I have posted before about my growing more recoil sensitive and trying 410 to help overcome flinch. I love shooting clays with 410 but for game bigger than quail or doves I think out of respect for the game I should use more. I was lucky enough to spend a week in Scotland shooting partridge and pheasant. I used my 20 ga SxS's, both about 6lbs 13 oz. I had asked the outfitter in advance about the load and was assured it would be a standard game load, very close to 7/8 oz. Prior to going over I switched from my 3/4 oz reloads to factory 7/8 oz loads to make sure I was comfortable using them. Not as pleasant but I didn't think it would be a problem. Well the loads turned out to 1400 fps and after every drive I had a headache. So this brings me to the point where I am wondering if I should be switching to 28 ga. 90% of my clays are shot with 3/4 oz loads already unless I am shooting 410.I have never fired a 28 ga. Is there a noticeable difference in felt recoil compared to 20?
Brent nailed the answer. Gauge is not the problem. It's the load, the speed and the weight of the gun. Nothing else matters (except gun fit to some degree).
