the name of the game is pellet count and down range pellet energy. in the back of the winchester and federal ammo catalogs-available at the sporting goods stores- will be the number of pellets in each load for specific pellet sizes. for steel shot, a 1 ounce load of number 2 steel (max load for a factory 20 guage 3 inch shell is 125 pellets. a 1 1/4 ounce load of number 2's has 156 pellets. you can do the math ...more pellets mean denser patterns. it is your call, i shoot 3 inch 20 gauge...a 1 ounce load of 4 shot steel (192 pellets)..over decoys for ducks...i don't recommend that for geese or 40 yard pass shooting)...but i like the 20 gauge and, even though i am in therepy for it, i am not changing. i do have a 12 on the wall, but i am not a goose hunter ( the limit here is only 1 per day ). for grouse and pheasants, we can shoot lead shot...a 3 inch 20 guage load of #6 lead has 281 pellets (1 1/4 ounce load). more than enough. i am not interested in carrying a 7 1/2 pound 12 gauge for 4 hours in the woods. good luck.