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

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

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28 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge: which sub-gauge is better for clays, upland, waterfowl, and recoil-sensitive shooters?

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

20 Gauge and 28 Gauge shells displayed side by side, showing the hull and bore size difference between the two sub-gauges

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.

20 Gauge and 28 Gauge shell base diameters compared side by side, showing the 0.065-inch bore difference that drives payload, recoil, and pattern density

Favorite Loads

Use Case Winner Shells
Skeet/Trap/Sporting Clays 20 Gauge Federal All American ⅞ oz #7-½
Upland Hunting 28 Gauge Winchester Super-X 1 oz #7-½
Waterfowl Hunting 20 Gauge Winchester Drylok Super Steel ¾ oz #4

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

Winchester Super-X 28 Gauge Ammo - 250 Rounds of 2-3/4" 1 oz. #7-1/2 Shot Ammunition

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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.

I grew up firing my pump-action 20 Gauge at ducks, rabbits, dove, and clays as a small-framed kid ("100 pounds soaking wet," as they say). I didn't have any problems with it. When my 10-year-old cousin was just getting into duck hunting, he used my 20 Gauge to harvest his first. That's only to say that the 28 Gauge may have less recoil, but the 20 Gauge isn't shoulder-breaking by even novice or recoil-sensitive hunters' standards.

20 Gauge vs. 28 Gauge Pattern Density & Range

The 20 Gauge has a slightly farther range and maintains tighter pattern density than the 28 Gauge. Since 20 Gauge shells hold more pellets, they can put more holes into their target. That means fewer misses. The two shells' effective ranges really aren't all that different, though. You might be able to squeeze out a few extra yards out of the 20 Gauge, but most shooters won't notice a huge advantage over the 28 Gauge.

Stopping Power

The 20 Gauge and 28 Gauge are often incorrectly thought of as underpowered for many applications. With the proper load, the 20 Gauge delivers enough stopping power to ethically harvest deer at close range. So long as it is loaded with #5 or larger shot, I wouldn't hesitate to use either for home defense. You don't need a 12 Gauge to achieve the necessary stopping power for hunting and home defense.

Hunting

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Only a few hunters use the 28 Gauge for anything other than small game and upland hunting. I know of a select group of turkey hunters who love to challenge themselves with small-bore shotguns like the 28 Gauge, but most turkey hunters use a 20 or a 12 Gauge.

The 20 Gauge is much more versatile, with a variety of hunting loads readily available. It can ethically harvest anything from delicate upland birds to whitetail deer. I've harvested countless ducks, doves, and rabbits with my 20 Gauge, and plan to pass it down to my kids to do the same.

For load recommendations across upland, waterfowl, and deer hunting, check our guide to the best 20 gauge ammo.

Ammo & Gun Cost/Availability

For shotgunners on a tight budget, the 20 Gauge is the way to go. It has many more reasonably priced ammo and gun options than the 28 Gauge. The 28 Gauge is far more niche by comparison, with only a few manufacturers producing shotguns and ammo for it. For range-day volume, check our selection of bulk 20 gauge ammo.

Parting Shots: 28 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge

20 Gauge and 28 Gauge shells displayed side by side outdoors for a final comparison of the two sub-gauges

The 28 and 20 Gauge are similar in several ways, but different enough to justify a strong preference for one over the other. It ultimately boils down to personal preference. If you're still weighing sub-gauges, also see our 28 Gauge vs. 410 Bore comparison.

Choose the 28 Gauge If…

You are recoil-sensitive, only plan to shoot clays or hunt small/upland game, and don't mind paying more for your shotgun and ammo.

Choose the 20 Gauge If…

You're on a tighter budget and desire more hunting versatility out of your shotgun.

Wes Littlefield
Written by
Wes Littlefield

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