28 ga vs 20 ga

[madcow41]

Looking at getting a new/used shotgun. I used to have a 12 ga citori but I traded it for a 12 ga semi auto SBE 1. I’m now wanting an upland/ bird gun. What are your guys thoughts on 28/20 for upland and am I crazy for getting rid of my citori and or wanting a 28 ga. Is it worth it for dogless upland hunting that I do?

Thanks

[RobinHoodlum]

This was my first year of upland and have no experience with 28 gauges, so maybe not the best person to advise. Anyway, I bounced between my Benelli M2 12 gauge duck gun and a little Franchi Affinity 20 gauge I picked up last spring. I'm psyched about the Franchi (26" barrel)! It swings quickly and the light carry weight was appreciated on long days. I found good variety and availability of load choices in 20 gauge, whereas I have to believe you'll have to plan well ahead for a 28. I hunted with a dog, but I didn't find the 20 lacking on wild flushes or bumped birds. Hope this helps with your decision.

[Hilltop123]

Ammunition availability, would be a concern for me.   

[Cowboy15]

I have a 16 ga and it seems as though there is a much wider variety of ammo available for the 28 ga than the 16. I was really surprised to see what was out there, even at outdoor "box stores".

[Cheif]

I’d get the 28.

[jackson7]

20, more pellets. Sometimes you just don"t get lots of shooting. Think the 20 is more practical for everything as your only upland gun. Get the  28 after you have some shooting under your belt.Good luck.

[10mmg]

Without a dog I would go 20 gauge. 28 is a bit of an aficionado round that is expensive to feed and ammo is not always available. If your a 2 shotgun guy having a 12 for waterfowl and a 20 for upland you will never be lacking. Plus you can get 3 boxes of practice 20 for the one of 28. Gun weight is about the same between the two. Only savings is the weight of the shells in your vest. Another consideration for the 20 is with more and more areas going non-toxic only you have a better ammo selection of non-toxic with the 20. If you go with the 20 get a 3” chamber. My upland gun is a 3” 20 gauge that I shoot hybrid 3” #5 shot that is half steel half bizmuth from. That allows me to kill the occasional duck in the corn field legally.

Happy Hunting

[jackson7]

 

[huntingfool7]

This is Washington and it won't be long before they outlaw lead in the uplands.  28 is a fine gauge if you're shooting lead or HW tungsten.  Pretty weak when loaded with steel. 

Buy the 28 and learn to load HW.  If you're against cobbling together your own ammo, buy the 20.

[BTStewart]

I own both and hunt with both. I would suggest the 28 gauge if you primarily hunt quail and/or ruffed grouse. I'd go with a 3" 20 if chukar/pheasant/blue grouse are your primary quarry.

[MR5x5]

Dogless?  That's pretty tough sledding right there.  You will want to maximize your limited shooting opportunities.  My vote for your situation would be a 12 followed by a 16.  Probably not a 20 and definitely not a 28.  Get yourself over a dog, and sure go with a 20, I do.  Still would not go with 28.  Just don't see the point. What's next 410...?

[Bill W]

I have both as I may be a gun hoarder.  I will say that ammo is cheaper and readily more available for the 20.  It also has more variety out there.  It is possible to get both guns in the same weight.  I have a 20 that comes in less than 6 lbs and my 28 is listed at 6 lbs.  Hunting loads for the 28 I think are listed at $18 per box with limited variety.  20 gauge is  way more cheaper.   Having said that my next gun will be a Browning o/u in .410.

[duckmen1]

I have both as I may be a gun hoarder.  I will say that ammo is cheaper and readily more available for the 20.  It also has more variety out there.  It is possible to get both guns in the same weight.  I have a 20 that comes in less than 6 lbs and my 28 is listed at 6 lbs.  Hunting loads for the 28 I think are listed at $18 per box with limited variety.  20 gauge is  way more cheaper.   Having said that my next gun will be a Browning o/u in .410.

Love when I hear of people wanting a 410. Options on ammo selection are starting to rise. Bit pricy for shells but I seem to be finding deals off and on. Shells are so light to carry. Guns are super light and swing amazing. That's my go to for pheasant, quail, grouse, turkey. Absolutely love it.

If I were to choose 20 over 28 I would go the 20 gauge though.

[jetjockey]

Dogless?  Get a 20.  If you have a dog, go with the 28.  Since I buy almost all my ammo from RST online, buying shells isn’t an issue for me.  A case of  RST 12’s is $120, and a case of RST 28’s is $120.   Btw. There’s not an upland bird in the world you can’t kill with 7/8oz of #6’s at 1150fps. 

http://www.rstshells.com/28-ga-2-3/4-Heavy-Hunting-vel-1200-7/8-oz-load-case.aspx

[DJR]

There is something special about 28s and I wouldn't be without at least one but the correct answer is the 20 gauge for all the reasons posted by others.

[Evil_EdwardO]

I hunt upland dogless and use a 20g. I never shot a 28g before but my friends that have them, it seems to be their go to gun for upland and trap shooting.

[Bill W]

There is something special about 28s and I wouldn't be without at least one but the correct answer is the 20 gauge for all the reasons posted by others.

As I told my wife when she asked why I bought another gun and did I need it.  I said I didn't need it, I wanted it.  That's how the 28 followed me home.

[Henrydog]

28ga Maybe skeet.  Never Trap

[C-Money]

Only experience I have had with a 28ga is the youth single shot. When my boy was 7, he wanted to shoot trap. So, he started out with the 28ga. He handled it well, and broke scores in the upper teens consistently. I found ammo more available than I expected. He shot that 28ga for 2 years, until he could fit into a youth 12ga trap. The 28ga is a very fun shotgun shell. Our 28ga now takes a lesser used role as a grouse blaster, but still, a family favorite.

PS, I agree with Henrydog, 28ga is not a good choice for serious trap shooters, but it surly has the ability to introduce folks to shooting sports, and performs and patterns very well!

[Fishnfowler]

I hunt all the freaking time and have limited myself to two gauges for simplicity.  Even with that, the pile of stuff that grows is stupid. I believe that the 20 is more versatile if you want to really narrow it down. Regardless, go with what blows your hair back.  You can kill birds just fine with a 28, .410, 24, or 32 gauge.  There are followers of them all.  If you really devote yourself to the game, reloading will become part of the equation, 20 gauge supplies are more available.

[wadu1]

The only shotgun I don't have is a 16ga. I load everything else from 10ga to .410 bore. I've taken ducks with all gages, .410 and 28 used #5 bismith Personally I think the 20 is an all round gauge, I prefer the 28 just because. It works well for me at 16 yard trap full choke and # 8 1/2's. I've even loaded some 10 gauge for friends to dove hunt with, 44 grains of AL-8 and 2 1/4 oz of #8  Bottom line if you hand load you can make what you need. 

[MR5x5]

The only shotgun I don't have is a 16ga. I load everything else from 10ga to .410 bore. I've taken ducks with all gages, .410 and 28 used #5 bismith Personally I think the 20 is an all round gauge, I prefer the 28 just because. It works well for me at 16 yard trap full choke and # 8 1/2's. I've even loaded some 10 gauge for friends to dove hunt with, 44 grains of AL-8 and 2 1/4 oz of #8  Bottom line if you hand load you can make what you need.  [/quote

You really should give a 16 gauge a go.  My go to pheasant gun is a 16 Rem Model 58 that I've been shooting for 45 yrs.  Seem to fill the psychological void between a 12 ga being overkill and a 20 ga maybe not being quite enough for all purpose use.

[John B]

20 ga is definitely easier to find shells. I'm a big fan of 28 ga, noticeably less recoil than a 20. If you can keep your shots around 40 yards or less, 28 is just as effective as a 20. My understanding (not an expert) is the 20 ga has a longer, stretched out, shot pattern than other gauges. This might mean on paper it appears to have a tighter pattern than it does in flight.

I would say though, instead of starting with caliber, find a gun that fits you well.

[wildweeds]

Funny that no one has mentioned buying a "Set" I have 2 sets, one in 20/28 and another skeet set in 20/28/410. Buying a set is a bit pricier than picking a lane to drive in but cheaper than 2 complete guns. Gives you the option to choose what size of holes you want to hunt with, 28 early season,20 late season,another benefit is the rig will always shoot in the same spot.

[wadu1]

Funny that no one has mentioned buying a "Set" I have 2 sets, one in 20/28 and another skeet set in 20/28/410. Buying a set is a bit pricier than picking a lane to drive in but cheaper than 2 complete guns. Gives you the option to choose what size of holes you want to hunt with, 28 early season,20 late season,another benefit is the rig will always shoot in the same spot.

Same here, I have 20 barrel inverts for my 12ga. For my 20ga I have 28 and 410 and a stand alone 28. I do 90% of my shooting with the 20 ga combo.

[Fishnfowler]

20 ga is definitely easier to find shells. I'm a big fan of 28 ga, noticeably less recoil than a 20. If you can keep your shots around 40 yards or less, 28 is just as effective as a 20. My understanding (not an expert) is the 20 ga has a longer, stretched out, shot pattern than other gauges. This might mean on paper it appears to have a tighter pattern than it does in flight.

I would say though, instead of starting with caliber, find a gun that fits you well.

Recoil is not a function of gauge, it is a function of gun weight, payload, and velocity.  I shoot 5-1/2 pound 20 gauges using 3/4 oz of shot at 1200 fps.  The recoil will be exactly the same as a 28 gauge weighing the same shooting the same load.  As to shot stringing, the exact same load in a 28 gauge will have more shot stringing than the 20.  If you are pass shooting, it might matter, but probably not. The comment that a 28 gauge is "just as effective as a 20" is nonsense.  Pattern density matters which is dependent on choke, load, and range.  FWIW, I also shoot 6-1/2 pound 12 gauges, their recoil is completely dependent on what I shove down the tubes and the speed I push it at. Regardless of the points I bring up here, I absolutely agree that a well fitting gun matters most of all, however, I'm betting that most hunters never pay the fee for a proper fitting. 

[Henrydog]

fishnfowler comment is 100% accurate

[John B]

20 ga is definitely easier to find shells. I'm a big fan of 28 ga, noticeably less recoil than a 20. If you can keep your shots around 40 yards or less, 28 is just as effective as a 20. My understanding (not an expert) is the 20 ga has a longer, stretched out, shot pattern than other gauges. This might mean on paper it appears to have a tighter pattern than it does in flight.

I would say though, instead of starting with caliber, find a gun that fits you well.

Recoil is not a function of gauge, it is a function of gun weight, payload, and velocity.  I shoot 5-1/2 pound 20 gauges using 3/4 oz of shot at 1200 fps.  The recoil will be exactly the same as a 28 gauge weighing the same shooting the same load.  As to shot stringing, the exact same load in a 28 gauge will have more shot stringing than the 20.  If you are pass shooting, it might matter, but probably not. The comment that a 28 gauge is "just as effective as a 20" is nonsense.  Pattern density matters which is dependent on choke, load, and range.  FWIW, I also shoot 6-1/2 pound 12 gauges, their recoil is completely dependent on what I shove down the tubes and the speed I push it at. Regardless of the points I bring up here, I absolutely agree that a well fitting gun matters most of all, however, I'm betting that most hunters never pay the fee for a proper fitting.

You're right. I was working under the assumption that OP would be buying shells off the shelf. If you don't reload and buy the same brand/shot size/velocity box of shells in 20 and 28, would anything I said not be true?

Doesn't pitch angle have an effect on (felt) recoil?

[Henrydog]

20 ga is definitely easier to find shells. I'm a big fan of 28 ga, noticeably less recoil than a 20. If you can keep your shots around 40 yards or less, 28 is just as effective as a 20. My understanding (not an expert) is the 20 ga has a longer, stretched out, shot pattern than other gauges. This might mean on paper it appears to have a tighter pattern than it does in flight.

I would say though, instead of starting with caliber, find a gun that fits you well.

Recoil is not a function of gauge, it is a function of gun weight, payload, and velocity.  I shoot 5-1/2 pound 20 gauges using 3/4 oz of shot at 1200 fps.  The recoil will be exactly the same as a 28 gauge weighing the same shooting the same load.  As to shot stringing, the exact same load in a 28 gauge will have more shot stringing than the 20.  If you are pass shooting, it might matter, but probably not. The comment that a 28 gauge is "just as effective as a 20" is nonsense.  Pattern density matters which is dependent on choke, load, and range.  FWIW, I also shoot 6-1/2 pound 12 gauges, their recoil is completely dependent on what I shove down the tubes and the speed I push it at. Regardless of the points I bring up here, I absolutely agree that a well fitting gun matters most of all, however, I'm betting that most hunters never pay the fee for a proper fitting.

You're right. I was working under the assumption that OP would be buying shells off the shelf. If you don't reload and buy the same brand/shot size/velocity box of shells in 20 and 28, would anything I said not be true?

Doesn't pitch angle have an effect on (felt) recoil?

Pitch has to do with cheek slap.  Recoil is a simple a product of payload.  Pitch is part of fit and perceived recoil.  I shoot a lot of ATA trap and have a fitted gun.  A couple of years ago I lost 15 pounds and the gun was beating the crap out of me.  With a new tapered spacer changing the pitch no more pinch to the face.  Recoil is the same it was just how the comb fit.  There is a book called Stockfitters Bible by Rowland Oswald.  It is worth the read if you are into shotguns

[2MANY]

28 gauge is awesome.
410 is great too.
20's are sweet
My 16 rocks.
and My 12's have killed a pile of flying objects.

Sounds like I might wanna buy a 10 to complete my discussion.

[nwwanderer]

Ahh, tomany does not have enough!!!  Carry on!

[Fishnfowler]

20 ga is definitely easier to find shells. I'm a big fan of 28 ga, noticeably less recoil than a 20. If you can keep your shots around 40 yards or less, 28 is just as effective as a 20. My understanding (not an expert) is the 20 ga has a longer, stretched out, shot pattern than other gauges. This might mean on paper it appears to have a tighter pattern than it does in flight.

I would say though, instead of starting with caliber, find a gun that fits you well.

Recoil is not a function of gauge, it is a function of gun weight, payload, and velocity.  I shoot 5-1/2 pound 20 gauges using 3/4 oz of shot at 1200 fps.  The recoil will be exactly the same as a 28 gauge weighing the same shooting the same load.  As to shot stringing, the exact same load in a 28 gauge will have more shot stringing than the 20.  If you are pass shooting, it might matter, but probably not. The comment that a 28 gauge is "just as effective as a 20" is nonsense.  Pattern density matters which is dependent on choke, load, and range.  FWIW, I also shoot 6-1/2 pound 12 gauges, their recoil is completely dependent on what I shove down the tubes and the speed I push it at. Regardless of the points I bring up here, I absolutely agree that a well fitting gun matters most of all, however, I'm betting that most hunters never pay the fee for a proper fitting.

You're right. I was working under the assumption that OP would be buying shells off the shelf. If you don't reload and buy the same brand/shot size/velocity box of shells in 20 and 28, would anything I said not be true?

Doesn't pitch angle have an effect on (felt) recoil?

If the loads and velocities were the same, the gun with more recoil would be the lighter one, regardless of gauge.  Shoot 1oz at 1200fps out of a 7lb 28 gauge and it will recoil less than the same load out of a 6-1/2lb 12 gauge.  Generally, the 28 is lighter.  It is funny how many people want to shove a huge load out of a sub-gauge.  There are 1-1/8oz loads for 20 gauge which is as silly to me as 1oz loads for the 28.  I won't shoot 1oz loads out of my light 20's as it isn't much fun after a bit of shooting.  If I need to shove an ounce of shot down the barrel I reach for something that weighs north of 6lb.  If I want to shoot an ultralight gun, I fit the load to it.

[444Marlin]

I love my 28s'.  It's about all I shoot.

Ammo is a bit more expensive.  I haven't had trouble finding it though, except for non-tox.  But I don't require much.