Shooters can select plain or fancy, double-barreled, semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns. Obviously, the 12-gauge is the default for shotguns and for good reasons, but the 20-gauge might actually be the better choice for home defense.Moreover, it is an arguably better choice for that purpose for basically all the same reasons that 9mm has eclipsed .45 ACP and .357 Magnum as the default handgun round for personal protection. 28 gauge steel has an average thickness of .0187 (minimum .0157) and 26 gauge is .0217 (minimum .0187). All that being said, it is important to know that 28 gauge shells are becoming quite a bit more expensive than the more common 12 gauge and 20 gauge shells. Now for the little shotgun that remains largely unknown: the 28-gauge. FAIR SLX600 Black, Over/Under, 28 Gauge, 28" Barrels, European Walnut Stock, 2 Rounds GAUGE TO THICKNESS CHART Gauge Stainless Galvanized Sheet Steel Aluminum Fraction inches (mm) inches (mm) inches (mm) inches (mm) … The most common shotguns found in the dove fields are 20-, 16- or 12-gauge. History of the gauge system. Gauge (or gage) sizes are numbers that indicate the thickness of a piece of sheet metal, with a higher number referring to a thinner sheet. or more, or for the more bulky steel shot loads-12 gauge is the logical choice. For example, in one gauge system, 18 gauge steel measures 0.0478 inches thick, but 18 gauge aluminum is 0.0403 inches thick. One fellow I know explains its ability to perform tasks that appear to be far beyond the performance capabilities … The smallest shotgun used for hunting purposes is the .410 for rabbits and squirrels, typically, while the largest is the 10 gauge for geese and swans. The truth is that the 28 will never become as popular as the 12- or 20-gauge, but it does have its fair share of fans. The equivalent thicknesses differ for each gauge size standard, which were developed based on the weight of the sheet for a given material. All allow for fast follow-up shots. Plenty of tactical experts swear by a 20-gauge because it has plenty of energy to stop a threat, yet in general the guns are lighter and easier to wield than a 12. I have absolutely no experience in shooting a 28-gauge, but speaking with those that do, the 28 is lethal inside its effective range of 30 yards. Because of the varying thicknesses, a gauge chart should be used to ensure the metal meets the required dimensions. to 1-3/4 oz. As for gauge, if you have no need for any payloads heavier than 1-1/4 oz., either a three inch chambered 20 ga. or a 16 gauge is more than adequate. 29 gauge steel (the standard in the post frame industry) has an average thickness of .0172 of an inch (with a minimum of .0142). The big 12-gauge semi-auto takes center stage as the most popular. For heavier payloads, 1-3/8 oz. Shotguns are sized according to the bore diameter. The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) publishes the accepted measurement standards for steel thickness. The 28 gauge will never become as popular among American hunters as the 12 gauge but it does have its share of fans. Really, while the 12 gauge is inarguably versatile, you really need at least two guns in varying weights to maximize 12 gauge potential. From left: .410, 28-gauge, 20-gauge, 16-gauge, 12-gauge, 10-gauge. Some even use 28 gauge shotguns to bring down ringnecks and, believe it or not mallards and Canada geese! 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