Sub-gauge shotguns have gained a huge following over the last few years, and with good reason; they are much easier on the shoulder, and modern shotshells make them nearly as effective as the 12-gauge, but in a lighter, handier package. I started hunting small game with a Savage/Stevens/Fox Model BSE side-by-side in .410-bore, and more recently I've adopted a Stevens 555 stack barrel in 28-gauge. While I find my darling old .410 to be my favorite cottontail rabbit gun, the 28-gauge might be the most underrated shotgun yet; it punches well above its weight class.
New for 2024, Winchester brings a trio of excellent shotshells in 28-gauge to the table, giving both waterfowlers and upland game hunters great new options. In the Xpert shotshell line, Winchester offers waterfowlers a 3-inch steel load, featuring ¾-ounce of No. 4 shot, at 1350 fps. If the idea of using steel shot doesn’t appeal to you, Winchester offers a non-toxic option in the Bismuth line, with a 3-inch load stuffed with one ounce of No. 5 shot, leaving the muzzle at 1,300 fps. I personally prefer the terminal performance of Bismuth over steel, as it retains more energy downrange than steel does.
And for the upland crowd, Winchester brings a 28 gauge option to the Super Pheasant shotshell line. Using a 1⅛-ounce load of copper-plated No. 5 shot, cradled in a wad designed to optimize the shot pattern, the Super Pheasant load will allow fans of the 28-gauge to ruin many a rooster’s day. At 1200 fps, the 3-inch, 28-gauge Super Pheasant load will hold distant birds, without punishing the shooter’s shoulder.
For more information, visit winchester.com.
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