20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Talk about 20 28 gauge & .410 bore shotguns here.
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jhogue
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20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by jhogue »

I just started my TSS journey and am loading both 12 and 20 Gauge this year. I see a lot of people using 28 Gauges and even .410s and have looked some into these options, but I keep coming back to the 20 Gauge in my head. What are real advantages of one or the other from guys that have shot a lot of both? I'm currently loading 1 7/16 ounce, 2 3/4" shells in the 20 Gauge with 17 grains of powder that seems pretty deadly and doesn't have much kick at all.

I'm thinking about getting an over and under next year in either 20 or 28 and don't think I can really go wrong either way. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments. :turkeywave:
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Waddle Whacker
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by Waddle Whacker »

I’m a 28 guy, have been for about 6 or 7 years now...but I did start with the 20. I don’t think there is any real advantage to the 28 over the 20....except cool factor. The guns tend to be light, but so are a lot of 20’s. On the pattern board, most 20’s have held a bit of an advantage over my 28’s. I’ve killed birds at 50+ with my 28’s. I don’t wanna shoot em any further than that. So I really don’t care if a 20 typically yields higher 10” numbers. As far as recoil, my SxS will kinda slap ya with 1-1/2oz loads, but my auto isn’t bad at all. The 28 fits my needs and is always a conversation piece. I just love a 28! That’s my vote, plus you already have a 20.
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howl
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by howl »

I think it comes down to the size and weight of gun you want. Whether or not you want a wider pattern might be another concern.
jhogue
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by jhogue »

howl wrote: November 29th, 2017, 3:50 pm I think it comes down to the size and weight of gun you want. Whether or not you want a wider pattern might be another concern.
So which are you saying I should expect a wider pattern? I've seen some strong patterns with both 20 and 28, are the 20's typically going to pattern better with similar payloads?
BumbleFoot
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by BumbleFoot »

[/quote]... are the 20's typically going to pattern better with similar payloads?
[/quote]

On average, yes...
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Waddle Whacker
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by Waddle Whacker »

You will be at no disadvantage whatsoever in the turkey woods with a 28 and 1-1/2ozs of 9’s. It’ll kill em just as dead as the 20. Just get what ya want. I will say, it’s probably likely that you won’t break 300. I’m sure it’s attainable and others have done it, but I have not. I haven’t really chased it too hard, either. I prefer a more open pattern anyway. If 300+ in the 10” is a must have for you...I’d recommend the 20.
~Franchi 48AL averages 240’s with 1-5/16 or 1-1/2oz 9’s, factory full
~CZ Bobwhite averages 260 in the tight barrel with 1-1/2oz.-XF; Open barrel with improved cyl will kill to 30.
~CZ Woodcock averages 210 with 1-5/16oz, XF...have yet to try the 1-1/2oz in that gun.
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Waddle Whacker
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by Waddle Whacker »

Oh...and I still consistently manage over 200 in the 10-20” with the Franchi and Bobwhite. Not sure on the Woodcock.
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DC1.
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by DC1. »

Go with the 410, lighter guns, cheaper to shoot and deadly out to 50 yards. (not hating on the 20 or 28 tho)
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howl
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by howl »

jhogue wrote: November 29th, 2017, 4:01 pm
howl wrote: November 29th, 2017, 3:50 pm I think it comes down to the size and weight of gun you want. Whether or not you want a wider pattern might be another concern.
So which are you saying I should expect a wider pattern? I've seen some strong patterns with both 20 and 28, are the 20's typically going to pattern better with similar payloads?
If you want to use less choke, you need more pellets. If you want a lighter payload, you have to choke it more.

I don't have a 28 here, because the company I wanted a gun from builds their 28s on 20 gauge frames. No point to the 28 over the 20 in that case. It can be the same deal with 28s and .410s. If they're both on the same frame, you might as well go with the 28 instead of the .410.
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by Waddle Whacker »

Not necessarily talking lighter payloads here. The 28 load that most, including myself, shoot, is actually heavier than the 20 gauge load he’s already shooting. There’s a 1-5/8oz load for the 28 floating around out there, as well ;)

Totally agree on the frame size, howl. Kinda pointless to shoot a 28 on a 20 frame.
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jhogue
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by jhogue »

Thanks for all the feedback. Gives me plenty to think about for both. I’m not concerned about weight, I honestly like it because it brings recoil down. I think I’ll go with 20 first and then maybe do 28 a few years later. It will be fun either way and both should be plenty effective.
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Re: 20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge

Post by 2Shooter »

I have both, and your good either way you go. The 20ga will out pattern the 28ga, and you can go with Hal's MOA 20ga load with 2 1/8 oz of shot, but man is it business on both ends!!! It's the cool factor to shoot the 28ga. That's one reason I have a 16ga turkey gun also, and it's light weight a Savage 220A single barrel.
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