Nor is there any particular advantage in a 16 over a light 12 when shooting 1 oz loads.

The real advantage to light 12s is that there is so many more truly fine guns available in light 12s than there are similar quality 16s. A second advantage is that those 12s usually do not suffer the inflated price of the smaller bore.

I won several of each, and when the seasons end each year, my journal shows that I hunt more with those 6 pound 12s in my safe than I do with any of the 16s.

Why? Because the light 12s I own are really nicer guns than the 16s I have found. That's not to say they are not out there, but those I have seen were priced far above what a similar quality 12 in my safe cost.

bc