Waltwittman has got it right. If you want to get serious about www.uplandbirdhunting.cathen it's got to be 20 gauge. I shoot a 20 gauge beretta silver pigeon o/u, 28 " barrels, with 3" chamber and mobile chokes (usually stick to cylinder and improv. cyl. early in the season, then impr. cyl., and mod later on). It's a dream. It weighs less than 6.5 lbs, which is important if you want to shoulder it quick ( I love ruffed grouse hunting), and plan on hunting all day long. But more important than the make or gauge is the fit - make sure it fits right! Shoulder plenty of guns before you buy one.