The appeal of a 28-gauge shotgun

I asked my friend Davis Viehbeck why so many hunters like us love our 28-gauge guns. He says he was so blown away at the efficiency of the round, and it’s all he uses for grouse hunting now. “I remember the first bird I got with it, a woodcock,” he said. “I was hunting over Birch, my eightmonth- old English setter. He was on point and the bird flushed. I shouldered the gun and shot and almost surprised myself when I hit it. I’ll never forget that bird.” The 28 gauge is something I am growing increasingly fond of. While I generally hunt grouse with my .22, there are times I pick up my shotgun — like the early season when leafy cover is heavy, or after I’ve missed a couple birds with my .22 and want to turn things around. I shy away from larger-gauge shotguns for grouse and have found the 28 to be the perfect match. The 28 falls between its counterparts: 410 - .410", 28 ga - .545", and 20 ga - .615". The shotgun solution The 28 gauge checks a lot of boxes. Though popular, the .410 is limited in range and payload. Twelve and 20 gauges are popular for small game, but for some, this may seem a little overkill — whether shot volume or recoil related. The 28 offers a balanced compromise. The 28 is appealing to youth, small statured shooters, or those wanting less recoil. It is also popular among many upland hunters since it’s light and comfortable to carry, is easy to get on target, and shoots like a dream. Most shooters will barely notice any recoil, and it carries nicely if you like to put miles on your boots. Back from the brink The 28 has grown in popularity recently, and concerns about 28 shell availability seem to have become a thing of the past. With .410 ammo shortages, many shotgunners gravitated to the 28. “The 28 is here to stay. It was on the verge of being obsolete,” Adrian Hagar of D&R Sports in Thunder Bay said. “For years not many people heard of it, but now it is back in full force. We are well stocked in ammo, and don’t anticipate any shortages in the near future.” It’s just an ideal option, Hagar added. “It is a great grouse load, and with inexpensive single shotguns starting at a