Nice video, you know I love this stuff! You're putting out some great stuff!

Great video. Dave in AZ posts very useful info for sub gauge non-toxic loads. I shoot 20 gauge but the patterns you can get out of a 28 have me wanting to scale down. Thanks for the loading info and data. Keep up the good work and keep the steel load videos coming 👍

Thanks for sharing your load and pattern notes. It’s good to see and hear reports on some 28ga loads. I work with the 10ga primarily when it comes to load development, but do have plans to jump into loading for the 28 sooner than later. Videos like this are certainly a great resource for reference data and points of consideration. In regards to the 28ga 3” Magnum and your comments on velocity needs and where you see loadings for the chamber length may go, I believe there is some discrepancy in evaluating it’s niche and purpose for American fowlers versus what it was created for. When Benelli and Fiocchi originally teamed up to create the 3” 28ga Mag and debut it in the Ethos 28, (my understanding is) they did it to place a true 1oz lead payload in the bore and maintain the same velocities as a 3/4oz load in a 2-3/4” hull. So, it is a true shotshell magnum; not a velocity booster alone, but a shot charge booster. The benefits of increased shot charge for any other shot type carries of course, but it’s original purpose was to effectively boost the pellet counts into the range of a 20 gauge while maintaining all of the lovely qualities the petite 28ga frame offers. No different than “magnum-izing” any other bore diameter’s chamber. American fowlers have been sold on velocity for ages as it matches the sale point of centerfire rifle and pistol cartridges. Faster = Better… or at least that’s what they sell us. I see this pondering almost anytime a magnum shotshell loading is discussed, “How fast can we push it?” or “Why don’t they push the magnum faster?” The truth is, in shotshells and wingshooting, velocity does not equal increased terminal effect (within reason). Ultimately, regardless of shot type, there is little benefit and measurable diminishing returns to increasing shot shell velocities. The ballistics of a sphere dictate that for every increase in diameter and velocity, both experience an exponential increase in drag. Pushing shot faster than the “ideal” 1,300 to 1,400 FPS window provides little ballistic advantage past 25 yards, while incurring a disadvantage in additional recoil and components expended as the pellets have decelerated to the same velocities, or close to, those that leave the muzzle 100 to 150 FPS slower. As your pattern comparisons demonstrate at the what would be the effective range of the shot size and type, there is little difference between the pattern percentages with the two shot charges at the same or close velocities. The only advantage of the magnum load is increased pellet count. The trouble and challenge with this in the 3” 28ga hull is its relatively marginal increase in volume over the 2-3/4” hull when compared to the same in larger bores. With almost any shot type, there is little efficacy in charging a 28 bore with larger than No. 3 shot size. For steel shot especially the ballistic advantage in going from No.4 to No. 3, as you are correct in noting, gives you maybe 5 additional yards of effective range. In that steel shot scenario, the additional 1/8oz payload and pellet count may not be enough to increase its efficacy over the 5/8oz charge that can be placed in the 2-3/4” hull and wad cup as the pellet count has not drastically increased. With smaller shot however, that pellet count will increase to a greater degree, and may “fill-out” a more open pattern for closer range work and become the magnum load’s primary justification/use. When you apply this same line of thought to denser shot types it still works. The Boss Bismuth offerings are a prime example of how to utilize the magnum hull, or make a load that doesn’t do much more but expend greater amounts of components. There is little point in shooting 1-1/16oz of No. 4 Bis over 7/8oz No. 4 Bis, both being at 1,350 FPS muzzle velocities when the patterns will be the same and the additional pellets in that 3/16oz won’t really be distinguished on game, baring individual gun and choke patterning characteristics. However, when you drop to a No. 5, 6, or 7 pellet you see a substantial increase in pellet count, useful for filling in open patterns for tight quarters use. Likewise, in a No. 3 shot size, you need the additional space of the 3” hull to squeak in a full 1oz charge whereas in a 2-3/4” hull you won’t quite get 7/8oz, so it in a way makes sense to offer only the 3” 1oz loading commercially. But for a hand loader, that 7/8oz No. 3 load is completely possible in a 2-3/4” hull/wad and still achieve 1,300 FPS. The utility of the 3” hull for a hand-loader would then fall to a complete 1 or perhaps even 1-1/8oz charge of No. 2 bismuth for a 28ga “goose load” and maintain the proper velocities. But now you are entering a realm where the pellet count is borderline too light to effectively utilize the increased range of the larger pellets. Once you go above 10g/cc density shot, there is little need for the 3” hull. You note this and you are dead on with that assessment. The fact that companies like Hevi-Shot place 1oz of 12g/cc shot in a 3” hull with a bunch of flax seed spacer is a crock, and really makes no difference other than price for the consumer. Those shot types do just fine with the same wadding styles in a 2-3/4” 28ga hull at the “ideal” velocity range of 1,300-1,400 FPS. Really, you can even bump payloads higher in the “short” shells and give up some velocity as the smaller, higher density, high efficiency shot will perform exceptionally even down to 1,150 FPS muzzle velocities (specifically the HW 13, TSS15 & TSS18). I believe we will see much more on the 3” 28ga mag spectrum in the coming years, but ultimately I assess it will be best utilized as the domain of moderate velocity non-tox steel shot alternatives and “super-heavy” turkey loads.

So I got a formula from a friend owned a 28 gauge TSS load I have made approximately 500 shells I hunt ducks every day. I started noticing the pattern looked off. I never did shoot the pattern because it came from so many people that I know that said it was unbelievable. I thought my barrel was bent after I shot it at a box on a road trip. I now have a pattern set up on my land and shot my SP three into it. Every pattern hit high left. Took it back to the dealer and they sent it off, I now bought a Cordova shot it first time out of the box and was actually hitting where I was aiming. Then I started shooting all the Mueller jabs and the factory best extended chokes. I am getting all over the board results. I can shoot an improve cylinder and get extremely irregular patterns. I run 2 1/2 fiber cushions 410 bore. it seems to me that there’s something going on with the fiber cushions and the irregular pattern because when I try other shells that I have not made, the pattern is much more consistent. I know that’s not very much information but have you had experience with the fiber cushion, throwing off consistent patterns. Thanks for your help. I have just spent and wasted a ton of money and cannot seem to get consistent data.

All my 28 gauges I have three of them seem to like that light modified

I've shot some outstanding patterns with the comp and choke they seem to like steel shot I don't know why but they just do

I've had real good luck with steel 5/8 Oz sixes with light modified

Load data for the 2 3/4 was tested with #5shot. Was anything changed on this load when you loaded #4shot?

Will you post your load data for the 2 3/4 in Steel load

I think the 3” 28 gauge was primarily a marketing move, kind of like 3.5” 12 gauge. It would be nice to have the options to move the same payload at decreased pressures though. I’m sure people like yourself will find some great applications for the 3”.

26 or 28 inch barrel? Have you shared the load data? If so, where? My next shotgun will be the SBE3 28, great video, thanks. One more question, have done a 7/8 oz. load?

I think the 23/4 mod had a better pattern 3” looked a little blown out

I have the same 28 gauge. Have you noticed this gun shoots a little more of a 50/50 rather then a 70/30 like most Benellis? It’s been a bit of a struggle for me because I’m used to floating the bird.

wish i could find a reamer to make my sxs a 3"

Boss makes bismuth 3” 28 gauge.