Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns 28 gauge or .410?

How do the .410 and 28 gauge compare?

Looking to buy a new pump shotgun in .410, and found that 28 gauge ammo is way more available than .410.

How is the recoil difference? Seems like it should be close?

Virgil B.

28ga is much better for hunting IMO. You can even get 1oz loads. Recoil? What recoil?
Go with the 28 and don't look back.

Happy Thanksgiving

teamprairiedog;

Thanks for the reply! The more I think about it, the better I like the idea of a 28 gauge.

I've never owned a 28 before! Must be about time!

Besides that, my son-in-law is also thinking about an upland bird gun in 28 gauge, and maybe we could set up for reloading both guns.

I've never looked at .410 and 28 gauge shells side by side, but they must be pretty close?

Anyone have picture to compare? Thanks!

Virgil B.

They’re not close....The size of the bore it comes out of is the .410's downfall....

However, dig deep for TSS shot and the .410 becomes a player....

If a 410 was named as a gauge, it would be 67 gauge.
Think about the difference between 12 and twenty,
Now think 28 vs 67.

The standard 2 1/2" .410 load is 1/2 ounce. The standard 28 ga load is 3/4 ounce. 50% more shot.

3" 410 shells have 11/16 ounce of shot, but don't pattern anywhere near as well as a 3/4 ounce 28.

The 28 ga is definitely a better killer of game once you get past 20 yards or so, but I thought we were killing pests in the back yard?

Dillonbuck;

That puts in in perspective! Now I can see how the 28 is way more effective.

Virgil B.

I am killing pests, but maybe the better pattern of a 28 gauge would help my connect a little better.

I have a 12 gauge and a single shot .410

Got my mind made up, I "need" a low recoil repeater for killing pests!

It's an excuse to buy another shotgun, and the 28 gauge is sounding good!

Virgil B.

20 gauge...

Have both. Go with the 28 ga.

DF

It’s been a goal of mine to get an example of all popular gauges for awhile. Just recently picked up a new Tristar Viper G2 in .410 to round out the string. Haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet but looking forward to using it along side of the 28 gauge. I guess my suggestion is why fight it and just get both. That way you’ll sleep better not wondering if you made the right choice. Consider it an investment in your health. Dave

Back years ago, I was gun trading, had the choice between a Winchester (Miroku) .410 O/U and a 28. I chose the .410, which eventually went down the road. The 28 ga. value went way up, multiple of what I would have had in it and I sometimes think what if... Back then I wasn’t familiar with the 28, was with the .410.

I now have a 28 ga Merkel O/U which is a much nicer gun than the Winchester. But I may have kept the Winchester 28 ga. I also have 28 ga. Rem 1100 and an Ohio Ithaca 28.

I really like 28 ga. A serious 28 fan needs to reload. I do.

DF

28 and don't look back. I have shot a 28 for almost 40 years. They are sweet and easy to reload. I'll warn you that they are the heroin of scatterguns.

Another vote for the 28 gauge.
I've been shooting them for years and love them
Pheasants fear my Browning Superposed 28 choked Skeet and Skeet. I seem to make the best shots with a 28.
A 410 is great and everyone should have at least one.
But a 28 is a serious bird gun!
Good luck,
Ed

Went to my local gun shop yesterday, and tried to order a BPS 28 gauge.

They said all there distributors were "out of stock"

So, I went by the Cabela's over in Springfield (Or.) just to look at a BPS, and they had a Browning BPS "in stock'" in .410!

It followed me home! $ 649 .out the door.

Still want a 28 gauge, and will end up with one eventually, to go with my new .410

One happy old goat! Virgil B.

The Winchester AA Super Sporting 8's will kill rats and other small vermin dead-dead out to about 25 yards. They are usually a couple dollars cheaper than the typical 2 1/2" field load #6 or #7 1/2.

mag410;

Thanks! I'll watch for Winchester AA Super Sporting 8's when I can find some .410 again.

Virgil B.

Been using my CZ 28ga for quite a few years now. It’s my favorite gauge for pheasants and grouse.

Anyone have any "leads" on where to buy Winchester AA or other .410 shells "in stock" right now?

Thanks!

Virgil B.

Cabelas has some. It’s hit or miss though.