Federal Game-Shok High Brass 28 Gauge Ammunition: The Upland Hunter's Trusted Companion

For generations of outdoor enthusiasts, the pursuit of upland game represents a cherished tradition—a blend of skill, patience, and the thrill of the chase. Whether you're navigating dense cover for a wily pheasant, navigating open fields for swift quail, or traversing challenging terrain for elusive grouse, success often hinges on the reliability of your equipment. In this demanding environment, your choice of ammunition is paramount. The Federal H28975 Game-Shok High Brass 28 Gauge shotgun shells are meticulously engineered to deliver the consistent, effective performance that upland hunters demand, making them an indispensable asset for any hunting expedition. Available at DEGuns, these shells embody Federal's commitment to quality and effectiveness for a wide range of feathered and furred game.

Why Choose 28 Gauge for Upland Hunting?

The 28 gauge shotgun, often lauded as the "gentleman's gauge," has experienced a resurgence in popularity, and for good reason. It strikes an ideal balance between firepower and manageability, offering significant advantages for the discerning upland hunter.

• Lighter Recoil: Compared to larger gauges like the 12 or 20, the 28 gauge delivers noticeably less recoil. This allows for quicker follow-up shots, reduces shooter fatigue during long days in the field, and makes for a more enjoyable shooting experience overall, especially for younger hunters or those sensitive to recoil.
• Nimble Firearms: Shotguns chambered in 28 gauge are typically lighter and more compact, enhancing maneuverability in dense brush, through tight treelines, and across varied terrain. This agility is crucial when quick reflexes are required to shoulder the gun and track fast-flushing birds.
• Effective Patterns: Despite its smaller bore, the 28 gauge is renowned for throwing exceptionally dense and consistent shot patterns, particularly with a 1-ounce payload like that found in the Federal Game-Shok shells. A well-patterned shotgun ensures that more pellets reach the target, increasing the likelihood of clean, ethical takedowns.

The Federal Game-Shok High Brass 28 Gauge capitalizes on these inherent benefits of the 28 gauge platform, optimizing them for maximum effectiveness in real-world hunting scenarios.

Understanding the "High Brass" Advantage in Federal Game-Shok

The distinctive high brass head on these Federal Game-Shok shells isn't merely an aesthetic choice; it's a fundamental design feature engineered for robust performance and enhanced reliability in the field. This extended brass base provides superior structural integrity to the shell, particularly crucial during firing and extraction. For hunters, this translates into a more consistent chambering and ejection cycle, reducing the likelihood of jams or misfeeds when seconds count during a covey rise or a flush.

• Enhanced Structural Integrity: The taller brass base reinforces the shotshell, allowing it to better withstand the pressures generated upon ignition. This contributes to consistent powder burn and uniform muzzle velocities, critical for predictable shot performance.
• Reliable Cycling: The durable brass head ensures smooth feeding and extraction in various shotgun actions, from pump-actions to over-and-unders and semi-automatics, even in challenging environmental conditions like dust or moisture.
• Consistent Performance: The sturdy construction supports the consistent seating of the primer and the precise crimping of the shell, leading to more uniform shot patterns and reliable energy transfer downrange.

Optimized Shot Specifications for Upland Game

The Federal Game-Shok H28975 comes loaded with 1 ounce of 7.5 shot, propelled at a muzzle velocity of 1220 feet per second (fps). These specifications are not arbitrary; they are carefully selected to provide optimal performance for a wide array of upland species.

• Shot Size (7.5 Shot): This is a highly versatile and popular shot size for many upland birds.
  • Pheasant: While some hunters might opt for 6 shot, 7.5 shot offers a denser pattern, which can be advantageous for the notoriously tough feathers of a pheasant at closer to medium ranges. The 1-ounce payload ensures sufficient pellet count for a lethal pattern.
  • Quail and Dove: For smaller, faster-flying birds like quail and dove, 7.5 shot is absolutely ideal. Its higher pellet count per ounce increases the chances of hitting these diminutive targets, while still delivering ample energy for a clean kill.
  • Grouse and Partridge: Excellent for these forest-dwelling birds, providing the pattern density needed to penetrate feathers without excessive over-penetration.
  • Small Game: Equally effective for certain small game animals like rabbits and squirrels, where a dense pattern and moderate penetration are desired.
• Payload (1 oz): A 1-ounce payload in a 28 gauge shell is considered a potent load, maximizing the pellet count while maintaining the inherent low-recoil characteristics of the gauge. This balance is key to putting more pellets on target without the heavy kick of larger loads.
• Muzzle Velocity (1220 fps): This velocity strikes an excellent balance, providing sufficient speed for effective range and energy delivery without causing excessive recoil. A consistent velocity is vital for predictable shot placement and effective knockdown power, ensuring that birds are hit cleanly and ethically.

Real-World Applications and Hunter Scenarios

How does the Federal Game-Shok High Brass 28 Gauge perform in the field? Let's consider a few common hunting questions and scenarios:

• "What's the best 28 gauge ammo for pheasant hunting?" For many pheasant hunters, the Federal H28975 with its 1 oz. of 7.5 shot offers an excellent blend of pattern density and knockdown power for birds flushed within typical shotgun range. The high brass ensures reliable cycling even in challenging conditions often encountered during pheasant season.
• "Is 28 gauge effective for fast-flying quail or dove?" Absolutely. The 28 gauge, especially with a 7.5 shot load like the Game-Shok, excels at targeting swift birds. The lower recoil allows for faster follow-up shots, crucial when a covey explodes. The dense pattern from the 1 oz. load maximizes your chances of connecting with these agile targets.
• "I'm looking for versatile upland shells for various game types. Will this work?" The Federal Game-Shok High Brass 28 Gauge is specifically designed for versatility. Its 7.5 shot size and 1 oz. payload make it suitable for a broad spectrum of upland birds—from pheasants and grouse to quail, dove, and chukar. Its consistent performance means you can confidently pursue different species without needing to switch ammunition types.
• "How can I ensure clean kills with my 28 gauge?" Beyond choosing quality ammunition like Federal Game-Shok, patterning your shotgun is crucial. Test different choke tubes with these shells to find the combination that yields the most consistent and dense patterns at your typical hunting distances. The predictable performance of Federal Game-Shok allows for more accurate patterning and, consequently, more ethical harvests.

The Federal Difference: Quality and Trust

Federal Premium Ammunition has been a cornerstone of the shooting sports industry for a century, earning a reputation for innovation, quality, and consistent performance. The Game-Shok line, in particular, is designed to meet the rigorous demands of hunters who rely on their ammunition to perform flawlessly, shot after shot.

• Crafted for Consistency: Each Federal Game-Shok shell is manufactured to exacting standards, ensuring consistent primer ignition, uniform powder charges, and precisely formed shot. This attention to detail translates directly into reliable ballistics and predictable patterns in the field.
• Proven Performance: Hunters worldwide trust Federal ammunition for its proven effectiveness. The Game-Shok High Brass series has a long track record of delivering clean, decisive kills on various game, cementing its place as a go-to choice for upland pursuits.
• Wide Availability: As a popular and reliable choice, Federal Game-Shok H28975 is readily available at reputable sporting goods retailers like DEGuns, ensuring you can stock up for your hunting season with ease.

Components of a Superior Shotshell

While the overall performance is paramount, understanding the individual components of the Federal Game-Shok High Brass shell further illuminates its quality:

• Primer: Federal utilizes reliable, non-corrosive primers that provide consistent ignition even in cold or damp conditions, ensuring that your shell fires when you pull the trigger.
• Powder: The clean-burning propellants are carefully selected to provide the optimal balance of velocity and manageable pressure, contributing to consistent muzzle velocities and minimal barrel fouling.
• Wad: The wad column plays a critical role in protecting the shot, sealing gases behind the shot charge, and ensuring a uniform shot pattern upon exiting the barrel. Federal's wads are designed for effective pattern density.
• Lead Shot: The 7.5 shot is made from high-quality lead, ensuring excellent spherical consistency. This roundness is vital for tight patterns and ballistic efficiency, allowing the pellets to fly true to the target. It's important to be aware of local regulations regarding the use of lead shot for hunting.

Ensuring Optimal Performance: Tips for Hunters

To maximize the effectiveness of your Federal Game-Shok High Brass 28 Gauge ammunition, consider these practical tips:

1. Pattern Your Shotgun: Before heading to the field, take the time to pattern your shotgun with these specific shells and the chokes you intend to use. This will show you exactly how your shotgun performs with this ammunition at various distances, allowing you to understand your effective range.
2. Match Choke to Game/Distance: For general upland hunting, a modified or improved cylinder choke is often a versatile choice. For closer flushes (e.g., quail), a more open choke might be preferred, while a tighter choke could be beneficial for longer shots on larger birds like pheasants.
3. Proper Storage: Store your ammunition in a cool, dry place away from extreme temperatures and humidity. This helps maintain the integrity of the components and ensures consistent performance when you need it.
4. Practice Makes Perfect: Regular practice, whether at the skeet range or simply mounting and swinging your shotgun, will improve your instincts and accuracy, allowing you to fully leverage the capabilities of your Federal Game-Shok ammunition.

Conclusion: A Must-Have for Upland Enthusiasts

The Federal H28975 Game-Shok High Brass 28 Gauge shotgun shells stand out as an exceptional choice for upland hunters who demand reliability, performance, and versatility. With its high brass construction, precisely chosen 1 oz. of 7.5 lead shot, and a consistent muzzle velocity of 1220 fps, this ammunition is engineered to provide decisive results on a wide array of upland game, from fast-flushing quail to hardy pheasants. Federal's century-long legacy of quality ensures that when you load your shotgun with Game-Shok, you're loading with confidence. For a consistent, effective, and enjoyable hunting experience, these shells are a clear frontrunner, readily available through trusted suppliers like DEGuns. Invest in the proven performance of Federal Game-Shok High Brass and elevate your next upland adventure.

Federal Game-Shok High Brass 28 Gauge Specifications (UPC: 604544617337)

Attribute	Detail	Notes
Brand	Federal	A leading name in ammunition for over a century.
Series	High Brass	Enhanced structural integrity for reliable performance.
Model	Game-Shok	Optimized for upland game and small game hunting.
Gauge	28 Gauge	Ideal for lighter recoil and nimble shotguns.
Shot Material	Lead	Traditional and effective for upland hunting (where legal).
Shot Size	7.5	Versatile for a wide range of small to medium birds.
Rounds Per Box	25	Standard packaging for convenience.
Muzzle Velocity	1220 fps	Consistent speed for effective range and energy transfer.
Game Type	Upland	Perfect for pheasant, quail, grouse, dove, and more.
Length	2.75"	Standard shell length for 28 gauge shotguns.
Application	Hunting	Designed specifically for field use.
Ounces	1 oz	Generous payload for dense, effective patterns.
Boxes Per Case	10	Bulk packaging option (total 250 rounds).
SKU / MPN	H28975	Manufacturer's product identifier.
UPC	604544617337	Universal Product Code for easy identification.