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Post by span870 on Sept 11, 2015 14:28:41 GMT -5
Was looking at two 28ga for bunnies yesterday. One was a Stevens 555. Man that thing was light but would need some modifying to fit right. The other was a franchi al48 I believe. Nice gun just quite a bit heavier than the Stevens. Anyone have any inputs on either of these guns?
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28ga
Sept 11, 2015 19:55:55 GMT -5
Post by esshup on Sept 11, 2015 19:55:55 GMT -5
I have the Franchi in 20 ga. At 5 pounds, 4 ounces, how much lighter do you want it? It being a semi-auto, based on John Brownings design, recoil is minimal, but weird as the barrel slides into the receiver.
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28ga
Sept 11, 2015 21:29:47 GMT -5
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Post by span870 on Sept 11, 2015 21:29:47 GMT -5
How do you like it? Any issues? If really like it to weigh what the Stevens did. I swear that thing couldn't have weighed but 4 pounds.
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28ga
Sept 11, 2015 21:44:23 GMT -5
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Post by nfalls116 on Sept 11, 2015 21:44:23 GMT -5
How do you like it? Any issues? If really like it to weigh what the Stevens did. I swear that thing couldn't have weighed but 4 pounds. Remember, it is inertia driven so it is a kicker. I had a franchie 12 and loved it. And will get another one. Not everyone likes the recoil on them but I thought it was a fair trade over carrying a heavy gun around all day
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Post by esshup on Sept 11, 2015 22:41:10 GMT -5
I used to hunt California and Gambel's Quail is the deserts of Ca and Az, and I bought it specifically for that. Lots of walking and little shooting, and what shooting there was, it was fast. The light gun swung VERY fast, and after shooting my O/U at clay birds, I'd tend to overswing.
I still have it and don't plan on getting rid of it. The lighter the gun the heavier the recoil, so I thought the action would mitigate some of the recoil, which it did.
Unless you plan on reloading, I'd pick a 20 ga vs. a 28 just because of the cost of the shells.
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 4:06:16 GMT -5
Post by drs on Sept 12, 2015 4:06:16 GMT -5
For a while, I have owned a couple of shotguns in 28 gauge. One a single barrel Winchester, the other a Remington Model 1100, which I had a poly choke installed. Both were okay, but I think only a bit more potent then a 3" .410 as the 28 gauge is able to hold 1 oz. of shot but usually it only comes with 3/4 oz load, while the .410-3" holds 11/16 oz of shot. What's odd is the .410-3" USE to have 3/4 oz. shot load, when their shells were made of cardboard. Sold both 28 gauges and bought a 20 gauge as I found it more useful and 20 gauge are easier to find.
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 5:23:32 GMT -5
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Post by span870 on Sept 12, 2015 5:23:32 GMT -5
It's one of those want vs. need guns. I have three 20's and a .410 already. All it'll be is for rabbits and I don't really care to shoot a bunch of them. If I'd get it I'd probably get a case of 6 shot right off the bat and that'll last me 20 years. I carried dad's .410 o/u a couple of times last year. Did some research on it a couple of days ago and if I'd known what that darn thing was worth, I'd of never taken it in the bunny brush. Thought about another .410 but when I want to shoot a rabbit, I want to shoot a rabbit. I figure I'm a fair shot and a .410 is a bit out of my league. Plus you have no idea where the bunny is going to cross and them poor dogs keep giving me looks when it crosses at 30+ yards like when are you going to shoot. Another plus on the 28 is I'm trying to kill a turkey in Indiana with every legal weapon and that's the next step. I have 16 and 28 left. I carried my 20 ga 11/87 quite a bit last year and it is just too much gun, in my opinion, for close passing bunnies. Even with 6 shot ic, it did a number on them. Plus just pulling a 28 out of the case after you drop the dogs adds a coolness factor and one can't just disregard the coolness factor when hunting. A .410 that I don't mind beating and banging up is on the to do list also but wanting the 28 first. Not sure the recoil is going to be an issue in the 28 either way.
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 6:20:54 GMT -5
Post by drs on Sept 12, 2015 6:20:54 GMT -5
It's one of those want vs. need guns. I have three 20's and a .410 already. All it'll be is for rabbits and I don't really care to shoot a bunch of them. If I'd get it I'd probably get a case of 6 shot right off the bat and that'll last me 20 years. I carried dad's .410 o/u a couple of times last year. Did some research on it a couple of days ago and if I'd known what that darn thing was worth, I'd of never taken it in the bunny brush. Thought about another .410 but when I want to shoot a rabbit, I want to shoot a rabbit. I figure I'm a fair shot and a .410 is a bit out of my league. Plus you have no idea where the bunny is going to cross and them poor dogs keep giving me looks when it crosses at 30+ yards like when are you going to shoot. Another plus on the 28 is I'm trying to kill a turkey in Indiana with every legal weapon and that's the next step. I have 16 and 28 left. I carried my 20 ga 11/87 quite a bit last year and it is just too much gun, in my opinion, for close passing bunnies. Even with 6 shot ic, it did a number on them. Plus just pulling a 28 out of the case after you drop the dogs adds a coolness factor and one can't just disregard the coolness factor when hunting. A .410 that I don't mind beating and banging up is on the to do list also but wanting the 28 first. Not sure the recoil is going to be an issue in the 28 either way. Yes indeed! You sound about like me, when it comes to a certain cartridge, that if I really want it which I'll buy it, just to have one in my collection. I've owned, at one time or another, every gauge except the 10 gauge. Of all the gauges I like either the 12 or 20 gauge, however I have a soft spot for the .410-3" as that was my first shotgun, a Savage Model "B" double barrel Full & Full choke. Still have a Stoeger "Up-Lander" Double barrel, and also and old Model 58 H&R Single Barrel which I bought back in 1969. On the 28 gauge shotgun I've owned, it seems like I couldn't do any good with it bagging Squirrels or Rabbits as with my .410. The only shot sizes I could find for the 28, at that time (Mid-1970's), was either 4, 6, or 7.5 shot 3/4 oz loads. At that time you had a choice between cardboard or plastic shells, as with the .410-3"
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 6:31:12 GMT -5
Post by featherduster on Sept 12, 2015 6:31:12 GMT -5
Where do you find ammo for that gun other than a catalog?
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 6:50:38 GMT -5
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Post by greghopper on Sept 12, 2015 6:50:38 GMT -5
Where do you find ammo for that gun other than a catalog? Exactly....... Was thinking the same!!!
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 14:46:39 GMT -5
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Post by span870 on Sept 12, 2015 14:46:39 GMT -5
Ammo for the 28ga.? Gander has it, Dunham's, bass pro, cabelas. Heck my local Walmart has it. Not that hard to find, at least for me, just not cheap. I'm lucky to go through a box of shells a year so it's really a non issue to me.
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 14:55:38 GMT -5
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Post by nfalls116 on Sept 12, 2015 14:55:38 GMT -5
Ammo for the 28ga.? Gander has it, Dunham's, bass pro, cabelas. Heck my local Walmart has it. Not that hard to find, at least for me, just not cheap. I'm lucky to go through a box of shells a year so it's really a non issue to me. buy the franchi! Or whatever feels right you are gonna be the one totting it around
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 15:58:20 GMT -5
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nfalls116 likes this
Post by span870 on Sept 12, 2015 15:58:20 GMT -5
That's the problem. The franchi fits like a glove. Throw it up and it's an extension of me, but... The Stevens weighs nothing. Problem is it has a bad cant to the left. Now I could have it modified but is it worth it on a $600 gun. Then you have the franchi but to me its just not a nice looking gun. It has to me a look like similar to the old a5. Note this will anger some but I think that is over of the most good awful ugly guns ever made. What other options are out there in 28? I suppose if it comes down to it, it'll end up the franchi. Have briley cut the barrel down and rechoke it and I'll be good to go.
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 18:37:41 GMT -5
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Post by dbd870 on Sept 12, 2015 18:37:41 GMT -5
Yeah, I never cared for the looks of them either
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 19:54:38 GMT -5
Post by esshup on Sept 12, 2015 19:54:38 GMT -5
Doesn't the Franchi come with screw in choke tubes? My 20 ga has them.
I checked their website, yes, they come with choke tubes.
According to the published data from the manufacturers, the Franchi is actually 0.1 pound lighter than the Stevens. Both have the same length barrels, but I'll bet the Franchi feels heavier because it's a semi-auto and it has a bit more weight in the front due to the receiver pushing the barrel out further.
As for recoil, you will feel less with the Franchi due to the semi-auto action vs the O/U of the Stevens.
Overall length: Franchi 48" Stevens 42 7/8"
Both have 26" barrels.
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 20:25:20 GMT -5
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Post by span870 on Sept 12, 2015 20:25:20 GMT -5
Doesn't the Franchi come with screw in choke tubes? My 20 ga has them. I checked their website, yes, they come with choke tubes. According to the published data from the manufacturers, the Franchi is actually 0.1 pound lighter than the Stevens. Both have the same length barrels, but I'll bet the Franchi feels heavier because it's a semi-auto and it has a bit more weight in the front due to the receiver pushing the barrel out further. As for recoil, you will feel less with the Franchi due to the semi-auto action vs the O/U of the Stevens. Overall length: Franchi 48" Stevens 42 7/8" Both have 26" barrels. Ahh. That would make alot of sense. Stevens did seem more balanced feel to it. Yeah it had the 26" barrel which would be sent in and cut down as soon as I bought it. I'll shop around a bit more and see what I can find but I'm leaning towards the franchi. Did some research and seem to be a decent gun for what it is.
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 22:16:33 GMT -5
Post by HighCotton on Sept 12, 2015 22:16:33 GMT -5
Have you considered a side by side? On light game, grouse and woodcock, I absolutely love my Marlin LC Smith.
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28ga
Sept 12, 2015 22:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by span870 on Sept 12, 2015 22:33:09 GMT -5
Have considered but not a big fan of them. I started my rabbit hunting career with an old fox 16ga. Just didn't like the way it handled. I'm pretty well stuck on the 28. I'd assume it would be pretty hard to find one that fits me well let alone in the 28.
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28ga
Sept 13, 2015 5:15:35 GMT -5
Post by esshup on Sept 13, 2015 5:15:35 GMT -5
Why cut the barrel down? With the full length vent rib on it, you might be looking at a complete rib replacement and re-blueing too.
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28ga
Sept 13, 2015 7:06:13 GMT -5
Post by HighCotton on Sept 13, 2015 7:06:13 GMT -5
Well span... Here goes. Gonna give you my strong opinion. Go with the Franchi and don't look back! A little method to my madness here...the reason I suggest a SxS is to get your response. The fact your'e not interested tells me you're not quite as interested in the "cool" factor. But then, I think that al 48 is a very cool gun, especially in 28 gauge. Believe me, you'll get the cool factor as you ease that baby out of the case! A few other points. After guiding for years, I can't ever remember one of my gunners having issues with a Franchi. I can tell you that some of the Stevens did have a few issues. Mainly, they failed to fire the second barrel. I don't recall the model and there may be a lot of reasons for the failure. I will also say it's not enough of a problem that would ever keep me from buyin a Stevens. Now, you also want to bust a turkey?! That alone would break my decision down to a no brainier. Go Franchi. As far as the weight. Hey, it's a 28ga! Unless you're gonna walk that baby over rough terrain or thick mountain briars all day long, you won't know the difference. Ammo? Don't worry. You'll find that easy enough. And as you say you won't need much. And heck, worse comes to worse, PM me and I'll hook you up with a box! Now back to the coolness factor. Once you bust the first clay or pop that first bunny, I'll betcha the coolness factor of that Franchi goes way up on yer meter. Well, I'm done preach in' for now!
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