Geo, you get what I mean. You mention the south, but here in the north with pheasants and sharpies, a shot size six is most effective and safer than larger shot for dogs. From Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, and Kansas I have taken hundreds of the above over dogs with 6 shot. Some shots, even with a 20 bore and 7/8 oz were surprisingly long, but never made unless there is daylignt under the bird. I have watched guys , some with autoloaders, fire multiples of size 4 or 5 shot at upland birds. Well, that's just my thought and experience.
