Miller,
I meant that the pheasant (wild), being a larger and tougher bird, could be a reason to use a 12g (larger pattern/more density, able to use a larger shot size for better penetration while maintaining denser pattern, etc). It was stated as my opinion. Nothing more, no apologies needed from either of us.
Just my opinion again, but I think the better questions would be 'whats a large enough gauge for reasonable (or insert 'maximum' in place) success when hunting _________ birds?" Then with an explanation of a person's shooting/hunting skills a better recommendation could be made.
Like someone said, a 10g is a better killer than a 12g. But then not many of us desire to carry one for a day of upland hunting, doubly so if it involves hilly country. But hey, the Govenator could carry an 15 lb eightbore further/longer than I can carry a 6 lb 20g. So, everybody's different.
And I still like to hunt this stuff. So, I've become a bit weight conscious while still having a desire for the American doubles. Often that means small guages just to get down to the continental 12g weights.
