I've always been a believer in the 28 gauge. Light recoil and hits out of its weight on targets. I've owned three 28s and my current one is a quality o/u from the same maker as my 12 gauge target gun.
The downside of the 28 is the cost and availability of ammo. My lowest price option is Challenger however their sporting load is fast at 1,350fps and a little stiff on the shoulder, meanwhile the more sedate factory options are around 50 per cent more expensive than premium factory 12 gauge.
Reloading was always in option but I felt I wasn't shooting 28 often enough to justify the investment. But as things happen the 28 gauge addiction dug deeper and I was shooting it more often much to my continued delight. It was only a matter of time until I started rolling my own.
A local dealer mentioned in passing he'd taken a 28 gauge loader on trade but that it was missing a few parts. What he showed me an older MEC 600 Jr. in excellent condition and quoted a price that represented about half the cost of a flat of factory shells. I snapped the deal up because, as good fortune would have it, I had exactly the same model 600 in 12 gauge gathering dust at home and the missing parts were interchangeable.
All that was left to buy was powder, wads and a new bushing. After a few minutes cannibalizing my old loader and an adjustment here and there, I was in business. Although I'd started loading on a MEC 600 a couple of decades ago I'd long since switched to a MEC 9000 for 12 gauge. Old muscle memories returned and once I got the rhythm back a new box of shells was being produced every 10-12 minutes. Not lightning speed to be sure but certainly good enough and I will have saved the cost of the loader and accessories when I complete my second flat of shells.
I suspect that when we are serious about score I'll reach for my 12 but for sheer shooting delight nothing beats the 28 gauge. And while I doubt I will be saving any money I will most definitely be shooting it more.
Of course the temptation is to search for a 28 gauge Wingmaster or, if the clay gods are smiling upon me, a mint-condition 28 gauge Wingmaster skeet.
Paul
The downside of the 28 is the cost and availability of ammo. My lowest price option is Challenger however their sporting load is fast at 1,350fps and a little stiff on the shoulder, meanwhile the more sedate factory options are around 50 per cent more expensive than premium factory 12 gauge.
Reloading was always in option but I felt I wasn't shooting 28 often enough to justify the investment. But as things happen the 28 gauge addiction dug deeper and I was shooting it more often much to my continued delight. It was only a matter of time until I started rolling my own.
A local dealer mentioned in passing he'd taken a 28 gauge loader on trade but that it was missing a few parts. What he showed me an older MEC 600 Jr. in excellent condition and quoted a price that represented about half the cost of a flat of factory shells. I snapped the deal up because, as good fortune would have it, I had exactly the same model 600 in 12 gauge gathering dust at home and the missing parts were interchangeable.
All that was left to buy was powder, wads and a new bushing. After a few minutes cannibalizing my old loader and an adjustment here and there, I was in business. Although I'd started loading on a MEC 600 a couple of decades ago I'd long since switched to a MEC 9000 for 12 gauge. Old muscle memories returned and once I got the rhythm back a new box of shells was being produced every 10-12 minutes. Not lightning speed to be sure but certainly good enough and I will have saved the cost of the loader and accessories when I complete my second flat of shells.
I suspect that when we are serious about score I'll reach for my 12 but for sheer shooting delight nothing beats the 28 gauge. And while I doubt I will be saving any money I will most definitely be shooting it more.
Of course the temptation is to search for a 28 gauge Wingmaster or, if the clay gods are smiling upon me, a mint-condition 28 gauge Wingmaster skeet.
Paul
