Where I live and hunt (N. Wis.)it's grouse and woodcock in cover so thick a 25 yard shot is long.I average 5 miles walking per bird in the bag so a light 16 is the best "tool" and it's also the most aesthetically pleasing to my eye.I think most northern US grouse and woodcock cover is similar and most classic upland writers favored small bores so anyone starting out would "inherit" those ideas if not the actual small bore guns.