Lindcott Armory Shotgun · SAAMI
28 Gauge
The most capable small-bore shotgun gauge.
- Caliber
- 0.55″ · 13.97 mm
- Introduced
- 1900
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Upland Game, Sporting Clays
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1900
- Type
- Shotgun
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Various (historical)
- Manufacturer
- Various
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Twist (typical)
- N/A (smoothbore)
- Primer
- 209 Shotshell
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 12,500 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 120 yd
- Recoil
- 10–16 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 1,175–1,295 fps · 241 loads
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 28 Gauge ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 13.97 | 0.550 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 15.57 | 0.613 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 15.90 | 0.626 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 17.45 | 0.687 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.55 | 0.061 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 69.85 | 2.750 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 63.50 | 2.500 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 28 Gauge is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 241 active loads across 50 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 241 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismuth | High Velocity | 328 | #7 Bismuth | 1,375 | 1,377 | — |
| Bismuth | High Velocity | 328 | #6 Bismuth | 1,375 | 1,377 | — |
| Clever Mirage | T3 | 218 | #7.5 Shot | 1,350 | 882 | — |
| Baschieri & Pellagri | MB Extra | 218 | #8 Shot | 1,350 | 882 | — |
| Clever Mirage | T3 | 218 | #8 Shot | 1,350 | 882 | — |
| Baschieri & Pellagri | MB Extra | 218 | #7.5 Shot | 1,350 | 882 | — |
| Federal | Speed-Shok Steel | 750 | Steel #4 | 1,300 | 2,814 | — |
| Remington | Nitro-Steel HP | 625 | Steel HP | 1,300 | 2,345 | — |
| Fiocchi | Golden Pheasant #7.5 Nickel | — | #7.5 Nickel-Plated Lead | 1,300 | — | — |
| Remington | Nitro Gold | 656 | Lead #7.5 | 1,300 | 2,461 | — |
| Bismuth | Traditional Upland | 383 | 0.875oz #6 Shot | 1,300 | 1,437 | — |
| Eley | High Velocity | 328 | 0.75oz #6 Shot | 1,300 | 1,231 | — |
| Federal | Game-Shok #7.5 | 750 | Lead #7.5 | 1,295 | 2,792 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X Game | 218 | Lead Shot #6 | 1,295 | 812 | — |
| Federal | American Eagle | 328 | #7.5 Shot | 1,295 | 1,221 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
8 reloading powders listed for 28 Gauge, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 28 Gauge
12 models in the database chamber 28 Gauge. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Developed in the early 20th century as a small-bore option. Found a niche with upland bird hunters who wanted lighter guns. Surprisingly effective because its tight choke patterns compensate for the smaller payload.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 28 Gauge use?
- 28 Gauge typically uses a N/A (smoothbore) twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 28 Gauge?
- 28 Gauge uses a 0.55″ (13.97 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 28 Gauge still in production?
- 28 Gauge is active; typical availability is common.
- What is 28 Gauge used for?
- 28 Gauge is primarily used for upland game, sporting clays.
- What are the best powders for 28 Gauge?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 28 Gauge include Vectan BA10, N310, Red Dot, Clays, among 8 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 241 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →