20GA vs. 28GA

[Curly]

I am buying a Browing BPS, and have put a 20 ga on layaway.    Curiosity has my attention with the 28 ga.   The gun would not be used for slugs, and only for skeet, and small game.    I was told that the shot charge would be a better pattern on the 28 due to a square load?    As long as it is wide?   Not sure about this, but would consider the 28.   I don't reload, and do realize the shell are slighly more expensive.    Does the pattering make up for the smaller shot charge?    Is there a recoil difference.   I would be using this gun to introduce my 10 yr old son the the clay sports.   Thanks  for the help.      Curly

[Graybeard]

There is no finer skeet gauge than the 28. To me it is perfection for the chore. For teaching a youngster to shoot a shotgun it is in my opinion superior to all others bar none. BUT if you don't reload it is expensive to shoot. As a game load it's not quite the equal of a 20 and the factory ammo is both cheaper and more widely available for a 20.

I think if you don't reload you'd be wiser buying a 20 but if a reloader the 28 has much to offer and lower cost is one of the benefits but not if you shoot factory ammo.

[Thomas Krupinski]

I hunt with both a 20 and a 28.  I reload for the 28 gauge and that give me more economy, but for your situation I would go with the 20 gauge.  I don't see any better patterning with one over the other.

You might consider a Remington 870 Express rather than the BPS.  With the 870 you can load from the side and not use the magazine which may be a plus for starting out your son hunting.  Nothing wrong with the Browning, but the Remington will be a little less expensive and I have had one in both 28 and 20.  Still have the 28 and will probably pick up another 20 gauge 870 Express.  I prefer the older ones without that trigger lock.

[MGMorden]

I prefer the older ones without that trigger lock.

Amen to that.  I learned the hard way that you can lock it without the trigger but not the reverse (just putting the tip of a knife and turning will lock it).   I have no idea where the key is to mine (I don't think I've ever even seen it), so I ended up having to dissassemble the entire trigger group to get the safety unlocked again.  I'll eventually try to find an older safety without the lock that I can pop in.

[kenscot]

I have bps 28 gauge I love it to me there is a big differance in recoil as far as patterning and game taking goes the pheasants and grouse i've shot don't seem to notice I'm killing them with a lesser gauge. grat gun for teaching kids and recoil shy adults. Ammo price  :shock:  Oh well I guess you can't have everything :-)