Browning Elite 28 gauge.

Small gauge guns have been around for pretty much as long as we have had shotguns. For each gauge there is usually a good reason.

At one time the best gun makers would build you a gun in any gauge that you could imagine, and produce the ammunition to use in it. This was obviously for only the wealthiest shooters. Even in those early days there were preferred calibres that have become the favourites that we know today.

The most common calibres or gauges being 12, 16, 20, 28 and .410. Of these 12 is certainly the most popular and 28 probably the least. Although that may be in part due to the fact that there are relatively few guns of this gauge around. Makers in the mass production market have tended to shy away from the slightly more obscure. In fact it may be more accurate to say that the guns have been made, but the distributors have tended to stay away from them, being a little unsure of the relatively untested market. But over the last 15 years or so, 20 gauge guns have become ever increasingly popular, particularly with game shooters. In most instances shooters are pleasantly surprised how smaller gauge guns will perform. In nearly all cases they will out perform expectation. This realisation is now starting to filter through all the gauges, as shooters become aware that these guns will achieve what is reasonably asked of them.

Perhaps the biggest step yet to be made by most of the mass-market producers is to produce a 28-gauge gun on a dedicated 28-gauge action. The 20 and 28 are fairly close for size in terms of bore diameter: 0.615 0r 15.6mm for 20 gauges, and 0.550 or 14.00mm for the 28. As gunmakers make far more 20 bore guns than 28, it is a simple case of economics that dictates that it would not be cost effective to tool up to make dedicated 28 gauge actions and everything that goes with that such as internal workings and so on. Instead it is much easier and cheaper to use 20 gauge actions and make barrels of 28 gauges to fit those actions. The one drawback to this is the extra weight, but one of the reasons for having a 28-gauge gun is to keep the weight as low as possible.

Browning’s Elite 28 is one of those built on a 20-gauge action but its build does ensure that it points and shoots with all the flare that one would expect from this maker.

It has a weight of just over 6 ½ lb. Heavy you might say for a 28, but the handling does go a long way to disguise it. And if weight is your priority, then Browning has answered it by also producing this gun in a light version with an alloy action. That weighs in at around 5 ¾ lb.

The woodwork has been scaled to help keep the gun’s appearance as easy on the eye as possible. On the 12 and 20 bore, the length of pull is 375mm, but with the Elite 28 this has been reduced to 362mm. The drop at heel has also been reduced from 56mm to 63mm to account for the fact that being slightly shorter will have the effect of making the gun shoot higher.

The stock is finished with a thin polymer butt plate, so extra length can easily be achieved with the addition of a pad or similar. Wood quality is good and matches the forend for colour very well. Then again, this gun is pitched for price somewhere between grades 1 and 3.

The shape of both the stock and forend I particularly like. The stock has a rounded pistol grip, more often seen on game guns. It is easy to grip securely and allow the gun to be pointed accurately. The forend is rounded through its entire length, and so is easy to grip and keep hold of. Also being rounded it has a constant feel wherever it is gripped. The chequer pattern is traditional, with the pattern finishing in points that add to the gun’s looks. The wood is finished with an oil finish, which is classic for looks, and easy to maintain. The wood to metal is very good, but then we would expect nothing less on a gun of this type.

Mechanically the action is the same used in all the other Browning small gauge guns. So it has a proven track record in all respects. Where the gun differs slightly is that the engraving pattern is new for the smaller gauge guns. It isn’t a full covering, but does have a very pleasing effect. It is, essentially, a bordering of scroll work. The action is finished in a pewter grey, which contrasts nicely with the silver furniture that makes up the other metalwork on the gun other than the barrels-obviously black, and gold trigger.

The barrels on this gun are 28”, though 30” are also available. Chambers are 70mm, and this should suffice for almost all 28 gauge cartridges; I can’t ever remember seeing 3” 28 gauge cartridges, though someone must have made some.

The elite has fixed chokes of ¼ and ¾. This will almost certainly cover most eventualities. And will suit for the occasional clay should you feel up to it. The top rib is ventilated and is 6mm wide. It has a slight raised ramp at the breech end and is finished with a small silver sight.

Overall, this is not probably going to be your sole gun, but used on days when you feel like a change. So if you are looking for something different then it is a gun worthy of serious consideration. And as 28 gauge cartridges are becoming more easily available, and affordable, there is no reason why these guns should not become far more popular.

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