I was wandering through one of the local gun stores the other day and they had two CZ Bobwhite SxS shotguns on the rack, one in 20 gauge and the other in 28 gauge. Both felt pretty good when shouldering them, with the 28g a smidge lighter. I have an older Savage-Stevens 311 in 12 gauge with full choked 30(+?) inch barrels, and while it locks up tight and works fine for what it does, no one is ever going to call it nimble. Most of my grouse hunting has been with one pump gun or another, in either 20, 16, or 12 gauge.
My mind keeps going back to those two Bobwhites as both something different to hunt with and something lighter to carry. I am wondering if in the field there is a lot of practical difference between the 20g and 28g when it comes to upland bird hunting. While shot loads for each come in a variety of weights, it seems the most common field loads for the 20g is 7/8 ounce, while the 28g often comes in 3/4 ounce loads. Does that 1/8 oz make much of a difference? Is recoil similar between the two gauges.
Any input on the gauges appreciated, as well as any experiences with the CZ Bobwhites.
Thanks.
My mind keeps going back to those two Bobwhites as both something different to hunt with and something lighter to carry. I am wondering if in the field there is a lot of practical difference between the 20g and 28g when it comes to upland bird hunting. While shot loads for each come in a variety of weights, it seems the most common field loads for the 20g is 7/8 ounce, while the 28g often comes in 3/4 ounce loads. Does that 1/8 oz make much of a difference? Is recoil similar between the two gauges.
Any input on the gauges appreciated, as well as any experiences with the CZ Bobwhites.
Thanks.