Okay, I'll chime in. lately I've been killing pheasants at closer ranges over my setter with very light (6k psi) 1oz. loads of #5's, to great effect out to 30 yds. I've also been on a couple duck hunts with Kent's gamebore 2.5" 1 1/16oz #5's and those have likewise done well out to 35 yds, but mostly closer. Almost any reasonable choke/load combo will work out to that range. However, as the season gets longer and the birds get warier, I expect many of my shots to be 35-45 yds, and I won't be doing that with light loads in 6 lb. guns. I have my eye on a 34" heavy damascus fowler, and I expect to shoot some stout loads through it. I think magnums have their place, but certainly not for all around general use.

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