I believe in the effectiveness of lighter loads, 7/8 and 3/4 ounce in the 12ga. I gained confidence in them round after round of shooting trap and skeet. I don't think one poorly place shoot on a duck with a 10ga mag proves a thing other than a golden BB's are good. Bigger is better though, the short 10ga shines as far as care to shoot at clays, crows and waterfowl.