I started shooting with a .410 side by side with hammers. I think it is very tightly choked. I remember the dust explosions at fair distances and they were not wide. Still have grandpas shotgun but haven't used it for years.

Thankfully that one was well oiled in and did not suffer as much from the rust in Dad's shed safe before I rescued them back

Other than that I have only used the 12 gauge.

Perhaps have shot a 20 gauge of a friends.

There used to be a lot of good cheap 16 gauge old side by sides in the gunshops for good prices, but that has dried up I think. A lot of the people born in Continental Europe or of that descent had 16 gauges. Ammo was not easily available for it.

Must read the article!

PS NEver seen a 24 gauge, and heard of but never seen a 28 gauge.