One can get extra light 12ga that is as light as 16ga game gun. French doubles w/o bottom rib come to mind. The big upside to 12ga is wide variety of loads including low recoil ones even in BK shot and slugs. The only bright spot for 16ga is that Kent Bismuth 1oz load is less expensive than 12ga counterpart. While 16ga is better than 20ga it isn't better than 12ga.