I was raised on a 28 gauge. My dad bought me a single shot 20 gauge. I shot it once and threw it down and went inside the house. I had a bruise for about a week. I told my grandpa who was huge into trap and he gave me a sxs 28 gauge. I was a stone cold dove/duck/crow killer with that little gun. My grandpa left me a Browning Citori O/U in 28 gauge when he passed.