The 28 gauge has a loyal crowd. It’s light to carry, soft on the shoulder and plenty for quail, doves and clays inside normal ranges. Newer tungsten loads have even pushed it into the turkey woods. This page is a data guide to 28 gauge ammo: payload, shot size and published velocity for every load we stock, plus how to read those numbers.
There are no drop charts here. Shot patterns and slugs don’t follow a single trajectory table, and we only print figures the makers publish.
What caliber is 28 gauge?
Gauge is an old measure. It’s the number of lead balls of bore size it takes to make one pound. Twenty-eight balls the size of a 28 gauge bore weigh a pound. That works out to a bore of about .55 inch. So yes, a 28 gauge is bigger than a .410, which is measured directly at .410 inch.
The bigger bore matters. A 28 gauge usually carries 3/4 oz of shot in a 2-3/4 inch shell, while a standard 2-1/2 inch .410 target load carries 1/2 oz. More shot means a fuller pattern at the same distance.
How to read velocity on a shotshell box
Shotshell boxes list muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps). It’s measured from a test barrel, usually a fixed length, under set conditions. Three things to keep in mind:
- It’s the speed at the muzzle. Shot pellets slow down fast. Small pellets slow faster than big ones.
- Your gun will differ. Barrel length, choke and temperature all nudge the real number up or down. High altitude thins the air, so pellets keep their speed a bit longer, but the box number won’t change.
- Energy is per pellet. Makers rarely print energy for shotshells because each pellet carries its own small share. Bigger, denser pellets hold more energy downrange.
Faster isn’t always better. A 1,200 fps target load often patterns more evenly than a hot hunting load, and it kicks less.
28 gauge target loads
Target loads use #7-1/2, #8, #8-1/2 or #9 lead shot. Here’s what we carry.
| Load | Payload | Shot size | Velocity | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester AA 28 Gauge Target Load 3/4 oz #8 | 3/4 oz | #8 | 1,200 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
| Winchester AA Super Sport 28 Gauge 3/4 oz #7-1/2 | 3/4 oz | #7-1/2 | 1,300 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
| Browning BPT 28 Gauge Target Load 3/4 oz #7-1/2 | 3/4 oz | #7-1/2 | 1,300 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
| Federal High Over All 28 Gauge 3/4 oz #8-1/2 | 3/4 oz | #8-1/2 | 1,250 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
| Federal Top Gun 28 Gauge Sporting 3/4 oz #9 | 3/4 oz | #9 | 1,330 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
| Fiocchi Exacta 28 Gauge Target 3/4 oz #7-1/2 | 3/4 oz | #7-1/2 | 1,200 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
| Fiocchi Exacta Heavy Target 28 Gauge 3/4 oz #7-1/2 | 3/4 oz | #7-1/2 | 1,300 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
| Competition One 28 Gauge by B&P, 3/4 oz #7-1/2 | 3/4 oz | #7-1/2 | 1,280 fps | 25-round box |
| Remington STS 28 Gauge Target Load 3/4 oz #8 | 3/4 oz | #8 | 1,200 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
For skeet, small #9 shot like the Federal Top Gun Sporting #9 fills the pattern at close range. For longer sporting clays stations, #7-1/2 like the Winchester AA Super Sport carries a bit more punch.
28 gauge upland and small-game loads
Upland loads run slightly hotter and use #5, #6 or #7-1/2 shot. Plated shot, like nickel or copper plating, helps pellets stay round.
| Load | Shell | Payload | Shot size | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Game Load Upland 28 Gauge Hi-Brass 1 oz #7-1/2 | 2-3/4 in. | 1 oz | #7-1/2 | 1,220 fps |
| Heavy Dove and Quail 28 Gauge by B&P, 15/16 oz #6 | 2-3/4 in. | 15/16 oz | #6 | 1,300 fps |
| Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 28 Gauge 7/8 oz #5 Nickel | 2-3/4 in. | 7/8 oz | #5 | 1,300 fps |
| Winchester Super X 28 Gauge High Brass 3/4 oz #5 | 2-3/4 in. | 3/4 oz | #5 | 1,295 fps |
| Fiocchi High Velocity 28 Gauge 3/4 oz #6 | 2-3/4 in. | 3/4 oz | #6 | 1,300 fps |
| Remington Express 28 Gauge Extra Long Range 3/4 oz #6 | 2-3/4 in. | 3/4 oz | #6 | 1,295 fps |
| Federal Wing-Shok 28 Gauge Copper-Plated 3/4 oz #6 | 2-3/4 in. | 3/4 oz | #6 | 1,295 fps |
| Upland Game 28 Gauge Nickel by B&P, 1 oz #6 | 2-3/4 in. | 1 oz | #6 | 1,210 fps |
| Winchester Super Pheasant 28 Gauge 3 Inch 1-1/8 oz #5 | 3 in. | 1-1/8 oz | #5 | 1,200 fps |
The Winchester Super Pheasant 3 in. 1-1/8 oz #5 is the big-payload option for roosters. It needs a 3 inch chamber. Check the barrel stamp before you buy any 3 inch shell.
Waterfowl and turkey 28 gauge ammo
Steel, bismuth, tungsten and TSS let the 28 gauge hunt birds it once couldn’t. Here’s the non-toxic and turkey lineup.
Turkey loads use dense TSS or Hevi-Shot, so small pellets keep enough energy. The Apex TSS 28 gauge #9 lists 477 pellets. For ducks, bismuth like the Hevi-Bismuth Waterfowl #4 hits harder than steel of the same size. For more on non-toxic choices, read our steel shot shells guide. Waterfowl always calls for non-toxic shot, and turkey rules vary by state.
Which 28 gauge load for which job
- Skeet and close clays: 3/4 oz #8-1/2 or #9.
- Sporting clays and trap: 3/4 oz #7-1/2 or #8.
- Quail and doves: #7-1/2 or #8 lead, or #6 to #7 steel where non-toxic is required.
- Pheasant: #5 or #6, ideally plated.
- Ducks: #3 or #4 bismuth or tungsten, or #3 steel at close range.
- Turkey: #9 TSS, kept to the range you’ve patterned.
Shop 28 gauge ammo
Every load above is in our 28 gauge ammo category. If you’re choosing between small bores, compare with the .410 bore data guide. Buy target shells by the case and hunting loads by the box, and pattern each one before the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caliber is 28 gauge?
A 28 gauge bore measures about .55 inch. Gauge is the number of bore-size lead balls that make one pound, so 28 such balls weigh a pound. It is not a caliber in the rifle sense, but .55 inch is the closest comparison.
Is a 28 gauge bigger than a 410?
Yes. A 28 gauge bore is about .55 inch, while a .410 bore is .410 inch. Standard 28 gauge ammo usually carries 3/4 oz of shot, compared with 1/2 oz in a 2-1/2 inch .410 target load, so the 28 gauge throws a fuller pattern.
What is a 28 gauge shotgun used for?
Most shooters use the 28 gauge for skeet, sporting clays, quail, doves and other small game. Its light recoil makes it a good fit for youth and smaller shooters. With bismuth, tungsten or TSS loads, it can also take ducks and turkeys at sensible ranges.
What is a 28 gauge good for in the turkey woods?
With dense TSS loads, a 28 gauge can put many small pellets on a turkey’s head and neck. Keep shots within the range you’ve patterned on paper. Turkey rules on gauge and shot type vary, so check your state’s regulations first.
