28 ga vs 20 ga

[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.