The first bird I took was with a 20ga with a mod choke. I shoot a 12ga 835 now, but bought my sons the Mossberg bantam last year and wonder why I didn't stick with the 20ga. A LOT LESS recoil, weight, shorter gun, etc. I did take it a couple times last year while they were in school. LOL I bought an aftermarket choke from Cabela's for it and it patterns awesome.