As Joe points out: Theoretically, for a given shot charge, the larger the bore, the better the pattern. That being said, I've played around with a 28ga enough to believe--without comparing patterns to either a 12 or a 20 using 3/4 oz--that the little bore throws pretty darned good patterns. 12ga, I'm a magnum guy: I shoot mostly 7/8oz at targets. And I can remember when that would have been considered WAY light in a 12.