hi shaner -
the recoil on the 28 ga pardner is light with a 3/4 oz load. it feels about the same as a 11/16 oz field load on the 410. it's a close call if anything. but it is much less than a 20 gauge.
i like the gun as nice as it is , but i'm not convinced (yet) it would do any better than my 410. i need to try it out in the field.
havent reloaded for the 28 yet, i only shot a box through it so far, a mec jr may be here in the future if i end up liking it this fall.
my best guess is that this will probably be a good pheasant gun out to 20 yards or so with #6's, maybe good for quail using 8 1/2 or 9's
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i do like the modified choke over the full choke offered on most pardners. most people tend to over choke (full, X-full), and vaporize birds (i am guilty of that). it would be even better if it came with an improved cylinder choke.
my advice to myself is to stop jabbering and shoot the darn thing !
sg