![]() ![]() Fortunately, there is a good selection of “magnum” 28-gauge shells available, though they feature lead shot. Since these birds tend to flush at greater distances-and are hearty to boot-standard target loads are poor choices. Given the light weight and pointability of true, scaled-down 28-gauge shotguns, they are a natural choice for long treks in pursuit of pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens. ![]() ![]() Using lead shot, the 28 maxes out around 1 ounce. The ballistics are near identical, though by virtue of its larger hull, the 20-gauge can handle a 1⅛-ounce payload of lead shot. It would be properly be paralleled by the 2¾-inch 20-gauge. It’s an unjust correlation, as the former propels larger quantities of shot, and it’ll pattern better, too. You’ll note that the velocities of the ⅞- and 1-ounce loads parallel many target and/or light field loads in 12-gauge.ĭespite the aforementioned ballistics, the 28-gauge is often lumped together with the smaller. For instance, 2¼-dram loads will propel ¾-, ⅞- and 1-ounce payloads of lead shot to 1295, 12 fps, respectively. Due to its high pressure-by shotshell standards-the shell provides performance out of proportion to its size. 410-bore (13,500 psi), and it is equaled by the 2½-inch. To put that pressure into perspective, it’s only exceeded by the 12-gauge, 3½-inch (14,000 psi) and the 3-inch. Let’s focus on the 2¾-inch variant, which has a maximum average pressure (MAP) of 12,500 psi. It was never a 12-, 20- or even 16-gauge, though there’s much renewed interest.Īccording to the American National Standard Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Shotshell Ammunition for the Use of Commercial Manufacturers, “the bore diameter of the 28-gauge, 2¾-inch shell is 0.545-inch + 0.20-inch.” Note the standardized 2¾-inch part no mainstream manufacturer now chambers a 28-gauge shotgun with a shorter length, though there is the 3-inch variant that emerged in recent times. It wasn’t until a handful of well-known gun makers began chambering it in the early 20 th century that the pint-size gauge gained popularity-relatively speaking, of course. ![]() In fact, according to Cartridges of the World, 13 th Ed., “The original blackpowder loading used a 2½-inch shell with 1¾ drams of powder and ⅝-ounce of shot.” It appears to have originated in Europe before crossing the Atlantic in the late 19 th century. Minimal has been written about the 28-gauge’s background, and much of it is fairly vague however, one thing is for sure: it’s not new. ![]()
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