Chuck,
20 makes a hell of a lot of sense, and always has. The 28 makes lots of sense, too-for the gun builders that charge more for a gun in this gauge, ammunition makers, retailers, etc, you get my point.
I think a lot of 20s actually are too light, and would be better suited at 28 gauge at that weight, say, less than 6 lbs. M. McIntosh spelled out that his 28 was to weigh 6 lbs when he bought it, and a lot of 20s don't weigh that. I think that is where Gene Hill's famous (but, foolish) "20s are bitey" comment came from. Had he tried a heavier 20 ga. gun, lighter loads, or both, it may have made him a believer in the gauge, too.
You can find 12, 16 and 20 at my house of all different types, save autoloaders (for heathens). Using a 16 on real, wild pheasants last Friday, I had a big, tough old bird that took a centered hit of English 5s from my 16, which broke both wings, and penetrated both sides of his heart. He still ran like hell, and my little English Setter spent enough time and energy in pursuit that, when it was over, she laid down with the bird pinned under one paw in the corn and panted, unable to retrieve the bird to me (it was warm). Use enough gun. For late season wild pheasants, (reading this board I am begining to think real, wild pheasants are endangered, with all the talk of pen raised birds, which, is NOT hunting, not even close, which is what the original question was, I think) I don't think that gun is a 28.
Maybe grouse. Maybe woodcock. If you like spending more money, for less.
Best,
Ted
