20 or 28?

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sappyg

sappyg

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I am looking into a new SA shotgun and I can't decide whether I want a 20 or 28.
I shoot a lot of informal clays and SC when I can. Ultimately, I'm looking for the perfect dove gun. I prefer semi auto. ATM I'm torn between the Beretta Xplor or the Weatherby SA-08 in either gage. My heart says 28 but my head says the 20 is the way to go.
The 20 is almost a no brainer. Plenty of cheap ammo and more options to choose from. The 28, not so much. I already load for 410 but I'm not sure if I want to set up for yet another gage.
So now I have several questions. What would you consider to be the better gage for a dove gun regardless of cost of ammo. 20 or 28?
Does 1/8 ounce difference in payload really matter?
What are other options for a SA in either gage? It must be light weight and dead reliable. It should also be in current production or at the very least currently and readily available.
 
Count me in the 20 camp. Wide variety of factory ammo available at price points ranging from promo to specialty, plausible to use with steel shot if it becomes necessary, and if you still want to cut down the payload you can pretty easily load 3/4 oz. 20 gauge shells. I decided a long time ago that 16 and 28 are too much trouble/cost for the marginal advantages they confer to more common gauges.
 
I'm fond of the 28 gauge. It was the first shotgun I ever shot, the 28 ga side by side that my father grew up with and it was the first gauge that I won my class at a major skeet tournament.

Even at today's component prices, reloaded 28 gauge shells are pretty economical. But, if you do not reload, shell choices for different applications are kind of slim.

But, I do not know how well a semi-auto will digest reloaded shells. For my O/U, hulls would get pretty raunchy looking before I would scrap them.

That said, lots more options with factory 20 gauge hulls and they can be reloaded with 28 gauge shot payloads.
 
Most 28 gauge autos are built on their 20 gauge frame. There is absolutely no advantage to buying the 28 over the 20.

As already mentioned, there are good reasons to buy the 20 over the 28 (ammo availability and cost). If you reload, you can load down a 20 to mimic a 28 gauge load.

Stick with a 20, it's a better all around gun.
 
I would get a 20 first, and a 28 later, but a 28 is certainly a great dove gun in my opinion. For Sporting the 20 would likely serve better. While you have many choices in 20, if you do decide to go with a 28 look at a Remington 1100, although it is not super light it is not too heavy for me and is dead reliable, and in 28 I would look at a Benelli Ultralight and the Franchi 48; both very light.
 
Personal choice.................. What I`d want may not be your choice..............

Make up your own mind. Buying by "committee" a bad business model.
 
I love the 20 gauge. I have a Winchester Model 12 that I bought used in 1963. There are lots of cheap options these days, because of the panic buying of rifles and pistols. I picked up a Mod 12 in 16 gauge for just over 200 dollars recently. It is in great shape and I bought it because the price was so cheap.

Go with the 20 gauge.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
I have 20 gauges and I have the sa08 in 28 gauge. It's a really sweet gun. The 20 gauge has more utility. With a 3 inch shell you can even take geese if you are judicious in your range.

But the sa08 28 gauge is not a cut down 12 or 28. It is its own frame. The stock fits most people right out of the box, like the old 1100 stock. It functions really well and points like a dream. It's my favorite shotgun. If you are just looking for a gun to break clays with I'd get that over the 20. If you want to do more with it, get the 20.

Did I mention that the thing points like a dream? Even the ffl who transfer it for me wanted one after he had it in his hands.

But it's still a 28 gauge. Pricier ammo. Less selection. Just know what you are getting. But enjoy shooting it.
 
Have both and love both, but

If you shoot a lot the 20 will be cheaper when shooting factory ammo. I would go broke shooting a 28 in the dove field if I didn't reload. Sad, but true.
 
Thanks for the article link au_. Really good comments so far. From my research It seems that the SA-08 is basically an improved beretta a303. Nice.

The a400 Xplor can also be had on a 28 frame if I'm not mistaken.

I've also read of a G2 viper in 28. Don't think I've heard off that one but I think it's a Turkish gun also.

Honestly, if beretta would make the a300 in 20 gage I'd jump on it and be happy. I guess that's not going to happen any time soon so I'm considering all available options.

I'm leaning towards the 20 for practicality but there is something about a 5.5 lbs shotgun on a 28 gage frame.
 
Sav .250 said:
Personal choice.................. What I`d want may not be your choice..............

Make up your own mind. Buying by "committee" a bad business model.
Click to expand...

If he asked the question to the members here, perhaps he's trying to make up his mind. That's what like 80 percent of the threads (perhaps I exaggerate) on here are like.

I recall that, when I was buying an O/U, I asked the forum about the model that I was considering, and the feedback here helped me choose one that was more suitable for what I was doing.

Back to the OP's question: it depends to a large extent whether you reload. If you want to devote the time and resources to buying the equipment, the 28 is viable (and a great gauge to boot). If not, though, I'd go with the 20.
 
I agree Captcurt . I also was in the market for a lighter shotgun and was considering the same gauges . I choose the 20 ga. SA-08 Deluxe . I did return the first one that I received because it had a long scratch / blemish on the receiver . The second one I received had a much darker stock and forearm than the first one . I liked the color of the wood better on that first gun . But the main thing , it has been reliable . Also at Weatherby they list the LOP at 14" , mine is 14 1/2 inches .
 
red rick said:
I agree Captcurt . I also was in the market for a lighter shotgun and was considering the same gauges . I choose the 20 ga. SA-08 Deluxe . I did return the first one that I received because it had a long scratch / blemish on the receiver . The second one I received had a much darker stock and forearm than the first one . I liked the color of the wood better on that first gun . But the main thing , it has been reliable . Also at Weatherby they list the LOP at 14" , mine is 14 1/2 inches .
Click to expand...
I don't sell many Weatherbys but they are one of the best buys in my book.
 
I would certainly buy a 20 gauge. The 28 is a fine gun, but 20 gauge gives you way more options. I've owned few 20s...Remington 1100 LW, a completely restored Remington Model 17, an Ugartachia SxS, and Benelli Legacy. And I've shot others that I liked..a Ruger Red Label and a Browning O/U and a Remington 870 WingMaster. Good guns all. My current two are the Benelli and the restored Rem 17, both fantastic shooters. The Benelli is flawless; it's only downside is the weight. It is quite light. Most people prefer a bit heavier gun for clay targets. My Rem 17 has a fixed full choke which you wouldn't normally want for sporting clays and it's a pump. But, I shoot it just as well as my other guns. It is a dream to shoot.
 
Just a FYI. The Benelli Ethos will be available in 28 gauge, coming out in July, I believe. But, get this, it will be chambered in 2-3/4" and 3"! Ammo for the 3" 28 will be forthcoming from Fiocchi. MSRP for the new 28 is listed as $2199. This should generate some discussion! :)
 
Well, for clays, the answer is easy to figure out; are you bored with your perfect scores with your 12 ga or 20 ga.? Then 28 is the answer to your problems, no more of those pesky 25/25's, you'll be right back down with the rest of us hacks at 22 or 23/25. :neener:

Seriously, I agree that in semi auto, there's little advantage to a 28, as the guns are built on the 20 receivers. Now a SxS or O/U in 28 is a joy to beholdin....;)
 
I shoot a 410 for doves and since you already load 410 go with the twenty. If you ever go duck hunting or want to slug hunt with it.
 
I'm a cheapskate, so I'd go with a 20. Shells are so much cheaper and more plentiful.

Besides, if you ever decide to part with it, it's a lot easier to sell a 20 than a 28.
 
I'm not as wise as Solomon, but I have the solution to this problem: Buy one of each.

Next question. :)

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
sappyg said:
I am looking into a new SA shotgun and I can't decide whether I want a 20 or 28.
I shoot a lot of informal clays and SC when I can. Ultimately, I'm looking for the perfect dove gun. I prefer semi auto. ATM I'm torn between the Beretta Xplor or the Weatherby SA-08 in either gage. My heart says 28 but my head says the 20 is the way to go.
The 20 is almost a no brainer. Plenty of cheap ammo and more options to choose from. The 28, not so much. I already load for 410 but I'm not sure if I want to set up for yet another gage.
So now I have several questions. What would you consider to be the better gage for a dove gun regardless of cost of ammo. 20 or 28?
Does 1/8 ounce difference in payload really matter?
What are other options for a SA in either gage? It must be light weight and dead reliable. It should also be in current production or at the very least currently and readily available.
Click to expand...
You answered your own question! In fact, you should not even have a question, as to which way to go, if only for economics alone.
 
Hey judge,

Neither actually. Not too long ago, about the same time this thread started, I started getting hooked on skeet. So, a certain Citori CX got in the way.

I was dead set on a 20 gage and had narrowed it down to the Weatherby SA-08 or the Viper G2. Non were in stock locally in any event. If I'm not mistaken both guns are offered in 20 & 28 gage. It'd be nice to have. One of each.
 
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