28 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge: Which Sub-Gauge Is Better?

Sub-gauges like the 20 Gauge and 28 Gauge have surged in popularity in recent years for many reasons. I love to see it, because I grew up dove and duck hunting with sub-gauges like the 410 Bore and 20 Gauge.

In this article, we’ll compare the 28 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge in terms of size (the bore and the shell), recoil, patterning, stopping power, and hunting capabilities. Let’s see just how different these shotgun gauges are from one another!

What Makes These Gauges Different

• Size – The 20 Gauge has a larger bore diameter: 0.615″, compared to 0.550″ for the 28 Gauge. Both gauges commonly offer shells in 2-¾ or 3″ lengths. The bigger size of the 20 Gauge generally allows for a heavier payload: ⅞ to 1-¼ ounces, whereas the smaller 28 Gauge usually has ¾ to 1 ounces.

• Recoil – The 28 Gauge has noticeably less recoil than the 20 Gauge. The 28 Gauge generates about 12.5 ft-lbs of recoil energy; the 20 Gauge, about 16 to 21 ft-lbs.

• Pattern – The 20 Gauge’s larger hull holds more shot pellets, the reason why it produces a wider, denser pattern than the 28 Gauge.

• Ease of shooting – The 28 Gauge is easier to shoot than the 20 Gauge because of its lower recoil and lighter shotguns.

• Stopping power – The 20 Gauge’s larger size and heavier shot column grant it more stopping power than the 28 Gauge.

• Hunting – The 20-Gauge is the more versatile hunting round for upland birds, waterfowl, small game, turkey, and deer. The 28-Gauge is primarily limited to small game and upland bird hunting.

Bore Sizes

At first glance, these two shells could easily be mistaken for one another. The 20 Gauge has a bore diameter of 0.615″; the 28 Gauge 0.550″. That 0.065″ diameter difference may be barely perceptible to the naked eye, but it has a significant impact on performance.

Favorite Loads

Which Gauge Is Easier to Shoot?

Each gauge has distinct advantages over the other. Understanding them is easy, and will help you determine which is the better choice for your needs.

28 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Recoil

The 28 Gauge is the better option for recoil-sensitive shooters. It has noticeably less recoil than the 20 Gauge. The 28 Gauge produces ~12.5 ft-lbs of recoil energy; the 20 Gauge, ~16 to 21 ft-lbs.

Read the full comparison here: https://ammo.com/comparison/28-gauge-vs-20-gauge

Source: https://freedombunker.com/2026/05/14/28-gauge-vs-20-gauge/