I have tried both different shot size and different loads. I no longer use number 9's because it seems like I have too many pellets in a pattern and have wounded or killed an extra bird with just the unintended fringe or had a second bird fly into the pattern down range. I tried 7 1/2 which gave me thinner patterns but I still worry about birds being hit by accident. With today's vast wad selection I load a very light 20 with just under 3/4 ounce 7 1/2s or you could go 5/8 in a 28 but keep the 7 1/2 instead of 9s.

I have given up trying to manage my farms for golden days quail numbers. Those days are gone. One farm has just one covey left that I know of. Use to be seven or more there every year. Makes me feel sad and old just to think about what I had that my kids never will have. To then they have turkeys and deer in number I never had so it is not all bleak for them.