Practice makes perfect. Perhaps you need more than two days worth of the same?
I'd be much more inclined to look into an individual guns fit, on you, rather than what gauge it is. My Winchester model 12, a first year 20 gauge, became a much better shooting gun when it gained some weight with replacement wood. Most Winchester people would be stunned at that comment, but, I actually shoot my guns, thank you kindly. I watched a woman shoot a youth model 870 Express 20 at the clubs 16 yard trap line today, any you wouldn't want to bet against her.
Another woman had almost the same gun, and didn't hit a thing-but, it was clear it didn't fit her.
That said, I am gravitating away from my 20s and to my 12 and 16 gauges. I never shot wild birds with anything less than a 20, either. But, my reaction time and my vision are not what they once were, and the bigger gauges fall nicely into the holes of those increasing handicaps, and, my originals, including lefthandedness, and not shooting with my master eye (cross-dominance).
A longer barrel and a slip on pad might make the whippy gun more to your liking.
Best,
Ted
