The 28 gauge was introduced in 1903 by Parker Brothers, famous for double-barrel shotguns. With a nominal bore diameter of .550-inch, it is considered a "small gauge" shotgun, and 28 gauge is one of the four officlal events in American skeet. Case length is 2 3/4 inches and the standard charge is just 3/4-ounce of shot. That said, with modern shells the 28 gauge is surprisingly effective on both clay targets and upland birds. Although definitely an "expert's shotgun," the 28 gauge has the advantage of low recoil, can be built into very light shotguns, and is much more effective than the .410. Over the years it was kept alive mostly by serious skeet shooters, but today is often chosen by serious upland bird hunters. Because of pellet count it is most effective with smaller shot sizes (7 1/2, 8, and 9), so is rarely employed by waterfowlers.
