Twenty years ago, I bought the H&R single shot NWTF gun of the year, dipped in MO Bottomland camo. It was chambered for 3.5" 12 gauge shells. I shot it four times with the 3.5" shells, was black and blue across my chest and all down my arm. Because I couldn't load a second shot in it, the gun seemed to me to be inadequate as a single shot.
I traded that for a new Mossberg 500 simply so I could carry 3 rounds. That gun's pattern centered 3-4 left and 2-3 low at 40 yards with every shell and choke I tried. Aftermarket sights barely got it straight.
Traded that gun for a Winchester 1300 NWTF edition dipped in MO New Breakup. I shot a Hastings .660 with Supreme #5 lead for a long time with good success. Sweet gun.
Couple years ago I moved to a Jellyhead .660 and Hevi #7, averaging 270+ in a 10" circle at 40 yards. Awesome pattern.
Great gun with a great pattern. But, a pump gun has some weight to it, and last year I started hunting the state forest on a mountain bike, so what did I do?
I found the ol' NWTF edition of the H&R 12 gauge single shot dipped in original Bottomland camo from twenty years ago. Stuck that Jellyhead .660 on it instead, got a similar pattern with the same 3" Hevi #7 shells.
Kicks lot less with the 3" shells, awesome to tote and sling over the shoulder when on the bike. Its just the perfect little gun for hunting the big woods.
To do all over again? I'd go 20 gauge single shot with the Hevi #7. No question. But I like this little 12 H&R a lot, so that will be the gun for a long time coming.
Every gun is a good gun, but it has to match what you want to do and your style of hunting.