My experience has been about the same as GregSy. I have shot a 28 ga for 30 years(M870 Rem)as well as a good friend of min that I have hunted with a lot.. Wild Quail
and Dove have never failed to fall DEAD,much more so than my 20 ga with the same choke. I dont think it is imagination that within 30 yds it kills like a 12 ga. I shoot 3/4 and 7/8 oz.