When I was in my 20s and 30s a 7 1/2lb 12ga 28" barreled Kreighoff 32 seemed light enough for me to carry all day and it swung quickly enough for Ruffs and Desert quail. Then I bought a 20ga Parker VHE which is just a little over 6lbs and hunted that ever since. One day after years with the Parker I took out the M32 and couldn't catchup with anything crossing. Felt like I was swinging a 4x4. I think the issue is really what you practice with enough. Most of my practice is on doves and quail. I have never hunted planted birds. Now I am 74 and I am not going to carry a gun heavier than that Parker, even for sporting clays which I shoot with a Rizzini 20ga which 6lb even and moves like a wand when I need it to.