Homeless, I'm recoil shy in the sense I intuitively shoot better with guns of less recoil. The conscious and subconscious of the consequences of firing don't enter it. With the right gun and load, I don't want excessive recoil.

Destry has it right about loads from all accounts I've read and heard from him, particularly with efficacy of No. 4s. Where I grew up it was always No. 4 for all ducks including scoters and whitewings.