As I am mainly a devout waterfowler, I might put my std. 12 bores in league with your fine 28 VH- and then the 3" Mag 12's and the (hopefully someday std. 10) up to the big bores.
For early season light feathered ducks, over decoys or jump shooting float trips- a std. 12 2.75" 1 & 1/8 oz. first shot, possibly 1 & 1/4 oz. second and maybe third shots- I would venture to compare that to your upland work on pheasants with the 28 bores.
But when the weather turns and the flight birds are "In"- I use the 3" 12 mags-and I am more into pass shooting or field layout hunts then.
The "upland" hunts I have now are mainly Hunt Club preserve pheasants, our native stock here in MI is pretty much "Kaput"-- and my club hunts are less costly than a 3-5 hunt in SD or KS- if you go by the Hunting Lodge prices as seen in GSJ, etc.
I also hunt with mainly flushing dogs, and often get "rangy" shots on Roosters, where a well balanced 12 double choked M&F works best for me. I'm almost 70, still have good vision (hearing, not so great) but my reflexes aren't what they were 35 years ago.
I'm NOT a cheapskate- but every preserve pheasant that sails off unhit is a $20 bill getting airborne- SO-- just from a "cost effectiveness" point of view, I prefer a 7 & 3/8 lb. side-by with DT (ejectors optional, some of my Smiths and Parkers have them, some don't) 28" or 30" barrels, PG and splinter FE. That's my "winning combo"!!
