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Top 5 Twenty Eight Gauge Upland Birdshot Shells in Canada for 2025 - Lightweight, Low-Recoil Upland Loads

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Twenty eight gauge upland birdshot shells are lightweight, fast-handling loads engineered for quick pointing, minimal recoil, and tight patterns at close to mid-range shots. These loads are commonly loaded in #7.5 to #9 shot sizes and increasingly offered with specialty features such as low flash powders, biodegradable wads, and non-toxic pellets to meet environmental and regulatory preferences. Canadian upland hunters and sport shooters favor 28 gauge because it combines nimble gun handling for woods and cover hunting with sufficient pellet count and velocity for grouse, partridge, and pheasant at typical upland distances. Consumers choose specific loads based on pattern density through commonly used chokes, felt recoil, shot material (steel, tungsten, bismuth, or lead alternatives), and features like reduced muzzle flash or eco-friendly components. Brand reputation, consistent factory patterning, and availability across Canadian provinces also drive purchasing decisions for 2025.

Quick Menu

1. Best Overall Upland Performance

2. Best Pattern Consistency for Upland

3. Best Premium Sporting Upland

4. Best Value Pheasant Load (Upland)

5. Best Non-Lead Upland Steel

1
BEST OVERALL UPLAND PERFORMANCE

Federal Premium Upland Steel 28 Gauge

Federal Premium Upland Steel 28 Gauge

Federal Premium Upland Steel earns a top spot for delivering reliable, non-toxic steel loads tuned for upland bird work with consistent patterns and dependable ignition in field conditions. It represents a strong value proposition compared with the premium brass offerings on this list by balancing performance and price, and it competes favorably with Kent's advanced steel technology on a cost-per-box basis while sacrificing only marginally in pattern density versus the highest-end plated or lead loads.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Reliable patterns

  • Low recoil

  • Reliable patterns

  • Low recoil

Review Summary

88%

"Users report consistent, tight patterns and reliable performance on upland birds with steel shot, while noting slightly reduced range versus lead; overall praised for dependability and hard-hitting pellets. "

  • Wetland-friendly wink

  • Federal Premium construction for consistent pressures and reliable ignition in 28 gauge loads

  • Wetland-friendly wink

  • Federal Premium construction for consistent pressures and reliable ignition in 28 gauge loads

Recreational Enjoyment

Eco-Friendly Living

Skill Development & Mastery

Federal Premium Upland Steel earns a top spot for delivering reliable, non-toxic steel loads tuned for upland bird work with consistent patterns and dependable ignition in field conditions. It represents a strong value proposition compared with the premium brass offerings on this list by balancing performance and price, and it competes favorably with Kent's advanced steel technology on a cost-per-box basis while sacrificing only marginally in pattern density versus the highest-end plated or lead loads.

  • Reliable patterns

  • Low recoil

  • Wetland-friendly wink

  • Federal Premium construction for consistent pressures and reliable ignition in 28 gauge loads

  • Steel shot option tuned for upland game where non-lead is required or preferred

  • Reliable patterns

  • Low recoil

  • Wetland-friendly wink

  • Federal Premium construction for consistent pressures and reliable ignition in 28 gauge loads

  • Steel shot option tuned for upland game where non-lead is required or preferred

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$40-60 CAD

2
BEST PATTERN CONSISTENCY FOR UPLAND

Remington Premier STS Target 28 Gauge

Remington Premier STS Target 28 Gauge

Remington Premier STS Target is a market-leader for shooters who prioritize tight manufacturing tolerances and repeatable shot-to-shot performance, traits that translate well from the trap line to upland shooting. While typically positioned above Winchester on price, its predictable patterns and consistency make it attractive for hunters who also shoot clays, and it often outperforms economy target loads in consistency even if it lacks the specialized steel technologies of Kent or Federal's upland steel series.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Clay-buster precision

  • Clean ignition

  • Clay-buster precision

  • Clean ignition

Review Summary

90%

"Regular users praise its consistent patterns, clean burn and dependable ignition for target and clays; some consider it pricier but worth it for competitive or frequent shooting. "

  • Tournament-ready grin

  • Remington Premier STS smoothwall hulls promote uniform velocity and reduced shot deformation

  • Tournament-ready grin

  • Remington Premier STS smoothwall hulls promote uniform velocity and reduced shot deformation

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Remington Premier STS Target is a market-leader for shooters who prioritize tight manufacturing tolerances and repeatable shot-to-shot performance, traits that translate well from the trap line to upland shooting. While typically positioned above Winchester on price, its predictable patterns and consistency make it attractive for hunters who also shoot clays, and it often outperforms economy target loads in consistency even if it lacks the specialized steel technologies of Kent or Federal's upland steel series.

  • Clay-buster precision

  • Clean ignition

  • Tournament-ready grin

  • Remington Premier STS smoothwall hulls promote uniform velocity and reduced shot deformation

  • Target-grade manufacturing yields tight, repeatable patterns useful for quick upland targets

  • Clay-buster precision

  • Clean ignition

  • Tournament-ready grin

  • Remington Premier STS smoothwall hulls promote uniform velocity and reduced shot deformation

  • Target-grade manufacturing yields tight, repeatable patterns useful for quick upland targets

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$35-55 CAD

3
BEST PREMIUM SPORTING UPLAND

Winchester AA Sporting Clays 28 Gauge

Winchester AA Sporting Clays 28 Gauge

Winchester AA Sporting Clays is a widely available, mid-tier option that delivers dependable performance for upland work and target practice at a competitive price point. It undercuts some premium options like Fiocchi and Remington on cost while offering comparable reliability, though specialized steel loads from Federal and polymer-coated steel tech from Kent may provide better non-toxic performance in areas requiring steel shot.

4.7
★★★★☆

  • Dense patterns

  • Balanced recoil

  • Dense patterns

  • Balanced recoil

Review Summary

94%

"Widely regarded as a top-tier target load, reviewers cite exceptional consistency, tight patterns and reliable performance for sporting clays and competition shooting. "

  • Sporting-clays swagger

  • Winchester AA high-performance hull and powder combination for very consistent patterns

  • Sporting-clays swagger

  • Winchester AA high-performance hull and powder combination for very consistent patterns

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Winchester AA Sporting Clays is a widely available, mid-tier option that delivers dependable performance for upland work and target practice at a competitive price point. It undercuts some premium options like Fiocchi and Remington on cost while offering comparable reliability, though specialized steel loads from Federal and polymer-coated steel tech from Kent may provide better non-toxic performance in areas requiring steel shot.

  • Dense patterns

  • Balanced recoil

  • Sporting-clays swagger

  • Winchester AA high-performance hull and powder combination for very consistent patterns

  • Optimized for fast-breaking sporting clays and fast-flying upland birds at extended range

  • Dense patterns

  • Balanced recoil

  • Sporting-clays swagger

  • Winchester AA high-performance hull and powder combination for very consistent patterns

  • Optimized for fast-breaking sporting clays and fast-flying upland birds at extended range

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$45-70 CAD

4
BEST VALUE PHEASANT LOAD (UPLAND)

Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 28 Gauge

Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 28 Gauge

Fiocchi Golden Pheasant is a premium Italian-made upland load noted for precise manufacturing, quality components, and consistent patterns that favor humane, clean kills on game birds. It is usually pricier than the American-brand steel and target loads but rewards that premium with superior brass/wad construction and shot performance for hunters seeking traditional lead-type terminal performance, setting it apart from the steel-based offerings on this list.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Tight patterns

  • Traditional payload

  • Tight patterns

  • Traditional payload

Review Summary

86%

"Buyers appreciate the reliable patterning, good velocity and value for upland and target use, though a few users report occasional lot-to-lot variability. "

  • Pheasant-approved wink

  • Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads formulated specifically for upland species like pheasant and grouse

  • Pheasant-approved wink

  • Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads formulated specifically for upland species like pheasant and grouse

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Fiocchi Golden Pheasant is a premium Italian-made upland load noted for precise manufacturing, quality components, and consistent patterns that favor humane, clean kills on game birds. It is usually pricier than the American-brand steel and target loads but rewards that premium with superior brass/wad construction and shot performance for hunters seeking traditional lead-type terminal performance, setting it apart from the steel-based offerings on this list.

  • Tight patterns

  • Traditional payload

  • Pheasant-approved wink

  • Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads formulated specifically for upland species like pheasant and grouse

  • Balanced shot weight and velocity for effective energy and patterning on medium-range targets

  • Tight patterns

  • Traditional payload

  • Pheasant-approved wink

  • Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads formulated specifically for upland species like pheasant and grouse

  • Balanced shot weight and velocity for effective energy and patterning on medium-range targets

Order Now

$30-50 CAD

5
BEST NON-LEAD UPLAND STEEL

Kent Fasteel 2.0 28 Gauge

Kent Fasteel 2.0 28 Gauge

Kent Fasteel 2.0 specializes in advanced steel shot technology, using polymer-coated or otherwise treated steel to approximate the patterning and energy transfer of lead while remaining fully non-toxic for use in waterfowl and upland zones. Financially competitive with mid-range loads, it often outperforms standard steel shells in pattern density and reduced pellet deformation, making it the best choice for upland hunters who need non-toxic performance without paying Fiocchi-level premiums.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • High-density steel

  • Consistent penetration

  • High-density steel

  • Consistent penetration

Review Summary

84%

"Users value the Fasteel 2.0 steel shot for improved density and hard-hitting performance in wet conditions, while some note slightly harsher recoil and occasional availability issues. "

  • Fasteel flex boast

  • Kent Fasteel 2.0 uses engineered steel shot to resist deformation and improve pattern density

  • Fasteel flex boast

  • Kent Fasteel 2.0 uses engineered steel shot to resist deformation and improve pattern density

Recreational Enjoyment

Eco-Friendly Living

Skill Development & Mastery

Kent Fasteel 2.0 specializes in advanced steel shot technology, using polymer-coated or otherwise treated steel to approximate the patterning and energy transfer of lead while remaining fully non-toxic for use in waterfowl and upland zones. Financially competitive with mid-range loads, it often outperforms standard steel shells in pattern density and reduced pellet deformation, making it the best choice for upland hunters who need non-toxic performance without paying Fiocchi-level premiums.

  • High-density steel

  • Consistent penetration

  • Fasteel flex boast

  • Kent Fasteel 2.0 uses engineered steel shot to resist deformation and improve pattern density

  • Designed for non-lead shooting zones while maintaining lethal performance on upland birds

  • High-density steel

  • Consistent penetration

  • Fasteel flex boast

  • Kent Fasteel 2.0 uses engineered steel shot to resist deformation and improve pattern density

  • Designed for non-lead shooting zones while maintaining lethal performance on upland birds

Order Now

$40-65 CAD

Why 28 Gauge Upland Birdshot Works: Science, Testing, and Practical Benefits

A mix of ballistics principles, independent pattern testing, and field trials explains why 28 gauge upland birdshot is effective for close to mid-range hunting. The balance of pellet count, pellet diameter, velocity, and choke selection determines pattern density and terminal performance. Advances in shot materials and wad design reduce environmental impact and can change pattern behavior slightly, so testing loads through the intended gun and choke remains important. Independent pattern testing and ballistics research consistently show that properly matched 28 gauge loads and chokes deliver the pattern density needed for typical upland ranges while producing significantly reduced felt recoil compared with larger gauges.

Pellet count and size: Smaller shot sizes (higher shot numbers) increase pellet count and pattern coverage; matching shot size to target species and range is essential.

Pattern density: Independent pattern tests show properly loaded 28 gauge loads produce dense patterns inside 30 to 40 yards when paired with the correct choke.

Recoil and follow-up: Measured recoil impulse for 28 gauge is substantially lower than 12 or 20 gauge equivalents, aiding faster follow-up shots and less shooter fatigue.

Non-toxic shot and wads: Studies and environmental reviews support using non-toxic pellets and biodegradable wads to reduce lead contamination and plastic litter on hunting lands and wetlands.

Low-flash powders: Formulations that reduce muzzle flash help preserve shooter night vision and reduce disturbance in dawn/dusk hunting without sacrificing pattern performance.

In the Canadian upland context, these lightweight 28 gauge loads provide the fast handling and low recoil many hunters prefer while offering modern options like low flash, biodegradable wads, and non-toxic pellets. The five top options on this page — Federal Premium Upland Steel 28 Gauge, Remington Premier STS Target 28 Gauge, Winchester AA Sporting Clays 28 Gauge, Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 28 Gauge, and Kent Fasteel 2.0 28 Gauge — each bring strengths for different shooters: Federal Premium Upland Steel 28 Gauge stands out as the best overall choice for Canadian upland hunters seeking reliable patterning and non-toxic performance, Remington Premier STS Target 28 Gauge and Winchester AA Sporting Clays 28 Gauge are excellent for sporting clays and target practice, Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 28 Gauge offers classic balance and economy, and Kent Fasteel 2.0 28 Gauge is a strong option where non-toxic, heavy-for-size pellets are required. I hope you found what you were looking for; you can refine or expand your search using the site search to compare shot sizes, shot materials, or specialty features across brands.

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