Several years ago I went to my 28ga, about all I shoot now. Going to start the girl friend on it too. But unless you reload, I do, it can get pretty expensive with a 28ga. If she wants a shotgun I'd think the way to start is with a 20 and target loads. I used to load 20ga for the ex and everything was target loads but I changed the shot size for hunting. Largest shot I ever load is #6 shot, works fine on everything I might hunt. There is nothing a 3/4os 20ga can do that a 3/4oz 28ga can't. If I needed more than 3/4oz shot, I have a 16ga. Actually two of them.