RE: 10 guage or 12?
The 10 gauge and 3 1/2 12 gauge have similar ballistics on the charts. Have never shot one of the 3 1/2 12' s but hear they kick. I own a 10- and they kick and are loud. You can blister a turkey at 70-80 yards with the 10 and 6' s. There is no comparison between the 10 and a regular 3 inch 12. With the ten gauge you get a lot of power, range, noise and kick. If you don' t plan on shooting over 40 yards there is no adavantage to the 10, IMO. I bought mine for geese and just shot a few turkeys to see how it did. It is not my gun of choice.