I find very few shots that stay in squirrels with rem express #6 , the ones that stay in the squirrel are easy removed doing skinning. I think the large shot would damage more meat. I mainly use a 20ga now but doing fall Turkey season I switch to a 12 ga. Been using #6 shot for years not a problem. Longer range Fox squirrels I some times use rem nitro mag 6 shot.I use a full choke also I aim for the eye.