In My opinion the 10 ga is the best option for a turkey gun. I have owned several 12 ga turkey guns and they are fine but the 10 ga I just bought has them beat the recoil is not bad at all it is less than the 12 ga 3.5 inch loads I fired and this is because the gun is heavier and the 10 ga patterns better than anyone of the 12 ga guns I have owned. The 10 is a Browning BPS I am shooting 3.5 inch #5 2 1/4 ounce Winchester turkey loads. I am not that big either and can easily handle the 10 ga. But whatever gun you all use to each his own and whatever You like is fine.