my perferred gun is my remington 870 express shot i handload 1 1/4 or 1 3/8 5 shot and some 4's late in the season. use a federal gold medal hull. and far as im concerned 12ga is the way to go. i started with 20 and still take her a few times a year but i favor the 12 alot. i also take my mossberg silver reserve o/u somtimes. ive got mod in the top and full in the bottom.