Anything but a bore

THE 28-BORE is enjoying something of a renaissance.

- Michael Yardley

Once deemed only for young shots and lady guns, it now has a growing band of enthusiasts of all ages and sexes. Effective for clays and game at sensible ranges, it is also great fun to use. Indeed, I know of no other bore size that brings a smile to users' faces quite so readily. The 28-bore has another quality much in its favour: used well it can bring back real sport into less challenging situations. It makes the ordinary interesting.

For two seasons I rarely felt under-gunned when I shot a 28-bore (a 30in Beretta EELL) exclusively on driven game, and I have used one in the US for plantation quail, where it may be considered a near-ideal sporting weapon. Some shoots closer to home may be sceptical of 28-bores unless the user can prove competence with driven quarry, so you must make sure you can handle it first (both clays and woodpigeon might feature in pre-driven-day prep).

Although 28-bores might not be the popular choice for driven game in Britain, some sportsmen have employed them to exceptional effect. Sir Joseph Nickerson immediately comes to mind with his trio of 26in-barrelled, 5lb 5¾oz, ribless Purdey over-and-under 28-bores (choked ½ and 7/8, 7/8 and ½ and full and full). In A Shooting Man's Creed (1989), he noted: 'I am now down to 28-bore guns for all types of shooting and am killing birds as difficult and as far away as I ever did with a 12-bore.' Encouraging stuff, yet less experienced shots should not be tempted to shoot beyond sensible limits. A well-choked 28 – I favour ¼ and ½ or ¼ and ¾ (assuming lead shot) – will kill birds at 40 yards but one should not attempt to reach out too far.