01 / At a glance
The basics
- Origin
- Traditional bore system
- Introduced
- Long-standing
- Ignition
- Centerfire
- Case form
- Rimmed shotshell
- Diameter
- Gauge
- Case length
- 70 / 76 mm
Rounded values to help you identify the cartridge, not manufacturing drawings. See the cited standard for exact dimensions and tolerances.
Do not mix it up
A 28 gauge shell can slip into a 12 gauge chamber and lodge in the barrel, where it blocks the next shell. Never keep different gauges together.
The 28 gauge is a small, light shotgun size that sits between the 20 gauge and the .410 bore. A standard load carries 3/4 ounce of shot, the guns are slim and quick, and the recoil is very mild. It has a loyal following among upland bird hunters, who like it for quail and doves, and among skeet shooters, who use it in the 28 gauge event.
Like any shotshell, the 28 gauge has several variables: shell length, shot size, load weight and choke. This guide explains each one, shows how to choose a shell and a shotgun, and compares the 28 gauge with the 20 gauge, the .410 bore and other sizes. It is a reference page, not a loading manual, and it contains no handloading data.
A short history
The word "gauge" comes from an old British system. A 28 gauge bore is the diameter of a lead ball that weighs one twenty-eighth of a pound, so twenty-eight such balls weigh a pound. A smaller number means a larger bore, which is why the 12 gauge is bigger than the 28. The bore of a 28 gauge measures about .550 inch (14 mm).
The 28 gauge is a good deal younger than the 12 and 20. It became established in the United States in the early 20th century, when American makers began to offer a light gauge for upland birds and target work. It was never as popular as the larger sizes, and for decades the guns were made in small numbers, mostly as fine doubles.
It has had a revival in recent years. Better wads, better powders and a growing interest in light, well-balanced guns have led more makers to offer 28 gauge shotguns, and more ammunition companies to load it. It is no longer a rare gauge, although it is still more expensive to shoot than the 12 or 20.
Why it is so popular
The first reason is handling. A 28 gauge shotgun is often a half pound or more lighter than a 20 gauge, and it is slimmer and livelier in the hands. Over a day of walking after quail or doves, that is noticeable. Many hunters say it feels like part of the arm.
The second reason is recoil. A 3/4 ounce load in a six pound gun kicks very little. That makes the 28 gauge a pleasant gun for shooters who dislike recoil, and for those who shoot a lot of targets in a day.
The third reason is performance for its size. A 28 gauge with a good choke and a quality load patterns very well. Within about 30 yards, it kills small birds cleanly. Many shooters find that it does most of what a 20 gauge does on upland birds, in a smaller package.
Specifications at a glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Nominal bore diameter | About .550 in (14 mm) |
| Common shell lengths | 2¾ in (70 mm) and 3 in (76 mm) |
| Maximum average pressure (SAAMI) | 12,500 psi for 2¾ in shells |
| Common shot loads | 3/4 oz and 7/8 oz in 2¾ in shells; 1 oz in 3 in shells |
| Typical velocity | About 1,200 to 1,300 ft/s for shot loads |
| Common shot sizes | #9 to #4; larger sizes are less common |
| Slug weight | About 5/8 oz; few slug loads are made |
| Typical gun weight | About 5 to 6½ lb |
Values are rounded for reference. Exact dimensions and tolerances are in the SAAMI and C.I.P. standards cited at the end of this page.
Strengths and limits
The 28 gauge is a light, friendly gun. It also has trade-offs you should know about.
| Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|
| Light gun, very soft recoil | Smaller shot charge than a 20 or 12 gauge |
| Good patterns with a quality load | Fewer choices of shells, especially in specialty loads |
| Slim, fast-handling guns | Shells cost noticeably more than 12 or 20 gauge |
| Well suited to quail, doves and skeet | Not a good choice for geese, large turkeys or slugs on big game |
The 28 gauge does best on small and medium birds at moderate range. A shooter who wants one gun for everything will find it limited. A shooter who wants a gun for quail, doves and clays will find little to complain about.
Ammunition is the main cost
The guns are often not much more expensive than other gauges, but the shells are. A box of 28 gauge target shells usually costs noticeably more than a box of 12 gauge. Some shooters reload to reduce this. Others accept the cost for the fun of the gun.
Shot size and what it does
A shotshell fires many pellets rather than one bullet, so pellet size and count matter more than a single trajectory. Smaller shot gives more pellets and denser patterns but less energy per pellet. Larger shot gives fewer pellets with more punch.
A typical 28 gauge load carries 3/4 ounce of shot. That means a 3/4 ounce load of #8 holds about 310 pellets, a load of #7½ about 260, and a load of #6 about 170. The chart shows lead shot. Steel, bismuth and tungsten alloys have different densities, so the numbers per ounce are different. Check the box.
| Use | Common shot sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skeet | #9 | 3/4 oz target loads are standard |
| Sporting clays | #8 and #7½ | Light target loads; more reach on longer targets |
| Dove and quail | #7½ to #8 | Small, fast birds at 20 to 30 yards |
| Woodcock and snipe | #8 to #9 | Light shot and open chokes |
| Pheasant and grouse | #6 to #5 | Use 3 inch loads and shorter shots |
Pellet counts are approximate for lead shot and vary slightly by maker. Always read the box and pattern your shotgun, because every barrel and choke combination shoots a little differently.
Recoil and shooter comfort
Recoil comes from the weight of the shot charge, the velocity and the weight of the gun. A 3/4 ounce target load in a six pound 28 gauge is very mild, softer than a light 20 gauge load. A 3 inch shell with a full ounce of shot in a light gun can be sharper than people expect.
A good stock fit still matters. A slim gun that fits well is a pleasure to shoot all day. A gun that does not fit will bruise the face or shoulder, even with a small shell. Gas-operated semi-automatics soften the kick compared with fixed-breech guns, though many 28 gauge shooters prefer a light double.
How to choose a shell
Start with the job. Then choose the shell length, the shot size and the load weight.
Shell length
| Length | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2¾ in (70 mm) | Targets, upland birds | The standard; fits every 28 gauge |
| 3 in (76 mm) | Larger upland birds, more shot | Needs a 3 inch chamber; carries 1 oz of shot |
Load weight
A 3/4 ounce load is the standard for clays and upland birds. A 7/8 ounce load is a little heavier and appears in some hunting loads. A 1 ounce load in a 3 inch shell gives more pellets for larger birds and longer shots, and it kicks more.
Lead and non-toxic shot
Many wetlands and some other areas require non-toxic shot such as steel, bismuth or tungsten alloys. Steel is harder and lighter than lead, so it patterns differently, and a 28 gauge does not carry enough steel to be an effective duck load for most hunters. Check the rules where you hunt before you buy shells.
Slugs
A few makers offer 28 gauge slugs, but the choice is small and the energy is low. For deer and similar game, a larger gauge or a rifle is a better tool.
How to choose a shotgun
The right shotgun depends on what you plan to shoot. These are the points that matter most.
- Action. Over-and-under and side-by-side guns are classic for upland birds and clay targets and are the most common 28 gauge guns. Semi-automatics and pumps exist, and they soften recoil or cost less.
- Frame size. Some 28 gauge guns are built on a 20 gauge frame, which makes them heavier and steadier. Others use a smaller, lighter frame, which is livelier.
- Chamber length. Check the barrel. A 3 inch chamber fires 2¾ and 3 inch shells. A 2¾ inch chamber must only fire 2¾ inch shells.
- Barrel length. Barrels of 26 to 28 inches suit upland birds and clay targets. Shorter barrels are handier in thick cover.
- Interchangeable chokes. Screw-in tubes let you change the pattern for each use. Check that they suit the shot you plan to use.
- Fit and weight. A gun that fits you shoots better and hurts less. Try a few before you buy.
Chokes and patterning
A choke is a narrowing at the muzzle that controls how tightly the shot spreads. A tighter choke holds the pattern together for longer shots. A more open choke gives a wider pattern for close targets. Because a 28 gauge carries fewer pellets than a 20 or 12, the right choice matters, and many shooters use open chokes for close birds.
| Choke | Constriction | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Cylinder | None | Very close range, thick cover |
| Skeet | Very light | Skeet and close birds |
| Improved cylinder | Light | Upland birds, 20 to 30 yards |
| Modified | Medium | All-around, 30 to 35 yards |
| Full | Tight | Long shots; rarely needed in a 28 gauge |
Patterning means firing at a large sheet of paper at 40 yards and counting the pellets inside a 30 inch circle. It shows how your gun, load and choke work together. Pattern before the season, not during it.
Practical uses
Upland birds
This is the 28 gauge's home ground. For quail, doves, woodcock and similar birds, a light gun with a 3/4 ounce load of #7½ or #8 is a joy to carry and effective at normal ranges. For pheasants and grouse, a 3 inch shell with a larger shot size and a careful shot works, though a 20 gauge has more margin.
Skeet
The 28 gauge is one of the four gauges in skeet competition, alongside the 12, 20 and .410. Shooters like it because the recoil is very low and the targets are close.
Sporting clays
It is used in sporting clays too, with a good choke and #8 shot, for targets inside about 35 yards. Longer or tougher targets are easier with a bigger gauge.
Youth and recoil-sensitive shooters
The light recoil makes a 28 gauge a possible choice for a young or small shooter. The 20 gauge is usually easier to find and to feed, and its larger pattern is more forgiving on moving targets. Choose by fit and by what the shooter is comfortable with.
28 gauge vs similar gauges
The table lists the gauges most often compared with the 28 gauge. Figures are rounded.
| Gauge | Bore diameter | Common shot load | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 gauge | .729 in | 1 to 1⅜ oz | All-round hunting and clays |
| 16 gauge | .662 in | 1 to 1⅛ oz | Upland birds |
| 20 gauge | .615 in | 3/4 to 1 oz | Upland birds, light hunting and clays |
| 28 gauge | .550 in | 3/4 oz | Quail, doves and skeet |
| .410 bore | .410 in | 1/2 to 11/16 oz | Small game, youth and skeet |
Against the 20 gauge, the 28 gauge is lighter and softer-shooting, and it has a smaller shot charge and a smaller margin. Against the .410, it carries more shot and patterns much better, which makes it a far better hunting gun. Against the 12 gauge, it is a different tool, light and quick rather than versatile.
Care and storage
Clean the barrel after each session, pushing a brush and patch through the bore and checking the choke tube threads. Wipe the action and apply a light oil. Store shells in a cool, dry place, away from other gauges. Keep firearms and ammunition locked and out of reach of children and unauthorized users.
Safety and common mistakes
- Never keep 28 gauge shells with 12 gauge shells. A 28 gauge shell can slip into a 12 gauge chamber and lodge in the barrel, where it blocks the next shell. Firing a 12 gauge shell behind it can burst the barrel.
- Check the gauge marked on the barrel before you load. Match the shell to the gun every time.
- Do not fire a 3 inch shell in a gun with a 2¾ inch chamber.
- Treat every firearm as loaded. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
- Know your target and what is beyond it. Shot can travel a long way.
- Wear eye and ear protection. Shot can bounce back from hard targets, and the muzzle blast is loud.
- If you reload, use only published data from a current manual and start low. This page does not contain loading data.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 28 gauge good for hunting?
Yes, for small and medium birds such as quail, doves and woodcock at moderate range. It is less suitable for large birds, long shots and big game.
What is the difference between 28 gauge and 20 gauge?
The 28 gauge has a smaller bore, a lighter gun and a 3/4 ounce shot charge, against 7/8 to 1 ounce for the 20 gauge. It recoils less and costs more per shell.
Why are 28 gauge shells so expensive?
They are made in smaller numbers than 12 and 20 gauge, so the cost per shell is higher. Many shooters reload to save money.
Can I shoot 28 gauge in a 12 gauge shotgun?
No. A 28 gauge shell can fall into the barrel of a 12 gauge and lodge there, where it blocks the next shell. Firing a 12 gauge shell behind it can burst the barrel. Never keep different gauges together.
Can a 28 gauge kill ducks and geese?
It can on close ducks with the right non-toxic shot, but most hunters find it underpowered. A 12 or 20 gauge is a better choice for waterfowl.
What shot size should I use?
#9 for skeet, #8 or #7½ for sporting clays, doves and quail, and #6 or #5 for pheasants and grouse. Check local rules for non-toxic shot.
Is 28 gauge good for beginners?
It has soft recoil, but the 20 gauge is easier to find, feed and hit with. The 28 gauge is better suited to someone with some experience who likes a light gun.
Can I reload 28 gauge shells?
Yes. Hulls, wads and powders for 28 gauge are available. Use only published data from a current loading manual and follow its safety instructions.
Sources
Sources reviewed · 29 October 2026