i use to have a winchester 16 ga by grandpa bought if from a friend and never shot for 8 years. He liked his 12 ga winchester auto to much for pheasant. I shot it about 20 times killed 3 squrriel didnt shoot good slugs but it had a good waterfowl pattern. But i dont hunt upland bird. I use a 12 for rabbit and dove. I geuss my point is i'd rather have a 12 ga.