28 gauge

28 gauge, In upland game hunting and skeet shooting circles, the 28 gauge shotgun is fairly common, but it ranks lower in popularity than the 12 and 20 gauges. Although it is much more powerful than the.410 bore, even in a lighter gun, it still recoils very gently. The 28 gauge is frequently found in a variety of shotguns that are lightweight and portable.

Although it’s not common, ammunition is also not uncommon. The smaller 6, 7 1/2, 8, and 9 shot sizes are the most common for 28 gauge ammunition and are perfect for skeet shooting as well as hunting squirrels, rabbits, doves, grouse, and quail.

For upland hunters, is the 28-gauge the ideal shotgun gauge?

One of the main attractions of hunting is the element of uncertainty. Whitetail deer do exactly what they should, except when they don’t, according to my first book. I’ve since come to believe that ruffed grouse are even more enigmatic than whitetail. Because of this and my own experiences, I have a strong preference for the 28, a fantastic sub-gauge that is becoming more and more well-liked.

For upland hunters, is the 28-gauge the ideal shotgun gauge?

One of the main attractions of hunting is the element of uncertainty. Whitetail deer do exactly what they should, except when they don’t, according to my first book. Ever since, I’ve been convinced that ruffed grouse are

I have developed a fondness for the 28-gauge shotgun, weighing 150 pounds soaking wet. A recent hunting trip involved three of us carrying 28s of different models and makes. Limits of woodcock and ruffed grouse were seen in the preceding days under trees covered in leaves, which I refer to as “Mars.” We used a variety of shells from different manufacturers, ranging from #8 lead to #6 and #7 bismuth. They all worked.

I have seen shooters of all skill levels push their limits on huns and sharptails and shoot 28-gauges for the first time on numerous occasions. When I first took a 28-gauge into the prairie, I got a double on Hungarian partridge in addition to bird limits. In short, both I and others have discovered the 28-gauge to

The History of the 28-Gauge

Step back into the late 19th century, a period often referred to as the golden age of shotguns, and you’ll find a very different landscape of popular gauges compared to today. The 8-gauge and 10-gauge were widely used and commonly accepted, while the 12-gauge had already begun to establish itself as the favored “pigeon gun,” enjoying broader popularity. In many circles, the 16-gauge was more prominent than the 20-gauge.

The era also included a fascinating mix of now-obscure gauges, such as the 2-bore, 4-bore, 14-bore, 24-bore, and the .360, which is even smaller than the modern .410 bore. While some of these gauges, like the 32-gauge, can occasionally be found today, sourcing ammunition for them is an entirely different challenge.

The 28-gauge, however, has managed to endure over time. American gunmaker Parker Bros. is often credited with creating the 28-gauge in 1903, though this is more myth than fact.

Moser and his colleagues’ 2014 study demonstrated a clear relationship between this “square load” ratio and a load’s efficiency. The test measured pattern efficiency in a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. The efficiency was determined by dividing the total number of shell pellets by the number of pellets on target. To put it briefly, the 20-gauge and 16-gauge both performed better than the 28-gauge. The study did not include the 12-gauge.

28 vs 410

By definition, a ¾ oz 28 ga load is not “square,” despite the fact that many people call it that. A ¾ oz lead payload column height at a bore diameter of 0.55″ is roughly an inch (1″/.55″ = 1.8); it is not particularly square.

Adam Moser, Federal Ammunition’s Director of Product Engineering
Even though a lot of people mention

Are Other Gauges Better Than the 28-Gauge for Patterning?

The quick answer? It’s complicated. Larger gauges often benefit more from the principles of square loads, as we’ve discussed before. However, modern shotshell construction, particularly the use of shotcups, introduces additional variables.

The square load concept addresses pellet deformation—how pellets are affected as they travel through the barrel and exit the muzzle. In smaller gauges, firing a larger volume of shot through a narrower bore can lead to greater pellet deformation, distorting the shot pattern and reducing accuracy. Modern shotcups, however, help minimize deformation by cushioning the pellets during firing and reducing barrel contact, making the traditional theories of square loads and pellet deformation less impactful.

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Where the 28-gauge truly shines is in its shot string performance. The shot string refers to the number of pellets that reach the target at the same time. A well-formed shot string ensures consistent and effective target coverage, and the 28-gauge excels in this area, delivering a balanced and efficient pattern.

His book, Shotgunning: The Art and Science, stands as a testament to his contributions to the understanding of shotgun ballistics. When it came to the 28-gauge, he was a steadfast advocate. In his writings, experiments, and reflections, the 28-gauge consistently outperformed expectations.

28 

One of the key pieces of evidence Brister used to champion the 28-gauge was its shot string performance. He observed: “The 28-gauge struck the pattern board with such force that it jarred out one of the thumbtacks holding the paper.” This vivid demonstration underscored the gauge’s surprising efficiency.

Brister also references H. A. Ivatt, who was the first to study shot string in 1890. Ivatt’s experiment involved a train moving at 11 mph. However, this speed proved too slow to reveal any significant changes in the shot string, leaving further investigation necessary to understand the phenomenon.

Additional Factors That Make the 28-Gauge the Best Gauge

Hunting wild birds is central to the Project Upland ethos, as is evaluating the practicality of hunting equipment for such pursuits. A perfect example is the grouse gun, which William Harnden Foster described as “the one that a certain hunter will find most pleasant to carry to the spot where a grouse is to be shot at, and there prove most efficient when the shot is made.”

One of the defining characteristics of an ideal grouse gun is its weight. The 1888 publication Modern Shot Guns noted that “a 28-gauge double gun with 26-inch barrels should weigh less than 4½ lbs.” This makes it significantly lighter than its more popular counterparts, enhancing its portability and comfort for upland hunters navigating dense cover or rugged terrain.

As shotgun expert Bob Brister put it: “The exception is the 28-gauge, which simply kills.” This succinct endorsement highlights the gauge’s remarkable balance of lightweight design, ease of handling, and undeniable effectiveness in the field.

“Try it on this drive,” I said. “Just this once.”

I slipped the lightweight 28-gauge semi-auto past my old friend’s skeptical gaze. Last fall, we were pheasant hunting at the renowned Scattergun Lodge, an exceptional preserve located east of Pierre, South Dakota.

The grumpy yet seasoned hunter Jim Zumbo swung his hefty Mossberg Model 930 Pro-Series Sporting semi-auto back toward me. “You hunt pheasants with a 12-gauge,” he declared, dismissing my suggestion. With his 12-gauge, he had been consistently knocking down nearly every hard-flying rooster our small group flushed. “Besides,” he added, “I’ve never shot a 28-gauge in my life.”

Unfazed, I gladly took the small gun in hand and ventured forward. We moved through deep grass, across a cedar windbreak, and into a stand of red milo stalks on our next pass. At that moment, our guide, Eric Ross, made the call.

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