7.5s for chukar and close pheasant is enough. I used to shoot no smaller than 6s on pheasants but that was when there was no dog along. You might be tempted to use the 1oz loads, but that can be a bit much for a 28 to pattern well so check them out on some pattern paper first. The 3/4oz loads available from Federal are plated, so if you get a pattern with them you are happy with that would be a sufficient load.

 

I agree with Pumper. 7 1/2 shot should be adequate for most upland situations with your 28 ga.

 

pcpacker,
May I suggest, if you are going to use #7.5 shot that you use high antimony shot. The harder shot will probably pattern better for you.

Another thing to remember with the smaller gauges SPEED KILLS.

 

pcpacker,
I too am new at the 28 ga. game and only have pen raised chukar to hunt where I live, but I have had great luck with the Win AA Sporting Clays load, 1300 fps 7 1/2 shot in 28 ga. As JLP said, good velocity and hard shot as well as cheaper than the 1 oz "game" loads at least around here.
Hope this helps,
Steve

 

I agree on 7 1/2 in the 28 gauge. I have used that shot size to take game farm chukars and pheasant as well as wild quail.

100STR8

 

7 1/2's are fine for chuckar. But I would use 6's for pheasant.

Scott

 

#7 is a nice compromise for game from small gauge guns. #6 seems to thin out the pattern to much and 7 1/2 doesn't seem to pack quite the punch.

 

Wow, is this another thread from people that are spending more time thinking about hunting then actually hunting or what. LOL The copper plated 7.5 loads from Federal work great on pheasants. Probably if you're worried about using 7.5s on pheasants then you really shouldn't be using a 28ga on them. The only time I use a 28ga on them is when we are really looking for quail and just happen to get a rooster up close.

 

A guy at the club in here got the states' second biggest swan in history with his bps 28 gauge this year. A rooster pheasant is the biggest bird I plan on hunting with my 28, but I hope to do it often.

 

I load 3/4 oz. of copper plated 7.5 @ 1300 fsp for all my bird hunting with the 28 gauge. I hunt mainly quail but we get up a big bird sometimes. I have killed them DEAD at 35 yards with that load. I biggest factor is the shooter! I shoot lots of skeet and sporting clays. I can aim at and hit them in the head.