While I agree a good load of #4's is pure death on pretty much any bird that toys, I think we get too caught up with the idea you need hyper speed and loads to kill pheasants. I whacked the heck out of wild SD roosters in December this year with 7/8oz of #5's from RST. I used my 20ga LC Smith with 26" barrels choked IC/M. The furthest bird killed was on honest 50 yards. If you put the pattern on the bird, the bird dies. It really is that simple and I believe we overthink things too much.