28 ga vs 20 ga

[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.