I'm finding out I'm no expert shooter. Big surprise! The 20ga provides all the challenge I need most times, even with little quail. To me, it's all about getting the pattern on the bird. I seem to have sufficient difficulty, on these quick little quail and the difficult cover, with a 1 oz 12g or a 7/8 oz 20ga.

I'm not particularly sensitive (my wife says regularly) ... to recoil. Most of the 20ga guns are light enough for me to comfortably carry all day and heavy enough for me to shoot well ... well maybe just acceptably.