I don't mean in general, but for a specific purpose. I'm looking at getting a secondary gun for trap shooting to loan to first-time shooters that is light and has low recoil. (The first-timers would be shooting at hand-tossed targets) I may occasionally use it myself with my own pigeon thrower for a challenge. I was looking at 20 gauges and noticed that a half-decent 28-gauge can be had for not a lot more money; a CZ pump 28-gauge is only $360 at CtD.
I know the ammo is not cheap, but this gun would be used rarely enough that the cost isn't a big factor. Probably only a few boxes a year will be shot through it at most. But I'm worried that 28 gauge is just TOO small and light, and might throw patterns that are impossible to hit anything with except for someone much more experienced than anyone who might shoot this gun.
So, anyone have any experience in this realm?
If you get one, get a MEC reloader for it the same day.
I inherited a 410 double and decided, "I have this, I'm going to shoot this thing and enjoy it." That MEC is the best investment in guns I've made. The 410 and 28 are both very similar in the 1/2 ounce load is probably the most popular in both of them. I do NOT own a 28 gauge though. I now have both my fathers 410 double and an uncle's old H&R 410 single. I've also got a Topper trap gun with 410, 20, and 12 gauge barrels for it. I probably shoot my dads old 410 more in one day than all the other people who ever owned it before me all added together.
These 410 guns get shot at LEAST TEN TIMES AS MUCH as about all the rest of my shotguns in the last 5-10 years I've had them. Just EVERYONE loves shooting them. My guess is it would be the same way with your 28 gauge. They are just flat out fun.
I'll take a lady beginner who has never touched a shotgun and have her breaking half the first 25 she has ever shot at, from my electric trap machine thrown, the first time she ever shoots at flying birds with my father's old 410 Stevens double gun that just about every one has learned on since my uncle sold it to my father 60 years ago.
I've done it, over and over and over again. Granted now, these are easy birds I've set up specifically for beginners. Turn that machine down a little slower and give it a high angle to see them easy against the blue sky. But breaking clays is what hooks people of the "breaking clay sports". Missing just shows them they don't like it.
In my experience, I'd say you can hit anything on the skeet range with a 410 or 28 gauge half ounce load that you would have hit with any other shotgun of any gauge. On the trap range is going to be a little different story as the birds are leaving the trap 16 yards away and probably doubling that most of the time before you hit them. Now shooting them at home from hand thrown, it won't make a bit of difference. You will love it.
Next suggestion is I would not get a pump or a semi-auto for what you are planning. Get a break action, prefer a double. Last if you can swing it would be like hitting the jack pot, screw in chokes for both barrels, but all of my 410s are fixed, full choke.
Last if it were me starting over with what I know now but no gun and going looking to buy one, I'd get a 20 gauge like I've described above. A break action O/U sporting gun with screw in chokes. You can easily clean the whole gun after shooting it all day long in 5 minutes and it is a lot easier to keep control of all that is going on with students learning and beginners you are loaning it to.
The reason being if you get a reloader you can load those down to 410 and 28 gauge levels, 1/2 oz. If you CHOOSE you can bump them up to 12 gauge levels, 1oz or may be 1 1/8 oz I think. I believe you can even buy target loads at all those levels as well and the cost of shells is a lot less than either 410 or 28 gauge.
If it were me, going out to buy a gun to do what you described you want it for, I would buy this Weatherby right here. Orion Sporting with the adjustable comb, in 20 gauge. I know around here you can order that gun brand new and buy it from an LGS for less than $850.
Right now 410 and 28 gauge AA shells are $10 a box at Walmart give or take a quarter and Winchester has a $2 rebate on them per box. 20 and 12s I believe are $7 a box with and also have a $2 rebate.
Remington target loads are similar in the final cost.