28 ga Repro

[edgarspencer]

My 26", marked IC & Mod, measures .011" and .020". That sure looks like Mod & Full to me.

[Scott Gentry]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

My 26", marked IC & Mod, measures .011" and .020". That sure looks like Mod & Full to me.

The charts I have reviewed mine is Skeet/ imp. Mod.

[Double Lab]

I can't comment on a the reproduction chokes but I learned over many years of shooting 28 gauge guns that you are much better off ballistically with tighter chokes.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

ballistically

Damn! He is good too

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

... ***snip*** ... I learned over many years of shooting 28 gauge guns that you are much better off ballistically with tighter chokes.

Would you please expound on this a little more?

[Double Lab]

Sure will Greg. First off this is my experience after shooting two original Parker 28's for 40+ years. My 26" VH measures .011/.20 and the 30" measures .012/.022. I believe that smallbores benefit from tighter chokes. That's just my observation. I know that a few members here have shot the 30" gun and shot it lights out. Just ask Chuckie B.

Now for the reason I say that. I have a high end 28ga o/u with choke tubes. I started out with .004/.013 and just wasn't happy with the target breaks or the lethality on live birds. I ended up screwing in .014/.026 tubes and it changed the whole complexion of the gun.

Once again this is just my opinion.

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

Sure will Greg. First off this is my experience after shooting two original Parker 28's for 40+ years. My 26" VH measures .011/.20 and the 30" measures .012/.022. I believe that smallbores benefit from tighter chokes. That's just my observation. I know that a few members here have shot the 30" gun and shot it lights out. Just ask Chuckie B.

Now for the reason I say that. I have a high end 28ga o/u with choke tubes. I started out with .004/.013 and just wasn't happy with the target breaks or the lethality on live birds. I ended up screwing in .014/.026 tubes and it changed the whole complexion of the gun.

Once again this is just my opinion.

Thank you for the reply Daryl. I can agree with much of what you say, especially for many 5-stand targets, sporting clays targets and perhaps pheasants when you're looking for more pellet count with larger shot. But, it's shots taken at skeet, woodcock and grouse where the bulk of your shooting is done at less than 25 yards that may put you at a disadvantage with your theory of being "much better off ballistically with tighter chokes".

Your 28ga. side event that you're planning sounds like a real hoot. Beware of the Parker Repro guys that may be bringing out their set of M/F barrels. You may be wishing your Parkers had a little more choke! (dbl. wink!)

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by

Your 28ga. side event that you're planning sounds like a real hoot. Beware of the Parker Repro guys that may be bringing out their set of M/F barrels. You may be wishing your Parkers had a little more choke! [SIZE="1"

(dbl. wink!)[/SIZE]

Well Greg the gauntlet has been thrown. Unfortunately I can't compete as I'm setting the targets and running the show. But... I will have my protege's there to help you see the error of your reliance on reproduction chokes.

I know this sounds ridiculous to some, but I have made myself able to hard focus on the beak of a bird or the front edge of a target. If you practice some eye exercises you can direct your shot charge exactly where you want it using a tight choke.

Tom, don't change those chokes if you can score with them now. If you handload try working up a light 5/8oz load.

[Kevin McCormack]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

I can't comment on a the reproduction chokes but I learned over many years of shooting 28 gauge guns that you are much better off ballistically with tighter chokes.

Exactly, precisely right!! Also depending on the make and vintage of the gun, certain ones LOVE certain shot sizes. I owned 2 Parker 28 gauges, both early Meriden guns, one 26" and the othere 28". They both loved 7 1/2 shot, "liked" #8s, cared less for #9s and hated anything larger than #7s.

A Parker Repro 28 I owned for a while choked SK1 & SK2 didn't particularly "like" any conventional sized shot but would pattern #10 shot handloads I "put up" for railbirds like broadcasting tobacco seeds. An absolutely lovely little R15 Darne 28 gauge I shot for a while with 25" barrels was so deadly using #8s I was invited to "not bring it" on several game farm quail hunts; the same gun would homogenize skeet targets from any station with standard #9 loads.

Now I'm down to one Belgian Browning Superposed 28" Pigeon Grade 28 bored M&F, one 28" Citori 28 with Invector chokes, and one AH Parker 26" 28 (It's a 16 ga. 0 frame Briley full-length tubed to 28 ga with their choke tubes because the Damascus barrels are so rotten inside they're unsafe to shoot). Decisions, decisions........