And that’s in a game where you can’t give up anything. Ammo for them is also expensive. That can result in a dramatic increase in kick when, for example, 3", 1-1/4 ounce Magnum shells are fired in a 20 gauge upland gun appropriate for use with 2-3/4", 7/8 ounce loads. 12 gauge loads, but putting up to 100% more #5 shot holes … Lest you write me off as Mr. Hyper Hyperbolic, let me assure you I didn’t come to the 28-gauge easily. Recoil out of the 28 using my reloads was slightly less than a 3/4 ounce 20 gauge reload. Subtract 10 yards for the trajectory of the bird’s fall, and you still have a shot any 28-gauge can hang its hat on. If you're not competing there is little need to have a 28 gauge gun as the 3/4 ounce 20 gauge works extremely well. The 28 gauge offers much better pattern performance with very little added recoil. Choose a gun weight appropriate for the loads you intend to shoot. Hitting shots may be more important than anything else for a beginner. However, perceived recoil, what the shooter feels, is a highly subjective matter. 28 Gauge: Ranking below the 12 and 20 gauges in terms of popularity, the 28 gauge shotgun is somewhat common in upland game hunting and skeet shooting circles. In the 28 vs 20 gauge argument, the 28 doesn’t give up much in registered skeet if you look at the NSSA year book. Now a days, 12 ga, 7/8 oz loads are available, if not commercially, at least from reloading. and 1-7/8 oz. Note that I have the 20 and 28 weighing the same because they usually do. and 1-5/16 oz. When a beginner shoots a 28 gauge shotgun, he not only benefits from low recoil, but also a much better chance to hit what he is shooting at. 20 gauge loads clearly, vividly, dramatically outperform 1-1/2 oz. 28's built on true 28 gauge frames are usually too light for clay target shooting. But it does give up something. In one of many patterning sessions, this one in particular with lead turkey loads, I’ve had 1-1/4 oz. So, 20 gauge shells are yellow in order to make them easy to identify and to minimize the chances of loading a 20 gauge shell in a 12 gauge shotgun. Sounds like I don't care for the 28? Not enough to make a difference. The barrels all weigh the same. Here are the free recoil numbers to give you an idea: 7-1/2# 12 gauge 1-1/8 oz shot at 1200 fps has 18.81 ft/lb free recoil 6-1/4# 20 gauge 7/8 oz shot at 1200 fps has 13.53 ft/lb free recoil 6-1/4# 28 gauge 3/4 oz shot at 1200 fps has 10.15 ft/lb free recoil. There are also 3/4 ounce 20 gauge reloads that replicate the ballistics of the 28. I had a three barrel set for my K20, 20, 28 and .410. Like most Dakota farm boys, I was a 12-gauge man for 14 years before adding a 20-gauge to my arsenal. My 20 gauge averages were better than 12 gauge in part due to the recoil. If a 28- or 16-gauge is all you have, however, it’ll certainly do the job. 20-gauge shotshell—Many might consider this one borderline, but let’s run some numbers based on popular target loads: 28-gauge ¾ -ounce-12.8 ft.-lbs. In fact, it patterns much like a 20 gauge. I've shot a few boxes of those and plan on shooting more. If recoil is an issue there are Low-recoil 20 gauge factory loads. They are quite pleasant to shoot. Most 28 gauge guns are built on a 20 gauge frame. 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