[AlbertaRob]

As the title states, which one are you shooting and why?

I've never owned a 20ga. I thought 12 was all that was needed and that's probably true. My first 28ga was an SP V with incredible wood - and I was hooked forever. I don't hunt anymore, but shoot lots of clays. I enjoy the attention - the cheap reloading - and I score about the same as with my 12 ga guns.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

Side question: Does your 28 ga barrel have to be rated to shoot steel to shoot TSS?

TSS is a lot harder than Steel, so yes seems like the wise answer here. It almost seems as if any 4140, 4150, or 416R alloy barrel should suffice though. The forcing cone region is a concern. And after that the main remaining concern is a TSS approved choke or choke tube.

 

[oneounceload]

Both, but 90% 28. Low recoil and a little cheaper to reload. You can also load 7/8oz 12 and have basically the same thing as a 20.

Or, you can load 3/4 in 12 and have a low recoiling payload; just choke 1 constriction tighter for pattern density

 

[Orberdorfer]

For me it's got nothing to do with "recoil' or a "look at me" factor. I just love them for what they are. I have let others shoot mine & since then 3 of them have gotten their own 28 gauge!
To me it makes trap more challenging and since I've picked up 28 gauge my 12 gauge game has improved dramaticly. A friend & I have even started shooting trap with .410's occasionally! Love the 28!
I believe that it was a TV show called California Bird Hunters that turned me on to the 28. Have never had a problem finding ammo. (Cheaper than .410)
Just my personal, based, I unprofessional opinion. Weve all got 'em.

 

[Joe1100]

I shoot both 20 and 28 often. Big fan of the 28 ga. 28 is my ‘big gun’ for skeet and the go to rebuild confidence (mainly shoot .410 at skeet). Shoot a fair amount of sporting clays with both 20 and 28. A target frame 28 ga is pure joy to shoot. With LM/M chokes you will be amazed how effective a 28 ga is out to 40 yards. Can shoot it all day with no adverse impacts from recoil. Only down side is the cost and an availability of ammo. You pretty much have to reload 28 if you use it regularly. Very cost effective to shoot if you reload.
If your choice is one or the other, 20 ga is more versatile with more ammo options. 20 will be more forgiving to shoot and has a little longer effective range. 20ga is my favorite for chasing pheasants with my springer.

 

[A5ROCK]

Yeah, that's basically what I'm saying. And don't discount the fun factor. For many of us, that's what drives our shooting.

But for me, that's the 16 gauge more than the 28. Now THAT'S what I call fun.

Bought a 16 couple weeks ago

 

[Fever]

28 if you want something different or want to shoot high dollar tss shells at waterfowl just because. If you want to shoot steel at waterfowl in a 28, it limits you in terms of pellet count, and most factory loads are 1350-1400, slower stuff. Be ready to reload if you want more choices in loads or just something less costly. Target loads are significantly more expensive. The 28 has the plus of hardly any recoil in super light guns and are a joy to bust clays with all day.

The 20 is more versatile and much more practical, especially if you don't reload. Shells are much cheaper and easier to find, with more variety off the shelf. Steel duck loads on 20ga are plentiful and effective. However, 20ga recoil will be more in a light gun.

Really like anything its all up to what you like. Some like a 12 for everything, others like the 410. The 28 is neat, but IMO a niche gauge you have to be committed to.

 

[Joe Leb]

My skeet gun w/tubes has converted me to a sub gauge shooter. I shot 6 to 700 rds of 28ga and I'm finishing up my 700 rds of 20ga both on the skeet field. I'm enjoying the heck out of shooting both gauges. The real challenge is going to be shooting the 410 next, I can't wait.

 

[briano52]

20 ga., more models of guns available, cheaper ammo, 3" steel shot, 1 1/4 oz pheasant loads, rifled slugs and sabots. 28 ga guns do not seem nearly as popular in the real world as with people on this forum.

I shoot both 20ga and 28ga. For SC, mostly 20ga but some 28ga. For upland and doves, all 28ga. For waterfowl, I have traditionally shot 12ga although, in recent years, I have been shooting more 20ga for ducks with good success.

The 28ga has a certain fun factor to it that is satisfying. The guns are light, often very pretty and there is a sense of accomplishment getting the job done (which the 28ga does well) with 3/4oz loads.

 

[briano52]

It’s not realistic to claim any advantage to the 28ga.

Ballistically speaking, there may not any advantage to the 28ga. But the 28ga has a certain fun factor to it that makes it satisfying to shoot and largely accounts for its loyal following.

 

[jameister]

Both.
The 28, as stated, isn't as common as the folks on this forum present it to be, but it is a very nice gun to have available. It's fun, and can be a very capable gun in the field with the right loads. I'm not recoil sensitive, but I can tell the difference between shooting 150, 28ga. shells, versus shooting a 150, 12ga. shells.
You kind of have to want to shoot the 28ga. Like the 16ga., a person is a bit on their own with respect to ammo availability, and many reload the 28ga. to have the shells they want/need, and save $$$$..
The 20 is the 20. It seems as if everyone has one, or wants one, and uses it to great success on a variety of game and shooting sports. The ammo, unlike the 28, is cheaper and easier to find, and in broader offerings. The shotgun industry may revolve around the 12ga. but there is widespread industry support for the 20 also. I don't think a person could go wrong owning a 20ga.
Life is short. Buy one of each.

two of each. TIFIFY

 

[jameister]

It’s not realistic to claim any advantage to the 28ga.

I can put a handful of 28 gauge shells in my pocket and go.
as opposed to half that number of larger gauge shells.

and I can shoot a hand full of doves or pheasant with a couple pockets of shells.

 

[tdyoung58]

As the title states, which one are you shooting and why?

Have both, my 20 gauge is a 28" Field model Beretta 686. It's a hunting gun.

My favorite to shoot is a 28 gauge is a 30" Beretta SP 1 .... It's gets shot a lot more for Skeet

 

[I Like 20 Gauge]

A 28 gauge would cost me a new shotgun, MEC press, and wads. I would have to also get the MEC press base to switch presses because I am running out of space. I already have 3 MEC presses, a Rockchucker for rifle, and a Lee Turret for pistol.
I am down to only one 20-gauge, a Remington 1100 lightweight and at 76 years old I thinned down my shotgun and rifle inventory to just what my son and son-inlaw want. I'm sure my son would want a 28- gauge though. Eventually he will have to get a larger safe.

 

[wjredlabel]

I have browning cxs 20/28 combo and enjoy shooting both but I've probably have hit 25 at skeet more often with the 28

 

[MNGunner]

I currently have two 28ga's (and two 16ga's) along with many more 12's &20's and have never reloaded a single shell in my life. I always hear that when the 28 and 16 come up that "you have to reload." I'm proof you absolutely do not. Are shells for these two more expensive and more limited in variety? yes. Should you expect to beable to buy these at a gas station on your way out to the field? No.

If you high volume target shoot then reloading could make sense, but for hunting and occasional target shooting, it is not needed (that said, there are less quality target loads in 16ga than in 28ga)

 

[Travis Montana]

I shoot both depending on my mood and what others are shooting with that day. Shoot several in both ga's from hunting to skeet to 5 stand and sporting. Just a change up and to make it interesting.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

More as to why TSS might make 28 Gauge the new 12 Gauge for waterfowl hunting:

Due to its 18.1 g/CC density, it's at least hypothetically conceivable that as much as 1.5 ounces of #8 TSS 'might' be fit into a 28 gauge hull along with a TSS suitable wad. That's about 376 pellets. And #8 TSS is hypothetically capable of adequately penetrating geese out to perhaps 55 yards* and ducks out to perhaps 80 yards* if you can find a powder suitable to launching it at only about 1,150 FPS.

3" 28 Gauge hulls and 3" chambered shotguns are now becoming common, making this hypothetical even more possible in the real world. And with this development, 3" TSS capable 28 Gauge wads can't be very far off in the future.

* That's about the penetration equivalent of #1 Bismuth shot when launched at 1,350 FPS. 2 ounces of which would be only about 166 pellets.

 

[Multiflora]

I am more and more pleased to be approaching 73 years of age.

 

[Frank B.]

My skeet gun w/tubes has converted me to a sub gauge shooter. I shot 6 to 700 rds of 28ga and I'm finishing up my 700 rds of 20ga both on the skeet field. I'm enjoying the heck out of shooting both gauges. The real challenge is going to be shooting the 410 next, I can't wait.

It's been 45 years since I shot 410 in skeet with my friends O/U Citori. But I shot 24, 24 and 25. AND I was a 23+ average with my 12 ga 870 with an occasional 25 (like 5) over 4 years shooting then. I couldn't believe I shot that well, but that gun was smooth!