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"!!
It was "Da Clintster" who said those words of wisdom
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