28 is the choice for quail and woodcock. Many southern side by side gents consider it the finest of the finest. Yankees are 12 ga. and 20 ga. fellers, as pheasants and the like seem to make for a poor shootin' yankee's lack of finesse.
It's one of the four gauges for skeet. Open bore, normally shot with a 12. Then 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 caliber. A full day of competition would be 400 shots. 4 rounds of 25 of each, 12 (open bore), 20, 28, and .410.
If you're ever been on a mule drawn cart, southern quail hunt, a 28 side by side seems to be the native's choice. At least it is for those with a touch of class surrounding them. Very gentlemanly.