Next weekend is going to be my first time chasing pheasants. I'm considering using my sxs 28 gauge with 6 shot. Will that load be okay or should I stick with the trusty 12 gauge? Thanks...

12 ga will always bring em down when you hit em.

if you feel good about your shooting you can bring them down dead with a 28ga. and #6 should be fine. you might look into the fiocchi golden pheasant loads. they pattern real well out of my remmy 1187 with a modified choke.
BUT you have to hit them, as they say shoot em in the face.

good luck. take pictures

I hopin to make a trip to gander Friday night when I get into Lubbock. Hopefully the keep some 28 in stock.

Considering what I witnessed in the duck blind last week I would stick with the 12ga you're gonna need all the help you can get

Always lurking... Different game entirely with the sxs 28 gauge!

Old guy we hunt with every year shoots a 28 and knocks em dead. He's one hell of a shot though. If you're not hunting over a pointer, and just flushing birds shots will be tough with a 28 if they aren't flushing pretty close.

I think if you are better than average wing shot then go with the 28(take 12 as back up). Use the highest FPS load you can find in 6's. I use a 16ga and do the same thing. It is not about total shot weight. It is speed that penetrates the feather shell. It only takes one or 2 #6s to kill.

I got some 1300 FPS #6's for the 28 and bought some #5 prairie storm's for the 12 gauge for back-up...

Your good to go!!!!

LOL, stackgreen with the zinger! I would def take anything other than the 12 gauge Anthony, seems to be broken...

i have used a 12 for the last 10 yrs last yr bought 410 over an under did very well with it so your 28 will do good.if you shoot good.

I shoot a 28ga for quail, I hit some and I miss some. But I missed some with my 20ga. Quite a few of the ones I hit with the 28ga are still kicking when the dog or I get to them. So I'd be a little twitchy about killing pheasants with my 28ga. on anything but a real close shot. But the bottom line is if your a good shot, your a good shot and I'm not.

If you are shooting close then a 28 ga. is fine.If the birds are wary and getting up far ahead then you need more gun.

The ONLY difference between the 28 and the 12 is less shot. Each pellet has the same killing power at the same distances whether your shooting a 12, 28 or .410, just fewer pellets....(assuming you compare shells with similar velocity). Look up shot count and choke pattern tables online and select the choke you feel fits the situation.

P_102

I have shot Rio 28 ga. on dove and quail with great results. It is a 1 oz load, 1200 fps. I also shoot a reload that I do that is Winchester AA. It holds 9/10 oz of shot, travels about the same speed and is killer. I would be confident using either of these on pheasant on shots under 40 yards.

I used some RIO's during dove season and had really good success with them. I bought them at McBride's while I was in Austin. I haven't found a place around Dallas that carries them though...

Charlie you game on with the 28 ga and #5 or #6's, plus you have a hell of dog if they do it the ground running!! Not to mention your arms will thank you for not lugging that 12 around

Don't over think it and you will be fine. Good luck!!!

B&S Gun in Garland, Beltline and 30.

Oh thank.. Is that the one next to Bass Pro?

No, it's next to Bakers Ribs on I-30 at the Belt Line Rd / Broadway exit.

thanks

All I shoot is a 28 hunted in Kansas 3 days ago and shot limits with it. 7.5 double a's worked just fine. I like the 3/4 oz over the 1 oz load. They seem to shoot better for me.