I've killed more wild pheasants with a 28 gauge than any other gauge...BUT that was when I was dedicated to the 28 AND I did not shoot beyond 30 yards. I have never been a true pheasant hunter, and have mostly taken them incidental to quail hunting. A 28 gauge with standard loads will kill any bird within range. The problem is that most folks can't resist it when the big, long-tailed bird gets up near 40 yards or more. When I'm going after pheasants "on purpose," I take a 12 or 16 with its standard load and at least #6 shot. And I do my best to limit my shots to 40 yards or less.
The longer shot string of an over-stuffed 28 gives little advantage from my experience. My two cents...worth less than that I'm sure.
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers )
"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
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