@dgludwig:
Actually, my aversion to having a 16 gauge barrel mated to a 12 gauge frame has to do with the "out of proportion" scale of the receiver, not the weight of the gun.
Back in the late 60's or so, Remington had an 870 20 gauge built on a 12 gauge frame. I believe it was created for skeet shooters used to a 12 gauge weight for the 20 gauge class, so as not to change the weight when shooting either class.
I shot a Rem 870 12 gauge Wingmaster at skeet for a few years before I joined the USAF in 1971. Great gun!
When I came home on leave one weekend to Nebraska I was invited to a pheasant hunt, and my Dad graciously allowed me to use his pet Win Model 12 16 gauge 28" tight full choke while he used his Ruger Red Label 12 O/U. I had never shot it before, but it had a light balance that the 870 did not. I killed two pheasants with two shells with it, one at 60+ yards, using 7 1/2 shot, my Dad's favorite.
I know why Winchester quit producing it because it was too costly to manufacture to compete with other guns, but that 16 gauge was a joy to shoot and even to carry.
A 16 gauge will do anything that a 3" 20 gauge will do.
I think its demise is due to the fact that 12's and 20's fill the spots in between.
Too bad for its demise, but the 16 is a great gauge.
However even though I always wanted a 20ga, I got good enough with the .410 to beat some 12ga companions to the bird with my .410. I had to beat them or lose the argument about whose shot killed it. And since I pretty much only killed what I would eat, I never understood why you would want any more shot in the meat than necessary. Still don't.
I wish I could say the same with a .410. I had a chance once to shoot a Win Model 42 in a round of skeet and I did poorly. I watched the owner do 23 of 25 with it and I was in awe.
If you could do what you said, than I admire your prowess. The last pheasant I killed was with a 16 gauge and the farmers waiting at the end of the field when the bird was viewed by them said it was so shot up that they gladly let me pick out the lead.
Kudos with the .410, sir!