28 Gauge vs 20 Gauge for Upland Bird Hunting

[CoalCrackerAl]

There is a fellow at the gun club who shoots skeet with a 28 ga. He nails more clays than the rest of us. Very impressive to watch him him knock them down. He does load his own.

 

[tactikel]

First pick whichever fits you best (in hunting gear). Next access hunting dynamics do you hunt over a good pointer? IMHO the 28 is for an experienced hunter in favorable conditions. A 20 my go to gauge gives you 7/8 oz thru 1 1/4 oz, I usually (for wild flushing grouse) shoot 1 oz field loads x2 then a 3” mag.

 

[cdb1]

I like the 28 gauge, a lot. I don’t enjoy reloading and 28 gauge ammunition is too pricey for my budget. Otherwise I’d have a 28 gauge.

 

[Milkmaster]

I got started with the 28ga to make my clay shooting a little more challenging. However my scores failed to diminish very much. Now I shoot the 28ga more than anything else because the guns are lightweight and handy. 3/4oz is still 3/4oz in a 20ga or a 28ga. A little less powder does affect the distance some I have noticed. I am usually on the birds quick, so it hasn't been a problem. In the end I still have the 12, 20, and others. I just like shooting the 28ga best. It sure is a nice weight gun carrying while hunting and can be as effective if you are on them birds quickly. Good Luck!

 

[kudu]

Back when I shot registered skeet, my 28 gauge average was the highest of all four gauges. I used the same gun with Kolar tubes in it, so essentially everything was within an ounce and balanced the same.

 

[cfullgraf]

Back when I shot registered skeet, my 28 gauge average was the highest of all four gauges. I used the same gun with Kolar tubes in it, so essentially everything was within an ounce and balanced the same.

I'm similar. I do like 28 gauge. I shot my first pheasant with my Dad's 28 ga side by side. I my first class win at skeet was with a 28 gauge and by a shoot out with doubles at stations 3,4, and 5 to boot.

But my 28 gauge averages did not match my 20 gauge averages. 20 gauge was my best. I shot 20 gauge in the 12 gauge events.

My Citori with Briley match weight tubes swung the same with the 20, 28 and .410 tubes in it. I just could never get the gun to swing as well in 12 gauge without the tubes.

A tubed 12 gauge would be heavy for field carry but a nice 28 gauge built on a 28 gauge frame has a bit of a weight advantage over a 20 gauge.

 

[Weflyfast]

Boss Shotshells makes bismuth loads for the 28 gauge- and they work very well on ducks and pheasants.... a bit pricey but worth it-. In my area with the ammo shortage I have found just the opposite of what people are saying...many times the last 4 or 5 boxes of shells on the shelf are 28 gauge- AAs or field loads are about the same price as 20 gauge- personally I like the super light guns in 28 gauge......