AA empties, so I'm set for a while. I have a Hornady 366 progressive in 28, but usually just load old-school on an old Mec single stage.

    Great little guns that pattern roughly the same as a 12-guage (I shoot 3/4-oz 12-ga handloads for trap.....) :)
     

    Doco Overboard

    Ultimate Member
    Save the hulls. It actually makes financial sense to reload for 28 gauge and the hulls are actually worth something. If they are Winchester AA or Remington STS, I know somebody that would want them (i.e., me).
    When the Guerini guys and old boys shoot at one of the farms they will nearly fill a plastic waste drum with them. Next time I'll go down that lane and check it out.
    Probably have a lot of .410 mixed in that you'll have to sort if you want them, problem is they're Fiocchi I think last time I looked.
     

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