I have to say that I'm somewhat amused by those who feel that a shotgun must be 6 1/2lbs or less to be acceptable for upland hunting. That somehow we all lack the stamina to carry a 7.0 lb shotgun all day and be effective with it. Those southern boys with their Browning Superposed's, Sweet-Sixteen Auto-5's and Model12's busting Quail must be wondering what they've been doing wrong all these years.
Goodness, how many 12 ga, DHE's with 28"-30" barrels served admirably in that capacity over the many years. It's about balance, fit and gun dynamics. In my uneducated youth (before side x sides) I swatted a trainload of Grouse (partridge in these parts) Pheasants, Ducks and the occasional Quail, along with thousands of Skeet targets, with a Remington 1100, with a Cutts on the end of the barrel. Ideal, of course not, except for Skeet. Effective, most assuredly.
Don't let a few ounces one side or the other sway your decision. Buy the gun YOU like.
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