Weatherby Adding 28-Gauge SA-08 to 2013 Catalog

Weatherby is expanding on their line of semi-automatic SA-08 shotguns with new 28-gauge offerings for 2013. These lightweight shotguns sport the glossy fit and finish shooters have come to expect from the SA-08 series with the reduced recoil for all-day shooting.

These models, one with a 26-inch barrel and the other with a 28-inch barrel, are for the serious bird hunter and clay buster, and are not just youth models. Both have standard furniture with 14-3/8-inch lengths of pull.

Plus, with ammo supplies being what they are, the benefits of having a 28-gauge shotgun are clear: when you can’t find 12- or 20-gauge shells, nobody’s calling 28 a misfit gauge.

“Like all SA-08 semi-auto shotguns, our 28 Gauge Deluxe can be relied on to function and perform well in the field,” said Mike Schwiebert, Weatherby’s director of marketing. “Recoil is negligible, making it a great choice for the fast action of high-volume dove shooting, as well as quail and other upland game birds. It is precisely balanced, and feels trim and lightweight—a real pleasure to shoot.”

These new SA-08s weigh in at just 5.5 pounds; light enough to shoulder for hours on end.

They both have the same MSRP at $850, although we do expect the list price to be a good deal lower. Still, they have all the features and them some you’d expect for a serious shotgun.

Built on a CNC-machined aircraft aluminum-alloy receiver, these 28-gauge shotguns sport high-gloss select-grade walnut stocks and forends with 22 line-per-inch checkering and a matching high-gloss deep blue finish on the barrel and glossy black finish on the receiver. The barrel is vented and has a traditional front sight bead. Finally, the forcing cone is extended, ensuring less pellet deformation and better, more predictable patterning.

The bolt assembly is chrome-plated hardened steel and the barrel is likewise chrome-plated for weather, wear and carbon-fouling resistance. Also, the trigger pack drops out for easy access and maintenance.

They’re threaded for chokes and Weatherby includes three, improved cylinder, modified and full. To ensure that the shotgun will cycle any loads you feed it, these SA-08s come with two drop-in gas valves, one for light and the other for heavy loads.

If you’re looking for a serious squab-getter, something utilitarian but with a touch of class, check out the 28-gauge SA-08 product page. You can get your social networking on with Weatherby, too, via Weatherby Nation and Facebook.