After reading through four pages on this subject I have some random thoughts.
The OP didn't mention if the ammo being used was factory or reloads. In either case the problem could be the type of wads used. Cheap factory stuff can have terrible wadding & I've found some of this bottom shelf stuff to have awful patterns.
The 28ga in general is famous for having great patterning due to it being a square load in 3/4oz loadings. I've tried heavier shot loads only to revert back to the basics of what the gauge is known for. 3/4oz of 71/2 or 6's will get the job done as long as you keep things in perspective for the type of game you're shooting.
I'm thinking that Dylan simply was shooting some ammo that his gun just didn't pattern well & he might simply need to take several different loadings to the pattern board and see what works best through his gun.
I've shot a bunch of early season wild pheasants over the years with a 28ga and loved every minute of it, but I also changed over to a 20 or 16 later in the season when I felt the need to use larger shot sizes when the birds had their full winter plumage & potentially needing to shoot at longer ranges.
Bottom line is to find out what works best in your gun and keep things between the guard rails for the gauge of the gun and the game you're hunting.
Parker repro 28ga guns are light in weight and delightful to carry in the field, but they can also be as tough on the shooter as they are on what you're shooting at because of this. Between being under 6lb's in weight and having a skeleton butt plate, they can have some uncomfortable recoil when shooting heavy fast loads through them. Keep things in perspective & enjoy the gun & gauge for what it is.
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