Actually I used a 12 ga for almost all my hunting of small game, upland birds, waterfowl, and turkey. However now that I've gotten a bit older and wiser I went out and purchased a 20 ga youth model 870 for my grandson. I liked it so much that I got another one for myself. It is small, light and easy to carry. Over the past 3 years I've used it successfully for upland birds (grouse and pheasants) and turkey. Believe me when I tell you that a big old eastern gobbler does not like being thumped with a load of 3" 4 shot from my little 20 from 25yds. Now my big old 12 is used only for waterfowl and coyotes.