[stinkeypete]

While a 3" 20 gauge can do just about everything a 16 can, a 2 3/4" 20 can not.

I shoot pheasants and am set to drive north for grouse this autumn.

While some are restricted to small, tender little preserve birds that sit tight until flushing, pheasants in the wild are about twice as big, twice as durable and run and flush much farther out.

My usual pheasant load is 1 1/4 ounce of #5 at 1220 fps.
3" 20 gauge can do that, working very hard to get just the factory shells or handload recipe.
2 3/4 16 gauge can just manage it.
2 3/4 20 gauge.. nope. Not enough room for shot.

As a grouse gun? Hard to beat 1 ounce loads...

But late season pheasants? Well.. time to pull out the gas semi auto 12 gauge and heavy artillery shells.

I am fortunate to live in a state with both pheasants and grouse!
So I just refurbished a 25" Ithaca Model 37 16 gauge with a Polychoke. I was surprised at the pattern board! Polychokes work!