Probably you can find a recipe for 1-1/8oz of #5s at 1,150 or 1200 fps that would be effective and endurable. Other thing is that every gun I have patterned kicks ten times as much at the pattern board as it does when shot at game.
My opinion - the 1400 fps 1-5/8 oz turkey loads and the special turkey chokes are all marketing hype designed to increase the effectivenss of the factory sales department. I have jumped turkeys while out quail hunting and killed them with an 1-1/8 oz of #8s at 25 yards. I don't do it anymore but I have done it.
Best,
Mike
