I know there is no such thing as perfect, that being said, I wonder why the 28 gauge shotgun never gained the popularity of other gauges? Thirty years ago I was introduced to the world of 28 gauge shotguns. I'd been invited to Oklahoma to spend Thanksgiving with my older brother. A close friend of his celebrates Thanksgiving with a Pheasant-Quail hunt on a private preserve. When I arrived with my 20 gauge Winchester featherweight over and under, I was handed a 28 gauge; smiling the gentleman told me that they didn't like overkill and told me that I would be very pleased with his recommendation by days end. In short, I had the best bird hunting day of my life.
With marriage, three children and a business to run, common sense told me that I'd have to wait a while, a long while, before investing in a new shotgun. Years passed and the purchase was put off time and again.
Last fall, I walked into Cabela's with no intention of purchasing a firearm. Inside their gun library on display was an Italian side by side made by a family named Fausti. I picked the shotgun up and raised it to my shoulder several times. The shotgun felt as though it was custom made for me, I fell in love at first sight.
My first hunting experience was squirrel. Then pheasant and duck. The only hold back was finding the appropriate shells. In the end I purchased a reloading kit for the 28. With three inch shells using 4&6 shot for ducks it's deadly. I actually loaded 2 shot and took a few geese shooting from a pit blind over decoys.
In a world where bigger is better, I've gone in the opposite direction. The shotgun is half the weight of my 12 gauge Benelli, shoulders twice as fast and, has little if any recoil. The only downside is the need to reload because of the narrow range of shells available and their cost. I limit my shots; pass shooting ducks and geese at 45-50 yards doesn't happen, but when shooting over decoys, I've never had more fun than using a 28.
Hunting is a sport and using 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge shotgun shells isn't fun anymore. I've come to appreciate and garner a lot more satisfaction working on my calling techniques and setting up decoys properly to get the birds to cooperate. I'm also spending more time knocking down clay pigeons.
I guess I'm just wondering if I'm one of the few who really enjoys the little 28 or if I've just learned late in life.
With marriage, three children and a business to run, common sense told me that I'd have to wait a while, a long while, before investing in a new shotgun. Years passed and the purchase was put off time and again.
Last fall, I walked into Cabela's with no intention of purchasing a firearm. Inside their gun library on display was an Italian side by side made by a family named Fausti. I picked the shotgun up and raised it to my shoulder several times. The shotgun felt as though it was custom made for me, I fell in love at first sight.
My first hunting experience was squirrel. Then pheasant and duck. The only hold back was finding the appropriate shells. In the end I purchased a reloading kit for the 28. With three inch shells using 4&6 shot for ducks it's deadly. I actually loaded 2 shot and took a few geese shooting from a pit blind over decoys.
In a world where bigger is better, I've gone in the opposite direction. The shotgun is half the weight of my 12 gauge Benelli, shoulders twice as fast and, has little if any recoil. The only downside is the need to reload because of the narrow range of shells available and their cost. I limit my shots; pass shooting ducks and geese at 45-50 yards doesn't happen, but when shooting over decoys, I've never had more fun than using a 28.
Hunting is a sport and using 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge shotgun shells isn't fun anymore. I've come to appreciate and garner a lot more satisfaction working on my calling techniques and setting up decoys properly to get the birds to cooperate. I'm also spending more time knocking down clay pigeons.
I guess I'm just wondering if I'm one of the few who really enjoys the little 28 or if I've just learned late in life.
