I have been gunning grouse & woodcock for 35 years, and I have hunted with a 20, a 2" 12, and 28 and a .410. My lightest 20 is 5# 2 oz, and my 2" 12 is about the same. But my lightest 28 is 4# 5 oz. Three quarters of a pound does not sound like much, but it does add up at the end of the day, or at least it does for me. I often carry my gun for miles and shoot it all too infrequently.
I have a .410 that is 5 ounces lighter yet, and it is OK for pointed woodcock, but I feel that I need a bit more than 1/2 oz of lead for some of the shots that I want to take at grouse.
So bottom line, a featherweight 28 is the lightest weight double that is effective for me.
