The .28 gauge shotgun sure doesn't disappoint
John Johnston

PHOTO BY JOHN JOHNSTON Left to right: .410-, .28-, .16-, .20- and .12- gaugue shotgun shells are pictured with the SKB 385 double barrel, .28-gauge shotgun.

The .28 gauge has been around so long I could not find out when it was developed.

It recently was made famous by our vice president during a hunting accident. In the last few years due to getting older and having a bad back, I decided to use the .28 gauge for certain hunting situations. So far I have not been disappointed.

Let's look at the .28-gauge load. It shoots a 7/8-1 ounce load of lead shot at velocities up to 1,300 feet per second. With a 1-ounce load, it duplicates the ballistics of a .20 gauge. If you compare it to its little brother the .410, the difference is apparent. The .410 shoots a 1/2-ounce load.

The shotguns designed for the .28 gauge are scaled-down versions of the same gun in .20 or .12 gauge. This makes them light and quick to point. A good beginner's shotgun is a .28 gauge, gas-operated semi-automatic. This provides a light-weight, compact and reduced recoil shotgun but at the same time shooting 1 ounce of shot. So many people start new hunters off with a .410.

John Johnston is a retired sergeant detective who served with the Austin Police Department for 25 years. He also was a licensed gun dealer for 25 years and now resides in Lampasas County. He can be contacted via e-mail at olsingleshot@gmail.com.

I think this is a mistake. The .410 is used as a handicap in sport shooting. So if a new hunter uses the .410, his chance of success is limited. Most of the hunters I know who do well with a .12 gauge would be frustrated by a .410.

Nearly all of the major firearm manufacturers make a .28 gauge model or two. In recent years the .28 gauge has gained popularity. It is perfect as a dove and quail gun.

Sure, you have to be right on target, because you certainly do not have the same amount of shot out there that a .12 gauge shoots. It is a little light for pheasant and chukar, but I have known folks who have used them for these game birds.

The drawback is the .28-gauge shotguns typically are a little more expensive than the same gun in .20 or .12 gauge. This applies to the ammunition as well. The .28-gauge shells cost about 15-30 percent more than .12s or .20s, and you do not have much of a choice of loads. This is due to supply and demand.

For the reloader, the .28 gauge is a dream come true. You can load it down with 3/4-ounce load or up to 1-ounce load with a wide range of velocities. Since recoil is formulated using the shot weight, velocity and weight of the gun, you can develop some very mild recoil target loads.

See if you can find a fellow shooter who owns a .28-gauge shotgun and try it out. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Remember, always use eye and ear protection.