Hagen
I'm not much of a shot, average pretty well sums up my skill level. However, for the kind of shots you describe an open choked gun loaded with nearly anything will do the job. When I lived in Illinois and "hunted" planted pheasant I found an open choked .410 loaded with 3" shells and #7.5 shot worked just fine. What you need to be concerned with is the loads that'll consistently drop birds at 40+ yards.
Just my 2 cents.
Steve

Last edited by Rockdoc; 10/26/07 01:52 PM.
Approach life like you do a yellow light - RUN IT! (Gail T.)