28 gauge or 410 pros and con?

[Crowstalker]

That time we all get has came around again where we get an itch for another gun.

This time I am thinking of a small bore shot gun light in wieght and light recoiling for the good lady of the home.

She think my berreta semi auto is too heavy and kicks too hard with 28 gram loads, I have tried 21 gram loads and she thinks they are OK problem being they won't cycle and the weight of the gun.

I have thought about a light weight 12 gauge over and under but then if you make a lighter weight 12 gauge then it will kick more than the heavier one?

Hence the reason I'm thinking of a 28 or 410 that can be a lighter gun and shoot the lighter loads.

My main concern is the availability of ammo and the price of it not that we would be shooting a load so maybe that isn't such an issue.

Has any one any experience in a similar problem with a recoil sensitive person or even any advice on either calibre?

Regards
CS

 

[palmer_mike]

I have a on o/u yildiz 410. Originally bought with the intention of my son using it but if I’m honest (despite the short stock) I really like it too……
Very little recoil and ammo available anywhere really.

Its obviously not got the same range or pattern as a 12ga but effective if you keep range’s realistic

 

[Tegner]

Borrowed the daughters Lincoln 28g for most of last season - a pleasure to shoot no noticeable recoil (24g loads) very fast handling due to the light weight, i shot as well as i have with the beretta 12g, no noticeable loss of range and shot some nice high birds ( i am no great shot)

 

[Malxwal]

28g with light loads is great to shoot, and far more forgiving than a .410. As above, perfectly adequate for all but the extreme birds (with appropriate game loads, 21g and up).

 

[Smellydog]

28g is better than a 410 absolutely but also don't discount a 20g. Some cartridges are sweet in 20g too.

 

[the_greenman]

Have a 28 bore, probably my favourite gun to take on a shoot but the non lead ammunition issue is a concern.
For coaching clays I use a Kofs Sceptre 12bore - it weighs just 5lb and with 21g and 24g loads even slightly built youths can shoot it with no noticeable kick.

 

[Tollerman]

Availability of 20g cartridges in various loads including steel much greater.Something to consider when buying a new gun.

 

[J@son]

Another vote for 20g over 28g/410. Don't get me wrong 410s (and 28g) are great. But they are also limited. With a 20g you can stand alongside someone shooting 12g and - if you are a good enough shot - hold your own. Great as these smaller calibers are, you cannot really say the same of them. The pattern and power is much more of a limitation. I wouldn't be without my 410 but if it was my only shotgun I would rather have a 28g and if I was still worried about recoil I would try to address this through my choice of cartridge.

 

[JTO]

Apart from carrying weight, I can't see the appeal of firing 20-16 bore loads out of a tiny barrel.
Perceived 'kick' is down to momentum and fit.
A 12 bore with a light load would be my choice, especially if lead shot is banned.

 

[Kersnow]

With the lead ban on the horizon is it worth spending money on calibres where shells may be hard/impossible to find?

 

[Heym SR20]

It all comes down to gun fit and the cartridge.

My suggestion would be a 20bore game gun properly fitted, and then use light weight cartridges.

My daughter has a 20 bore AyA no3 and 24g Steel Gamebore or Eley just work well on phaesants and ducks. Both of use this little gun, and I find it no disadvantage to a 12.

As others have said 28s are wonderful but ammunition is, and I think always has been, expensive. And whilst there are a couple of options in non-toxic and doubtless more will come, they will always be harder to find.

If you want a semi have a look at the Franchi Afinity 20 bore. They have an adjustable stock via shims. I have a 12 bore left handed one and its great.

 

[Bowland blades]

better buying a 12 bore game gun then feeding it lighter loads . out of 410 and 28 g ? the latter kills a tad better ( might be the shorter string and the extra shot count?) my guess is more pellets though and lower pressures ?
Now unless someone is an incredible shotgunner the true humane range of a 410 is around 30 yards max . 21-24 gram loads in a 12 recoil will be less than the 20 with the same shot load .
I do like shooting 410 but take a day on clays with a few mates using 12 bore guns

 

[JTO]

On the back of the old 10/- gun license were recommended ranges for clean kills. 35 yards for 12 bore and 15 yards for .410.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

I do a good few days a year with my little 28 bore and absolutely love it.

I chose a 28 as its more usable than a 410, its an absolute peach to shoot also you have 21 gram of lead so still enough for a humane kill out to about 30 ish yards.

Late days in Jan hull high phestant 23 gram 5 Is brilliant and has zero felt recoil

 

[Bowland blades]

I do a good few days a year with my little 28 bore and absolutely love it.

I chose a 28 as its more usable than a 410, its an absolute peach to shoot also you have 21 gram of lead so still enough for a humane kill out to about 30 ish yards.

Late days in Jan hull high phestant 23 gram 5 Is brilliant and has zero felt recoil

thing is 21 gram is a 20 bore load indeed 21 gram loads are available in 12 bore . many / most 28 bores are built on 20 bore actions so i see zero point in them when your not gaining a smaller , lighter gun over all and the 20 bore on that same frame will recoil less

 

[Malxwal]

There's a joy in shooting 28 bore. Don't go over 24gr. Enjoy one now, and live in hope that the future will not be as bleak as some forecast.
I think you can get a 28b semi auto, which,if action specific, should be a very fleet and low recoiling thing, Armsan maybe ?

 

[cjm1066]

It used to be thought that a square shot load (as long as it is wide) was the optioum. Longer shot strings put more in contact with the barrel

 

[Essexsussex]

I’ve always been a “why bother less than 12b” character. I was fortunate enough to be offered the gun on a grouse but and didn’t really notice I was shooting a 28b. All round good killer but I suspect using lighter 20b loads and heavier 28b loads gives an equivalent gun.
My son has a 410, also good with the right cartridge but you would be paying a lot for heavy cartridges I suspect to try and do what it wasn’t quite made for.
My view is look for 20 or 28 and find one that fits and feels right.

 

[deerstalker.308]

28 is a revelation, I shoot better with that that my 12, and happily hold my own shooting with friends with 12 bores.
Ammo is expensive but if as you say you aren’t using it a lot does that really matter? Lead free is available but is very expensive, but again, realistically (certainly for my needs) a slab of bismuth whilst circa £400 would last me a few years of actual game shooting at the rate I do, and the clay ground sell lead cartridges for £10 a box which is still expensive but then quite frankly so are most cartridges these days.
In my humble opinion there is no finer caliber to shoot. 20 bore can be misleading and result in just as much if not more kick.

 

[Crowstalker]

This is why I like asking stuff on here so many different and equally valid points, its making me think one moment a 20b will be the right choice then someone comes along and says XYZ and I'm thinking ah 28g would be better

I think maybe just bring the Mrs along and see what actually fits her regardless of bore. That will probably be a far greater point over what bore.