I force myself to take the other side. Though I am a big believer in light loads for 27yd trap and stuff shot out to about a max of 40 yards. Especially, for repetitive shooting. But fast loads make a significant difference in hitting and especially killing things further out. Especially, at the extremes of range.
In the buddy/annie/miss & out/follow the leader etc. crowds you darn well better have a fast 1 1/8 oz. load to compete. A little more is better.
For killing birds, the answer includes using big shot. You can kill big wild pheasants nicely at great distance with 1 1/4 oz of #4 (#5 are ok). But you want some speed so there is shock power left. That is what kills things. Anwar Sadat never had one bullet hit him with a mortal wound. He died from shock. Shock kills almost all game birds. Especially, when they go down stone dead. At the extreme end of range, big shot that started off fast kills lots better.
Jake
