i have a 16 ga 870. I love that gun. In fact, i sometimes prefer it over my 12. I have no idea why. Maybe just cuz it's a "16". I find shells in #6 #7 1/2, and slugs for this all over the place. Wal-mart, kmart, gander etc... for the same price as the 12 guage. I got a box of 20 shells for $3 even at gander the other day (#6 shot). I am thinking about using this deer season for the heavy brush. I got a box of 5 2.75 sluts for $1.89 last week too.