28 Gauge Enough?

No, but I'm considering buying one. It's between the 20 and the 28.

It needs to be light w/o a long cumbersome barrel. We do a lot of hiking thru some pretty rough terrain.

The gun I'm looking at,and the one I can afford is available in both calibers, but their is no recoil pad. If I add one the LOP will be too long, and I don't want to have to have it shortened. This gun comes with a few chokes, by the way.

Another possibility is that I get the "short stock" version. It is a little short for me, but has a recoil pad. It only comes in the 20. It is "fixed" choked with IC and M. The barrel length on this one is only 22". I don't know, but that may be too short for my purposes.

Your opinions on the above are welcome.
 
I've killed quite a few jackrabbits with a .410 so I would have to say that a 28 gauge would work.I've never used a 28 gauge for shootin jackrabbits or anything else for that matter either so I can't say that it will I can only assume that it would work.I'd use the modified choke for shootin jackrabbits.I always like to use #4's when I'm shootin jacks with a shotgun.
 
If its just for shooting jacks buy the 20ga... Ammo prices for the 28 will drive you nuts unless you reload... I have both a 1100 20 and 28 I love the 28 but its stickly a quail and clays gun. The 20 gets used like a revolving door at a brothel....
 
For starters, I'm thinking 28ga shotshells aren't going to be easy to find just anywhere. I sure don't see them setting on the shelves of any stores I frequent. Maybe they are there and I just never noticed them?
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On the other hand I can find 20ga shotshells about anyplace that sells shotgun ammo.

As far as a recoil pad. A 20ga isn't known as a tooth loosening shotgun when shooting normal small game loads. Are you of very small stature, possibly a woman or very young child? If not, I don't think it will be much of a problem for you.

Who is the manufacturer of these shotguns you're looking at and considering? Got a link to them you can throw on here?

Rossi/H&R break open single shots?
 
I sold them for a while what you were told it true from what I have seen.....I would be going with the 20ga for sure! Well
for me any ways! it is way more versatile and the ammo is cheaper/more available and you can shoot it for ducks and geese with steel. I also use it for new shooters that want to learn as it is light recoiling. I have owned a 28ga Beretta
silver pigeon and I loved it except for the ammo prices and availability sold it and bought a 20ga Browning gold Fusion
and it has become one of my favorite guns for almost all my hunting!
 
I didn't have a problem finding shell's but they are expensive. I bought a flat of target loads and a Mec 600Jr. So much for expence.

As far as being enough for jack's. I used to shoot a 12ga when I trainede dogs. Didn't care much for recoil so I loaded them with 1 1/8th oz #6 for training and hunting. Then went to a 16gs and load it with 1 oz #6 for hunting. In my 28 I'm just getting going with it but, a piece of #6 or #4 shot going 1200fps from any one of those loads is still going 1200fps in the other's. Where you will lose a bit is in shot count. You can stuff a lot more shot into a 12ga than the other two. My 28 I use 3/4oz of 6"s and so far shooting pigeon's for my dogs they are working well.

I'm gonna take my 410 out for rabbit's.
 
If your budget is $400 or less. Go for less and just buy a Rem 870 express. The 20 ga is tuff and durable. Has screw in chokes and is not so pretty, that you will worry about taking it afield. A very good gun for the money (about $225 or less if on sale).
 
My first thought for a carry around rabbit gun would be a Mossberg 500, Benilli Nova, Or Browning BPS, in 20gauge. Personal preference would point me toward a 26in. barrel as the added length will make the gun point better and the weight difference in a 20 would be insignificant. As others have stated, much easier to find ammo in the 20. Don't know about areas of restriction but it would be virtually impossible to find non-toxic loads in a 28.
 
I did'nt read good enough the first time I guess.I did'nt see the part about the 20 gauge being an option until just now.So heres another vote for the Remington 870,I have one and have killed lots of jacks with it.I'd stick with the 2 3/4" 7.5 shot for shooting jackrabbits.I used to shoot them with 3" #4's but I bought a box a few days before pheasant season (December 1st) and about had a cow when I went to pay for them.They were alot more expensive than I remembered them being the last time I bought them.
 
Thanks for all the responses.

I already have an 870 (12 gauge). I bought it around 1980. It's beautiful and looks brand new, with a glossy walnu stock. I've used it a few times on jacks and it was too easy. I think I need a bit more of a challenge. I thought it was a bit cumbersome though, especially with the 28" pipe.

I just purchased a CZ 720 auto-loader (20 gauge), with a walnut stock. I bought it new in the box, from Bud's for $340. It weighs only 6.3 lbs. It's the short stock version, with a 24" barrel and a 13" LOP. I have some health problems and I need something easy to carry on those all day hikes out in the desert. I plan on sticking a thicker recoil pad on it, or use spacers, to extend the LOP to about 13.5". Ideas on the best way to do this are welcome. The other CZ auto's had 14.5" LOP's. That's a wee bit long for me, if I go by the distance between my thumb and nose. I will pass it down to my son in a few years, when he is ready. Of course, an H&R Single-Shot comes first.
 
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Originally Posted By: PecciI already have an 870 (12 gauge). I've used it a few times on jacks and it was too easy. I think I need a bit more of a challenge.

Yeah, that's what I found. Then I got a 20ga. Using it on jackrabbits was so easy it was like cheating. I strictly use hand thrown dirt clods now. That put the sport right back in killing jackrabbits. Plenty cheap too.
 
Originally Posted By: doggin coyotesOriginally Posted By: PecciI already have an 870 (12 gauge). I've used it a few times on jacks and it was too easy. I think I need a bit more of a challenge.

Yeah, that's what I found. Then I got a 20ga. Using it on jackrabbits was so easy it was like cheating. I strictly use hand thrown dirt clods now. That put the sport right back in killing jackrabbits. Plenty cheap too.

Nah, it hadn't rained enough for any dirt clods ... besides who wants to fill their pockets full of dirt?

I think I like the "cream of wheat" idea better .. no offense, doggin coyote!
 
hey pecci! i love my 28, 20 and 410. they all will kill jacks but the 20 is cheaper for ammo. if you reload for the 28 or 410. i have some hulls you can have. try puting a pot holder under your shirt to adjust the lop and hold down recoil.. sew or saftey pin them .hope this helps! i don't live far from you so let me know if you need the hulls! grandpa fudge
 
Originally Posted By: Grandpa Fudgehey pecci! i love my 28, 20 and 410. they all will kill jacks but the 20 is cheaper for ammo. if you reload for the 28 or 410. i have some hulls you can have. try puting a pot holder under your shirt to adjust the lop and hold down recoil.. sew or saftey pin them .hope this helps! i don't live far from you so let me know if you need the hulls! grandpa fudge

That is very generous of you, Grandpa! Thanks for the offer, but I don't reload and I recently went with a 20 gauge auto-loader. Of course being in good ole California, as soon as it is shipped, it's going straight to "gun jail" for 10 days. I do have visitation rights, however.
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I will try your recoil advice, but I may not even need it with the 20.

Merry Christmas, Grandpa Fudge! Have a safe and Happy Holiday!
 
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