28ga-or 20ga

I've never shot a 28, but I moved from a 12 to a 20 this past season for turkey hunting. To me, there is little to no recoil. I plan on getting my little girl on this gun in a few years. Best of luck hunting! I'd sight it in for him, to where he just has to take a few practice shots - you know he won't feel any kick when shooting at a turkey!

fireduck said:

Grandson will be 9 before dove season. Moving up from 410. Will 28ga be much less recoil than a 20ga? I know 28 shells are harder to find and more expensive. Most likely to buy a pump- but might consider a automatic? Will wait till he gets a little older and buy a better gun, new or used. Thanks fireduck

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I have a set up for skeet with Briley tubes .410, 28, 20 & 12. Light load 20's are not much different than 28's. You can get both in 3/4 oz loads so the recoil will be the same. I would go with the 20 because you are going to have more options and much easier to find and less expensive shells.

I would go 20 gauge. Things to consider will be what action gun. A gas system will be less recoil for the shooter. They tend to be heavier than others though. I am a fan of the inertia system, but they can have a kick. Might be good to find someone that has something similar for them to shoot before you purchase.

A 28 will be very similar recoil to a 20. Ammo for the 20 will be less expensive and much easier to find. If you do end up going with the 28, I have a decent amount of ammo to sell.

FredRog72 said:

A 28 will be very similar recoil to a 20. Ammo for the 20 will be less expensive and much easier to find. If you do end up going with the 28, I have a decent amount of ammo to sell.

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Thanks for your help! The weight of the gun will be important. Hatsan weighs 6lb and so does the Tristar- mossberg weighs 5.5lb and this will be important, what I read shows 20ga with just a little more recoil. 20ga shells will be much easier to get- but we have not ruled out 28ga. Thanks Kenny

The benelli montefeltro would be the lightest autoloader I believe (but hard to find for less than $1200)

The old rem 1100 LT 20g is really light as well... may be able to find one at a gun show

Typical 28g shells are 3/4, 7/8, and 1 oz. An ounce at 1200fps generates the same recoil weather fired from 28 or 20.... assuming the guns weigh the same. But...you can shoot much milder 3/4 oz loads. The 20 will have the advantage of easy to find tss should turkey hunting be in the future. And I've been seeing 28g ammo in most places lately...even Walmart. It's not hard to find.
Personally, I would go 28g if small game, dove, etc was all to be hunted. Something about a 28...love them.
If slugs, tss, etc were to be an ammo need in the future...then go with the 20g.
Just my .02 cents.

fireduck said:

Thanks for your help! The weight of the gun will be important. Hatsan weighs 6lb and so does the Tristar- mossberg weighs 5.5lb and this will be important, what I read shows 20ga with just a little more recoil. 20ga shells will be much easier to get- but we have not ruled out 28ga. Thanks Kenny

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You can weight the stock with a taped roll of pennies or washers to dampen recoil under the buttpad. It works.

Depending on his size, I would go with a Remington 870 Youth 20 ga.

I can't find 20ga. or .410 shells. I would wait a little longer and move him straight to a 12ga.

I'd get the 20ga.

Be mindful of the weight of the gun, 28 or 20. I shot a friend's ultra light weight 28 o/u with a standard skeet load and it HURT.

My Granddaughters got Savage 555 Youth 28 gauge O/U shotguns for Christmas. They're 12 and 13 years old and are loving their shotguns and busting clays. The guns weigh in at 5lbs, have 24" barrels and with 7/8 oz loads the recoil is mild. It also comes in 20 and .410.

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Either is a great choice. That being said I've always been a 20 gauge man myself.

fireduck said:

The weight of the gun might be a problem. Looked at the Mossberg SA 20 bantam automatic-comes in at 5.5 pounds- just perfect for my grandson. Does this gun have problems shooting light load 20ga shells? Thanks

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Not sure about the Ssavage, but the Weatherby SA20 that my wife has (maybe same gun, just different branding?) has an adjustable recoil/gas system that allows you to switch between field and target loads.