I'm really surprised that no one mentions Brister's book & research on the subject. I always thot it gave honest credit for the gauge's cult like following.
Skeet [NSSA] has a specific 28ga. event as does Sporting Clays [NSCA]; both of those events help to keep the gauge alive & viable. Cost of factory ammo reflects that isn't "everyman's gun" anymore than a .410 is today.
They can be light, delights to carry in the rough and seemingly kill in a manner disproportionate to their bore. Its a fact. Brister went to a lot of trouble to find out why and published the results of his findings.
FWIW, 28 gram [1oz.] 28ga. loads wore out/broke a number of model 1148 Remington's used by bird hunters. I've a friend whose father broke [the receivers developed cracks] two of them using those rounds when they were made by Federal. His guns got a LOT of use.
