From 1963 into the early 1980s I shot a lot of 1 5/8 ounce lead or Lubaloy 3-inch shells through my 8 3/4 pound HE-Grade Super-Fox that left North 18th Stree and Windrim Avenue chambered for 3-inch shells in July 1928. Two and a half boxes of Remington Arrow Express 3-inch 1 5/8 ounce shells came with the gun when I got it in 1963. I tried a few 1 7/8 ounce loads when I patterned the gun back when I first got it but they produced wildly patchy patterns.
Now, after decades of research, I realize the heaviest loads offered at the time my gun was made were 1 3/8 ounce --
The 12-gauge 3-inch Magnum, with 1 5/8 ounce of shot wasn't introduced until 1935 along with the Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck.
From 2000 into 2002, I had a regular Saturday morning invite to shoot resident Canada Geese in Northern Virginia, and put a goodly number of 2 3/4 inch 1 3/8 ounce and 3-inch 1 5/8 ounce Bismuth through my old Super-Fox.
Can't say what is right for you and your gun, just what I've done with mine over the last fifty years.